A national debt has become almost an institution of European monarchies. It is viewed in some of them as an essential prop to existing governments. Melancholy is the condition of that people whose government can be sustained only by a system which periodically transfers large amounts from the labor of the many to the coffers of the few. James K Polk
All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection. No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government. James K Polk
General Taylor is, I have no doubt, a well-meaning old man. He is, however, uneducated, exceedingly ignorant of public affairs, and I should judge, of very ordinary capacity. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
I cannot adequately express the horror I feel for a man who can be so base as to veil his hypocrisy under the cloak of religion, and state the base falsehood he has done. James K Polk
I cannot, whilst President of the United States, descend to enter into a newspaper controversy. James K Polk
I love you Sarah. For all eternity, I love you. James K Polk (last words, to his wife)
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. James K Polk
It is not questioned that the Federal Government is one of limited powers. Its powers are such, and such only, as are expressly granted in the Constitution or are properly incident to the expressly granted powers and necessary to their execution. James K Polk
Mr. Buchanan is a man of talents & is fully competent to discharge the high duties of Secretary of State, but it is one of his weaknesses (and perhaps all great men have such) that he takes on & magnifies small matters into great & undeserved importance. James K Polk
No person can be more deeply sensible than myself of the danger of entangling alliances with any foreign nation. That we should avoid such alliances has become a maxim of our policy consecrated by the most venerated names which adorn our history and sanctioned by the unanimous voice of the American people. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
Ours was intended to be a plain and frugal government, and I shall regard it to be my duty to recommend to Congress and, as far as the Executive is concerned, to enforce by all the means within my power the strictest economy in the expenditure of the public money which may be compatible with the public interests. James K Polk
Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world. James K Polk
Public opinion: May it always perform one of its appropriate offices, by teaching the public functionaries of the State and of the Federal Government, that neither shall assume the exercise of powers entrusted by the Constitution to the other. James K Polk
Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between church and state. James K Polk
The Constitution itself, plainly written as it is, the safeguard of our federative compact, the offspring of concession and compromise, binding together in the bonds of peace and union this great and increasing family of free and independent States, will be the chart by which I shall be directed. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
The people of the United States have no idea of the extent to which the President’s time, which ought to be devoted to more important matters, is occupied by the voracious and often unprincipled persons who seek office. James K Polk
The President’s power is negative merely, and not affirmative. James K Polk
The whole frame of the Federal Constitution proves that the government which it creates was intended to be one of limited and specified powers. James K Polk
The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government. James K Polk
There are four great measures for my administration – a reduction of tariff, an independent treasury, settlement of the Oregon boundary and acquisition of California. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
Though I occupy a very high position, I am the hardest working man in the country. James K Polk
Twelve months ago this day, a very important conversation took place in cabinet between myself and Mr. Buchanan. It was this circumstance which first suggested to me the idea, if not the necessity, of keeping a journal or diary of events and transactions which might occur during my presidency. I resolved to do so & accordingly procured a blank book for that purpose on the next day, in which I have everyday since noted whatever occurred that I deemed of interest. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
We have a country as well as a party to obey. James K Polk
We must ever mandate the principle that the people of this continent alone have the right to decide their own destiny. James K Polk
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. James K Polk
With me it is emphatically true that the presidency is “no bed of roses.” James K Polk
Message to Congress May 11 1846 on Mexican-American War (1846-8)
The cup of forbearance had been exhausted even before the recent information from the frontier of the Del Norte. But now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war.
As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interests of our country. . . .
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to recognize the existence of the war, and to place at the disposition of the Executive the means of prosecuting the war with vigor, and thus hastening the restoration of peace.