Mr.Polk had been chosen Speaker by a majority of thirteen.

The Whigs had thus practically consolidated their party against a vote of courtesy to the presiding officer of the House.
Mr.Polk's situation was in the highest degree embarrassing, but he behaved with admirable coolness and self-possession.

He returned his thanks to the "majority of the House," which had adopted the resolution, significantly emphasizing the word "majority." He said he regarded the vote just given "as of infinitely more value than the common, matter-of-course, customary resolution which, in the courtesy usually prevailing in parliamentary bodies, is passed at the close of their deliberations." His reference "to the courtesy usually prevailing in parliamentary bodies" was made, as an eye- witness relates, with "telling accent, and with a manner that was very disconcerting to the Whigs." His address was scrupulously confined to "the majority of the House," and to the end Mr.Polk exhibited, as was said at the time, "a magnificent contempt for the insulting discourtesy of the Whigs." EARLY CAREER OF JAMES K.POLK.
The incident was made very prominent in the ensuing canvass in Tennessee, where Mr.Polk won a signal victory, and was installed as governor.

The Democrats treated the action of the House as a deliberate insult, not merely to the Speaker, but to his State, and not only to his State, but to the venerable ex-president, whose residence at the Hermitage, in the judgment of his devoted followers, made Tennessee illustrious and almost sacred ground.

Jackson himself was roused to intense indignation, and, though beyond threescore and ten, was active and unceasing in his efforts to insure a victory to Mr.Polk.