Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-05-05
Vice President King.

The Washington Union gives the following
brief sketch of Vice President Kings life and
character. The loss of such patriot and such
man may we'll cause nation to mourn =
Colonel King was born on The 9th of April,
1876, in Sampson county, North Carolina
After completing his education at the univer-
sty of his native Safe. he became a student
of law in the Office of William Duffy, of Fa-
elteville. AT the age oflwenty he was elect
ed representative of his native county in
the legislature OF the State. AT the age of
twentY-four he was chosen representative
in Congress from the Wilmington district,
and OF the party which advocated and sup
ported the war Of 1879 he was jealous and
consistent member. In the spring OF 1916
he resigned his seat in the House of Repre-.
sentatives, and accompanied William PincI1>
ney, Of Maryland, as secretary of legation,
first to Naples and then to St. Petersburgh,
10 which courts MIR. Pinckney was sent as
minister plenipotentary. On his return to
the United States, in the winter Of 18lS-'1s,
Mr.. King fixed his residence in Dallas coun-
ty, in the then Territory Of Alabama. lie
was elected a member of the convention to
establish State government, aud was ap-
pointed on the committee TO frame consti-
tuition. With tile Hon. John w. Walker, he
was elected one of The first two senators " ho
represented Alabama in the Congress Of the
United States. In 1923, in 1894, and in 1910,
he was reelected 10 the Senate. In 1914 he
accepted the mission 10 France, with the es>
pecial object OF facilitating the annexation of
Texas. He was remarkably successful in his
mission, having by his skill and prudence en-
trely prevented the opposition OF the French
government to that measure. In 1S47 lie
was made senator from Alabama, by appoint
ment Of the governor, 10 Gil vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation of the Hon. Arthur
p. Bagby, sent minister 10 Russia. In 1549
he was elected by the legislature for full
term Of six years. In $780, on the accession
of Mr.. Fillmore 10 the presidency, he was
unanimously chosen President OF the Senate.
BY the Baltimore Convention Of the Cd June,
1852, he was made The democratic candidate
for the vice presidency, and was elected 10
that Office by the people in the ensuing No.
vember. In the winter OF l65l-'52 Col King
began to suffer from pulmonary affection,
which gradually grew so alarming in its
symptoms That he was advised to seek allevi-
alion in a tropical climate. Accordingly, in
the month Of February he sought repose and
relief in the island of Cuba; but discovering
that his disease was fatal, he determined to
die in his own land. In our issue OF yesier.
day we gave an account of his return 10 Mo-
bile. His wasting strength barely survived
the journey TO his home m the country
Scarcely bad he crossed the threshold Of his
house when he sank 10 the repose of death.
~ Colonel King was never married. but
throughout life, as in the Inst struggle with
death, he enjoyed the affecIionate regard and
kind mnlstrstions of the most attached
friends and relatives. He was of a nature to
win the warnest regard of his personal
friends, and to command the respect of ALL
OF sound judgment, maenanimous hear, IN.
trepid courage, and the incest sense orhonor
he was the very model ola gentleman. Irs,
in all his relations with the world. cour,eous
and conciliatory in his manners, generous in
his impulses, he lived life OF unusual Ieno,h
and responsibility, without mourning the
blemish OF solitary reproach on his honor
This country has produced no man whose
character can better bear the severest scruti-
ny. AS statesman, his qualities were rath-
er sale and solid than splendid and dazzling.
Soundness ofjudgmeht, fertility of resource,
penetrating sagacty, an infexibIlity, fdeli-
~ 10 principle, prudence and caution, gave
htm that weight in counsel and that control
OF others which the more brilliant, but less
usetii intellect can never command. His
public life was an uninterrupted series of sue.
cesses. No man enjoyed in larger measure
the confidence otshose who were capabIe of
approaching bis worth, as is attestei hv his
repeated election to the presidency pro tenn.
ofihe Senate, and by the high esteem OF; ev-
cry eminent statesman Of every party in the
country. When q man Of such unsuied