The Portland daily press., 1878-01-23
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. JAN. 23.

came State the party in Massachusetts that had
treated her uDjusty was utterly overthrown and the
offensive and unpatriotic resolutions In which they
had expressed their views in regard to were
erased from their own legislative journals.
Through all these trying and troublous scenes In
which was necessary to control the public senti-
ment Of two peoples, it is difficult to overstate the
sagseity, the ability the address, the force, in one
word. the leadership of William King. Maine fol-
loved him with implicit faith and Massachusetts,
came finally to dread him after she had long hated
him. Influencing the two populations with equal
skill, governing the through love, the other
through fear, be became finally the complete mas
ter ofthe situation and attained the end for which
he had labOred for many years with patient hdel-
ity, with commanding ability, with consummste
tact.
Massachusetts, passed the act which resulted In
separation in June, 1919, previous act passed for
tho same end in 1876 having from variety OF causes
proved abortive. The Convention to frame the con-
stitution for the State assembled in Portland, in
October, 1919. William King was the only man
spoken Of TO preside over its deliberations and he
was chosen without opposition, though a considera-
bic number Of his political opponents members
Of the convention.
His strong sense and practical wisdom guided the
convention in Its important labors and be traced
In every section and every line Of the organic law
under which contented and happy people have
lived and pcospered for well nigh sixty years. do
not believe that any people the globe live under
wiser, Juster, purer government than the people Of
Maine. Lord Macaulay declared that nowhere in the
governments Of the world were person and property
more securely protected by law than in the New
England States, and am sure that In no one of the
New England States are these blessings more fully
enjoyed than in Maine. Mindful of the great princi-
pies OF English liberty and recalling the ''naL
de1US, multi Regabimus aut diferinlus rectam aut
jastitiGza" Of the Great Charter, the trainers of
Names constitution inserted its most felicitous
translation as the very basis Of government, and
under the lead of William King declared that in the
Commonwealth then founded
'Right and justice shall be administered freely and
without sale, completely and without denial, prompt
iy and without delay"
The public life Of Governor King closed before the
National Government had attained its great magni-
tude, power and prestige and before its honors and
Its Offices had become more attractive than those of
the State. During the period of his prominence
three Senators of the United States from Maine
signed their seats to take positions on the Supreme
bench OF the State-a service personally more agree
able at that time and satisfactory to public
billion. With power to command any position in the
git OF the Commonwealth, he preferred to be its
governor rather than to represent its interests in
either branch Of Congress. Choosing wisely for the
welfare Of hts State it cannot be said that he chose
unwisely for himself While the service of the Ma
tional Government has for generation steadily abb
sorbed the ambition of public in this country, it
Is notable fact that those who have devoted them
selves exclusively to the service OF the State have
secured closer attachment of the people. indeed
may say more afectionate veneration, than has
followed the eminent honors OF the larger sphere
fat in he TTnio but ho1d In
regard some well-beloved name whose renown was
wholly won in her service.
De Witt Clinton died the idol of New York, and all
his grand achievements of craftsmanship were In the
domain of State development. 1t is true that he
tered the Senate Of the United States but its service
unatrsctive and its field of effort and labor
restricted that he resigned it for the mayoralty of
the chief city OF his State. Thomas Mexican, Of
Pennsylvania, distinguished for his participation In
the revolutionary struggle, never held office under
fhe Federal Government, but is remembered with
pride by every Of Pennsylvania for the eminent
Judicial and executive career with which he honored
and blessed the State. The elder Chittenden left
name that is household word in every hamlet of
Vermont and his fame rests upon his administration
OF the State government during longer series of
consecutive terms than ever fell 10 the lot OF any
other man in America.
In this list of great men, great from devoted SER
vice to their States, William King is fitted to rank
with the greatest And it is in this spirit that
Maine offers his statue to the National Gallery. In
the rotunda of her own capitol she cherishes faith
full portrait Of him. painted by contemporary artist
ofrare merit. No one could pass it by without being
arrested by the striking features, the intellectual
strength, the energetic expression, which rendered
him marked for manly beauty for elevated char
acter. The characteristics have been repro
duced in marble with skill by one who, If the dead
could speak, would have been chosen by Mr.. King
FOR the task: sculptor born in his State, deve
oped originally by laborious sef-culture under adj
verse circumstances. and advanced and refined in
his great art by years Of patient study amid the best
models Of all the ages and uuder the best of living
masters.
The statue now presented by Maine to the Nation
al Gallery will stand with those representing men OF
wider fame, with those of men more noted for eo-
qgcnce, more marked for genius, more renowned for
heroic achievements; who were employed in larger
fields Of labor; who had grander opportunities to
acquire distinctions but the entire gallery, as it now
Il it is to be, will perpetuate the memory of no
man entitled to outrank William King in the virtues
that bet patriot or 10 the wisdom that constitutes
statesman.