The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-10


OF ALABAMA.
On he as Of me late Hon Nm X. King; delivered an TIC
House Of Representatives, IhsrSday. DEC. s, 1858.
MIR. HARRIS, Of Alabama, rose and said
Mr. SPEAKER: The udings OF the mournful event
which The resolution IRON the Senate 10 intended 10
mennonite, have month"; ago been berzlded 10 every
hamlet OF our wide spread confederacy, aud the gene
hearts Of distant lands have mingled their
gres with own, that wise and vivtu0us and distin
sushed man has been stricken from the number OF earhs
children Tears have ceased 10 How aud hearts The most
deeply penetrated by the affecting visitation OF Providence
have learned TO contemplate with tina, spirit Of resgna
lion which time ever supplies medicine for the so-
rows OF earth.
But. in conformity with solemn and impressive usage.
the Senate, over whose debeIauons The distinguished
dead long presided with such marked ability. pauses
from lis lab0Ts to consecrae brief day 10 the memory oil
WILLIAM K. KING. And while the sympathzing sons
OF sister States gather around his bier. crave The ndu
gence Of the House OF Representatives while. IN behalf
Of the State OF Alabama, offer the tribute OF her hon.
age and respect to the memory OF her most distinguished
citizen
Recent events familiar to us ALL render any
hng than cursOry aus0n 10 the politicai ser
vices of WILLIAM X. KING.
Hewas born on the 7lh day OF April. 1885, in the State
OF North Carolina. Coming into being almost co,empo-
taneousy with the adoption OF our feceal constitution.
his evenful and prolracted life OF the most
remar kable periods in the history Of the world When
the dawn OF manhood first began to open upon
him, the great experiment oil self-goyernmen, whose
pncl les were evolved from revolutionary struggle,
had Just fairly emerged from the misty domain OF specu-
laon and assumed the form and semblance OF a pho,
sophicaI truth. Instinct with the spirit OF the age, and
lrue he proved to BIZ through life to the principles OF
the republican school, be connected bis fortunes with
that party who claimed the opponents OF Their political
faith, Jefferson and Madison.
He had no sooner attained his majority than he
elected member OF the legislature from his native
county. He reelected the ensuing year; but the
legislature, OF which be member, having confer
red uIon him The socilorshp OF The judicial circuits ~
which he resided he resigned his seat in that body In
$780, lie had attained the prescribed BY the
nhor< from
the Wilmington district, in which body be continued TO
serve until the year 1916 During this period OF Ameri-
can history there Just ascending from the verge OF the
political horizon, and rapidly tending towards the zenith
names which destined illustrate the greatness OF
our country, and mpress themselves mperishaby upon
her monumental records. That immortal lrumvira,e
Calhoun, Clay and Webster, Tor whose deceasc the sa
BILE habilmens OF the nations woe have scarce dsap-
peaTed just then beginning 10 exhibit the giant pro-
portions Of their unmatched inteects, and enhancing
their counymen and the world by the electric power Of
their resstless eloquence. Randolph and Lowndes
were there oo-aRd other great names indebly secured
by the diamond pen OF hlsory's muse. Among these
stood WILLIAM X. KING, co-worker and compeer
Differing somewhat from them all in many oil those great
attributes OF mind which dazzle and lead captive the
admiring thropg. yet in all The elements which go to
make up the useful egslaior--in prudence. caution,
irmness wisdom, and patriotism with them
the same proud pedestal and lending hrs influence and
his voice the successful vndcaon OF Stree trade and
In 1916, Mr. King, having been rendered the appoint
ment OF secretary OF legation under Mr. Plnckney, re-
signed his seat in Congress- and accompanied that DIS
statesman, first TO Naples. and afterwards to
ST Petersburgh. Having returned home at the explra-
on OF years. he determined TO break from the en-
dearmenis Of his faherand and cast his fortunes ~ the
then almost unpeopled wilds OF distant Alabama This
land was 10 constitute the theatre OF bis alter use
fitness. God gave him sufficient length OF days to see
"the wilderness blossom as The rose and behold the
Territory which he had adopted as his home emerge
from crysas state 10 the ul-blown condilion OF
sovereign party TO the Union, and, under the nururng
appliances oil intellect and industry. attaining degrees OF
|
Soon alter Mr. KINGS arrival in the Territory he was
deputed delegate 10 the convention which assembled 10
organize a Slate government. To the performance OF
The delicate and responsible duties OF this new position
he brought the aid OF that maured experience be had
gathered in the councils OF this Union, aAd was one oil
the most and efficient OF those who laid the found
atoms OF Stale policy So soon as the constitution
was put in operation he chosen OF the senators
from that State in The Congress OF The United States
From that period, Mr.. Speaker. to the time when the
OF all the people OF this Union called WILLIAM H.
KING 10 the second office IN their git-a period OF more
tnan thirty years-he continued TO speak Tor Alabama
upon the floor oil The Senate saving The brief period oil
TWO years. during which time he represented this gov
eminent al of ST. Cloud In verify. he was to
Alabama true and faithful son. ss sne was W., unto mn
patriots Duty for his entire life was devoted 10 his
countrys service.
As NAV Justly be inferred from the long and uncheck
ed career OF which distinguished the lie oil Mr.
kHG and the respect and confidence he always enjoyed
his popularity not the result OF those Fictitious aids
which give 10 demaKokuee ana pOlluCat ulSkSe's Ah
epbemeral existence, but was the natural consequence
and we'll deserved recompense OF his exalted qualities OF
head and heart For forty years be brought to hs conn
trys the rich gifts OF his patriotism and his wsdom
the glowing energies of his early manhood and the ma
tured counseIs OF wise and honorable old age Intel
ligence honesty, aud hdeiy distinguished the admins
iralon OF every public trust conhded to his hands
Amids, all the fluctuations OF public sentiment ana me
mutations OF party he pursued the path oil day by the
light OF principle, and dying, leaves behind him an ex
ample OF CONSISTENCY and public virtue upon winch the
patriot may ponder with pleasure and from which The
mere aspant for worldly honor may draw an instruc
live iesson His life is beautiful illustration Of the
truth. that the line OF duty is alike the path oil safety and
the way to honor. =
The personal character OF Mir KING sfuen 10 all
those qualities which contribute to the formation oil an
almost perfect man. To wisdom and patriotism a.
statesman, 10 love OF right and devotion TO principle he
added a temper respectful and courteous 10 others;
courage unquesoned a0d honor in,actno stain blurred
the pure ermne OF his good ConcedDg 10 all mer
The full measure OF what was their due, he was punci
Gus in the exacton OF what was due 10 himself. tx
emp from that acrmony which party collision too often
engence, and always tolerant OF the opinions OF Others
he infexble and answering in the maintenance OF
his own
" Y1 Jssfss 1T tsroro yvopostft."
In all those more intimate and tender relations which
bound him TO his friends his kindred. and his servanis
he all that friendship could ask affection claim, OF
humanity and kindness enjon while in that higher and
more solemn relation, which he bore TO the Author OF us
all be was exact and scrupuous in the discharge OF all
those duties enjoned oy regard for the sacred behests
OF relgon and in the closing scenes OF hles Hee'ina
final hour be leaned with humble trust upen the merits OF
his Saviour.