Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/126

94 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS concerned in an "affair of honor," either as prin cipal or as second. In August, 1825, he was elected to congress from the Duck river district, in which he resided, by a flattering majority, and re-elected at every succeeding election until 1839, when he withdrew from the contest to become a candidate for governor. On taking his seat as a member of the 19th con gress, he found himself, with one or two exceptions, the youngest member of that body. The same habits of laborious application that had previously characterized him were now displayed on the floor of the house and in the committee-room. He was prominently connected with every leading ques tion, and upon all he struck what proved to be the key-note for the action of his party. During the whole period of President Jackson s administration he was one of its leading supporters, and at times, on certain issues of paramount importance, its chief reliance. His maiden speech was made in defence of the proposed amendment to the consti tution, giving the choice of president and vice- president directly to the people. It was distin guished by clearness and force, copiousness of re search, wealth of illustration, and cogency of argu ment, and at once placed its author in the front rank of congressional debaters. During the same session Mr. Polk attracted attention by his vigor ous opposition to the appropriation for the