James K. Polk

North Carolina · born or raised1795–1849

President of the United States from 1845 to 1849 (1795–1849)

Born in Pineville
Studied at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

politician, lawyer, statesperson, planter class, governor, jurist

Quotations with a citation

Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.

By the theory of our Government majorities rule, but this right is not an arbitrary or unlimited one. It is a right to be exercised in subordination to the Constitution and in conformity to it. One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government.

The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.

Although in our country the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a part only, but of the whole people of the United States. While he executes the laws with an impartial hand, shrinks from no proper responsibility, and faithfully carries out in the executive department of the Government the principles and policy of those who have chosen him, he should not be unmindful that our fellow-citizens who have differed with him in opinion are entitled to the full and free exercise of their opinions and judgments, and that the rights of all are entitled to respect and regard.

It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.

Our policy is not only peace with all, but good will toward all the powers of the earth.

The passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.

Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between church and state.

There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress, as well as others, than I had any conception [of], before I became President of the U.S.

With me it is emphatically true that the presidency is "no bed of roses."

Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good. The gratitude of the nation to the sovereign arbiter of all human events should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy. Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.

No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure. If he entrusts the details and smaller matters to subordinates constant errors will occur. I prefer to supervise the whole operations of the government myself rather than entrust the public business to subordinates, and this makes my duties very great.

I am heartily rejoiced that my term is so near its close. I will soon cease to be a servant and will become a sovereign.

I love you Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.

In the libraries

Open Library Approval of the Oregon bill · 1848 View library record ↗ Open Library Correspondence of James K. Polk · 1969 View library record ↗ Open Library Correspondence of James K. Polk, 1817-1832 · 1972 View library record ↗ Open Library Message from the president of the United States, in answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 29th January, relative to correspondence on the subject of Oregon · 1846 View library record ↗ Open Library The Diary of James K. Polk during his Presidency, 1845 to 1849, now first printed from the original manuscript in the collections of the Chicago Historical Society · 1910 View library record ↗

Read James K. Polk

Correspondence of James K. Polk 1969 Find a copy Message from the president of the United States, in answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 29th January, relative to correspondence on the subject of Oregon 1846 Find a copy Approval of the Oregon bill 1848 Find a copy The Diary of James K. Polk during his Presidency, 1845 to 1849, now first printed from the original manuscript in the collections of the Chicago Historical Society 1910 Find a copy Correspondence of James K. Polk, 1817-1832 1972 Find a copy