The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-13

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ia the Senate Of the United States by his strong pac
cal good sense, his experience aud wisdom as egsa
tor, the acknowledged Iecude OF his Intentions, and
that uniform urbany OF manner which marked, mol so
much .he man OF conventional breeding the uae gen.
ilrman al heart. He no sophisl 10 himself, and
hence il was that be truthful and sincere 10 all the
world His course in the Senate was consderate and
dignhed He never yielded to the impulse OF the mo-
men,. but made his tongue wait upon his judgment he
never knew what to speak, act or leglslate BY in
direction. lie frank aud loyal his colleagues, as
he was devoted 10 his State and sincerely attached
10 The Union Is il wonder. then, tha. the Senate lis
tened to every word which fell from his lips--that his
Voice Was potential whenever pleaded the cause OF his
conntryf
IL is said that during primary meeting held by one OF
the factions into which the first French National Con-
venon was divided. Of the men who afterwards
played most conspicuous part 10 history spoke but
lew words, aud ,hese without emphasis Yet such was
the conyicon he produced that his views were instantly
adopted He possessed the genius Of edracer be be-
eyed what he said, and produced conviction in others
1t ia this peculiar genius OF character" which gave
States Senate and produced that deerence to his avowed
opinions and principles which none OF his colleagues
shared in more eminent degree In all that belonged TO
him indiy ydually, Nr. KING the very type OF an
American gentleman. Free from arlhce and Disguise
hrs every thought and instinct was chlvalc Not 10 ad-
vsn,ous eiicanstances not to lbe chances OF birth or
ioTune moi 10 the society Into which he was thrown,
was he indebted either Tor The distinction to which be
rose in public life. to the grace which adorned his
ments iron ohefs His mind and heart were OK Amer.
growth, while hls eminent virtues served to Illus
tra,e national character AS Americans, we rec
ognse standard OF greatness which ls no, based on
moral excellence, such as pre.eminenty distinguished
the early founders of our Institutions and laws; and
in this respect lew of the great whose sihes have
passed into our history can boast ot nearer approach
10 those great exempars than he whose eparabe loss
we now mourn IN common with the whole country
During his long and eventual e, Q! which very large
portion spent in The public service, there IS not en-
act which be referred 10 but TO his honornot sus
p.con that could mar the purity and usre OF his es-
culcheon. MIR KING became member OF The Senate IN
1919, when The Stale OF Alabama admitted into the
Union, and enjoyed the honor OF representing her, With
but intermlsson, ever since. He was member OF
that body when he nominated for The vice presl-
dency and its Presiding Ocer The respect OF his col
had already assigned him the place TO which he
subsequently, by The almost unanimous voice oil
the people. He was from principle aud conviction State
rigts man but he did not love the Union less because
he loved Alabama more. While he was serving his own
State with fidelity and honor he was not remiss 10 hs
duties 10 the whole American conederacy. Like his H.
usrous prototype John e. Calhoun, he ballcd ior the
rights OF his State in order that harmony be-
federal and State power which Is OF the essence oil
the Unioo and without winch It 10 impossible 10 pre-
serve our system of self government. In the memorable
session OF 1880 Mr.. KING voted for nearly all The
COMPROMISE measures as an act OF devotion 10 the ma
nona Union, without suendenng asngle cardinal point
of the political faith which bad guided him through lie,
and Rad secured TO him the affection aud attachment OF
the citizens OF his own State The most important event
in his political history was when he represented Inc uni-
ted States 10 the of France, during most inter
esting and exciting period. Ii was well known that
the governments OF Eogland and France, severally
and iootly. opposed the annexation Of Texas TO the
AmeTlcan Union, and that similar instructions had
been given By these governments to their respect-
i've ministers in Washington and Texas. These m
sruciions were, doubt, intended TO be used with
diplomatic effect, neither party seeming at The tune
willing 10 pr ceed TO exlreml'es Mr. kIso, true 10 DIS
American character and 10 the generous instincts OF hrs
na1re. did plunge into the labyrinth oi European
diplomacy He had nothing disguise, nothing 10 with
hold, nothing 10 ask for that was not just aud WIN The
slraighforwardness and dignity which ought always
10 characterize American minister abroad, at once
demanded Of the King himself frank avowai OF his
intentions. LOUIS Philippe might have been prepared 10
eyade the aTui approaches OF laleyrand or iucbe
lieu bu, he had no of refusing 10 answer PLAN
question, honestly proposed by ioreign minister,
whose official rank did no, add The weight OF feather
To the volume OF his private character Mr. kih0 re-
ceved the desired reply to The hna course The French
government meant to adopt should Texas be annexed,
and became al satisfied tina, our relations with
France would not be disturbed by the event Ihe kings
reply was reported TO Mr.. Calhoun, then Secretary Of
State, and the annexation was accomplished, without
protest from any European power Subsequently,,
when the diplomatic correspondence was published Mr
Guzo then the French premier, attempted 10 raise a
question OF versc,y between himself and MIR kIso, IN
regard The reply gwen by LOUIS Philippe 10 our repre-
sentative Paris But snch the character Tor hon
esy and truth lie had established for bmse during his
short residence in the Fench capital, and such the susp
eions with which Mr. Guizors acts were viewed by the
French public that there not single French paper
which dared doubt the word OF our minister; and the
apersion only translated IRON an Engsh paper, and
published in the French government journal. The OBJ
ec merely to justify the policy OF France as against
Enaland bur oor minister's strale ehofwad course put,
ao end 10 even lha, subteruge He demanded as gen.
ieman that the King should respect the assurance gwen
him in TO Iexas and the kirg did respect ~ and
Mr. Guizot furnished copy OF u IN wfilng TO Mr. KING
Thus ad only government bu, the person OF our
minister achieve signsi Triumph the sinuous course
OF European politics and statesmen.
Pendna this controversy. is said, Mr. Guizo, a,temp
ed 10 assuage Mt kse by assuring him that "be had
oen been told that he tGuzot) lied" TO which MIR.
KIks modesuy replied that hs had never been told So
French appreciation OF sscasfn had no daeuity IN dis
covering the meaning OF MI. KINGS causlic reply
cannot but alIodc TO his ~ nd noble disposition 10
bring forward and advance Nrs1ortnnes of young
sirusgling up in lie have myself been the recipient
OF his Kindness this respect In all such relations he
never assumed The position of patron and client Il
not hs position hut his beart which determined the place
occupied BY his friends, and his exalted character looked
10 no return O. favos After bis election TO the
presidency, when lingering under painful and mortal
dseas. in foreign country, his thoughts naturally re-
verird to hiz beloved Alabsma Once more lie
wished 10 behold the sun OF his couny-once more he
desired TO breathe the nvigors,ng air OF home. Friend
and kindred had followed hun abroad but he yearned
for wider circle OF hearts beating IN unison With his
own. The American people had taken 4 deep interest
his They bad pride IN seeing him occupy
the position to which their sufaees had raised him They
had abiding confidence III his integrity ns statesman,
and warm sympathy for his bodily suferings. With
beahess anxiety did the people receive the alngs OF
the progress OF his Illness. and each note oil sorrow,
which travelled with the velocity OF light found pain
ui echo IN the public breast Tohe people of his coun-
tty did the old Statesman and patrol return TO draw hs
last breain Once he irod the sol OF bis home
once his eyes gaddened with the sight OF his
tive land, ree prosperous, and happy once more his
heart beat with ap,nrous delight at the intufe prospect
and greatness OF this glorious unlon lhs sl,.'e and
camor of ruthless passns had suhsded the olive Icai
eareh had her blessings