Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-17
THE RICHMOND WHIG.
HON. JOHN. P. KING, OF GEORGIA.

Z
HON. JOHN. P. KING, OF GEORGIA.
10 "a. Editor Of the WAig:
Is will be conceded on all hand. thatths erigsncss Of
the tunes require the services Of abest and best
men, in the public councils. President Davis and Vice
President Stephens command the confidence Of the
whole country and hope will be elsc:ed to the positions
of President and Vice President under the permanent
Confederate Government by unanimous vote. This
will be step in the right direction. But they cannot
administer the Government without assistance They
mus. be surrounded by competent anIiliaries.
In casting about forAnen Of high order OF admins:rs
tive ability my mind has been turned 10 the distinguish
ed gentleman whose name heads this article have
not The pleasure Of personal acquaintance with him,
aad 90 not know that ever saw him. I am therefore
entirely unbiased by any personal feelings in regard to
him. Ali know Of him is derived from bis public
vices we'll remember the circumstances attending his
frat sppearsce in the public coutci.. 1t vas think,
in issa that he ks took hs seat In The Senate Of the
ooid ss.ses yssss~v-, sssss inths Senate in those
days Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Benton and Forsyth
wee there. Great debates arose on the comrcs.
ted questions OF finance The qusstiors connected With
the removal Of the depots the currency and the rev.
euue we're earnestly debated All the great Statesmen
in that august assembly had taxed their powers to the
utmost and seemed to have explored and exhausted the
whoe field Of discussion Under these circumstances the
youhtl Senator FROM Georga-then but about SO years
Of age ,se give his views these momentous sub
ess can readily imagine the feeling Of surprise that
must have been excited by his apparent indscroon In
participating in such debates-young. inexperienced
and unknown Il seemtd almost like presumption for him
to the with the greatest speakers Of the age
bu, consciors Of his powers be did not fatsr; and be
had spoken but short time before he vsted the attention
Of the Senate by his prouu knosledgs Of the questions
und debate in all their aspecs Hsspeech was aeknowl
edged all hands, to be one Of commanding ali!ity-
When he toek b, seat, Mr. Webster arose and corgrat
u.aed the nate aud country, the vast accession Of
tai ut aud s.atesuanship which the body had receiv
In the person OF the distinguished senator from Georgia
From hat hour he took his position in the front rank
Of the Statesmen Of America. He remained in the sen
ate or some ve six years. Illuminating By his genius
every dark aud obscure question, which he discussed
But having been tlsoted Jackson man. and the
Of Van Buen being In the ascendant in The latest days
Of the old heros administration, is SUPP ,sed that Mr.
King h,came dsgdsted with the condtos Of things
Washington. De that it my, be resigned his seat IN
the Senate, and retired from the nationals COUNCILS -
Since then be has been unknown beyond the limits Of
hi, own State But in to the enquiry address
ed by me 10 Georsaps, "Whst has bee ome Of John P
KhgY Ihavs e,rusd hst his great abilities have rot
been los, to the countrythey only transit rred 70
another department Of public labor When be left the
Senate be entered the service Of bis native State, and
uuder his aIspct ard counses Georgia has risen to be
the npre State Of the South He Ii was who consol'
dated her credit stimulated her manufactures. develop
ed Der agriculture her system OF and placed
her taakng system 4 and steadfast foundation
Ia word, his comprehensive gsnius and sound Judge
ment have governed the Councils Of Georgia. and made
her what she is.
Cannot the Confederate Government obtain the aid Of
his extraordinary Administrative sbilities' Unlesss
am ms,a In the estimate have formed OF the man,
he could not refuse obedience to the cal Of bis country
Private Interest aud personal convenience would be
cheeruly sacrificed by him the altar Of patriotism.
When the new government shall be installed 1t will
be met at the Threshold by questions Of fearful dlcu
" and magnitude. Men aud money mus. be raised to
carry on the wsr-our foreign policy must be consldee
aud determined-a permanent system OF revenue must
be relations must b, placed on
jrsl blsis--navigation must be provided for, and
sound currency secured In word, every question con
uected With our external ard internal policy must be
carefully examined and wisely decided Every thing
win depend on the discretion given TO public sfirs At
the ou,set OF the Government Place incompetent men
in high positions, and failure will be inevitable. Call
into the public service the matured experience the far
acLng sgacit aud the profound statesmenshp OF our
greatest men, and destined to enjoy career Of
prs spery aud glory which has fallen to the lot Of NO
other nation.
III am asked to what party doss John King belong
answer know not neither do care cannot say whether
he vas Democrat Or wbig-Unionist secessiOn!st-I
have 10 information on the subject. know him to b.
man Of great ability, and believe him to be patriot
This Is enough for The who invOkes old party
predictions prudices, now, can have but little oil
my esteem or sympathy. housing polticians--veImin
who are generated in the pl,rescencs Of purity strife
may prss OF party, conscious that they can only live
in the psstentisl atmosphere which called them into
isnce they may deplore the downfall OF party dstnt.
tons but the true patriot-the man who has dignity
and elevation Of mind enough to look high above the
mire Of party cones and to I his eye steadily on the
great interests OF hls country will regard only the
capacity and fidelity Of men in the discharge Of pubic
trusts.
That John. P. King has intellect expanded enough
to deal with every great question which may arse-pat
rotsm enough look to the welfare Of the whole coua
uy-aud administrative ability to carry into practical
effect the wiscst policy which bis genius may suggest
doubt, His past gives the best assurance
Of his future usefulness aud for one would be graft
fed II our patriotic and sagacious President, when he
comes arrange tue prsonnei Of his administration,
uader the permanent Cor situlOn, would gn promi
nsnt position to Mr. King. VlRGINlAN.
FROM GEN. LEES COLUMN.
HKApoUAKrKs 4srH REGT. Va. VoLUsrKEps
CAMp on sTwEIL aouSrAIS, Oct. y. 1881.