It is confidently believed that our system may be safely extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial limits. James K. Polk More Quotes by James K. Polk More Quotes From James K. Polk No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure. James K. Polk patriotic political president 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 oregon california independent We must ever mandate the principle that the people of this continent alone have the right to decide their own destiny. James K. Polk destiny history people Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between church and state. James K. Polk connections thank-god church One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. James K. Polk majority minorities rights Under the blessings of Divine Providence... 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 humility religious blessing All distinctions of birth or of rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection. James K. Polk birth citizens rights I cannot, whilst President of the United States, descend to enter into a newspaper controversy. James K. Polk united-states newspapers president Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our government. James K. Polk appreciate government character With me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses. James K. Polk presidency bed-of-roses presidential Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world. James K. Polk patriotic sublime country If a man . . . would shake and not be shaken, grip and not be gripped, taking care always to squeeze the hand of his adversary as hard as it squeezed him, then he suffered no inconvenience from it. James K. Polk political men hands The gratitude ... should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy. James K. Polk gratitude should blessing 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 errors government president 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. James K. Polk party history people There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S. James K. Polk selfishness presidential political Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression. James K. Polk shields constitution minorities 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 independent together peace The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government. James K. Polk government ambition military No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds. James K. Polk freedom church perfect
