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James K. Polk Quotes

11th U.S. President

James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. Known for his foreign policy and the expansion of the United States' territory, he is particularly remembered for his role in the Mexican War, which significantly increased the country's land area.

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Famous James K. Polk Quotes

“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.”

May States Government Opinion Teaching Exercise Office Constitution Assuming Presidential Appropriate Federal Government Public Opinion

Author:James K. Polk

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

States Church Connections Constitution Separation Thank God Church And State Separation Of Church And State Separation Between Church And State

Book:The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency

Source: The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency

“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.”

Source: Messages and Papers of the Presidents: James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, and Franklin Pierce

“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.”

States Together Peace Written Constitution Independent Unions Compromise Offspring Binding Concessions Compact

Author:James K. Polk

“No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.”

States Church Freedom Perfect Opinion Unions Creeds Church And State Sects

Author: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.”

People Should States Whole Action President United Party Principles History United States Chosen Chiefs Officials World History Magistrates

Author: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.”

People States Together Representatives Providence Almighty Deliberate Almighty God Public Good

Book:Messages and Papers of the Presidents: James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, and Franklin Pierce

Source: Messages and Papers of the Presidents: James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, and Franklin Pierce

“Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between Church and State, and that in my action as President of the United States I recognized no distinction of creeds in my appointments office.”

States Action President Church United United States Office Connections Constitution Separation Presidential Distinction Thank God Creeds Church And State Separation Of Church And State Appointments Separation Between Church And State

Author:James K. Polk

“I cannot, whilst President of the United States, descend to enter into a newspaper controversy.”

States President United United States Newspapers Controversy

Author:James K. Polk

About the Author

Born: November 2, 1795
Died: June 15, 1849
Known for: 11th U.S. President
Quotes: 31

Books & Sources

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; Volume 4Related source material

Messages and Papers of the Presidents: James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, and Franklin PierceRelated source material

The Diary of James K. Polk During His PresidencyRelated source material

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