Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-29
PRESENTATION SPEECH OF
NON. W. L. FIR YE.
Delivered BEFORE the House 90 Repre-
sentatives Jan. ~, 1873.


yi',d jh- States To furnish for tha old
H. "l the House OF Representatives,
eacl, statues oil two OF her deceased
c,,lz ~. i!!us.rious toe TIER h, storic re-
n.un, co. distinguished Tor thair civic or
n. ittry services, and most worthy OF
sach m4iinnal commemoration, NJ tine
makes today partial response in pre-
$ n,iug the statue OF General William
KING. Is this, sir, compliance with
the invitation? The name is compare
lively unknown; The man has no ma.
lional reputation. Can he then be fit
Ion The presence in which he will stand
G uld those marble statues of the illus
triors dead in the old Hall be given lite,
as this veil WAS lifted, recognizing in him
sl tho qualities of true greatness, they
would welcome him as their peer. And
Maine does MOI offer for this great honor
Gu unknown man because she could not
soloc. from her dead sons. many illus
,rious Tor their historic renown,n whose
names would be familiar to you all. Her
history forbids such poverty. This Vir-
GINA OF the North" earliest settled, hav-
ing within her borders the first incor-
poratsd city on this continent, has "a
past hoary with age" as the years are
counted here, history full of thrilling
interest, its pages illustrated with pic
lures OF patient endurance. fierce strug-
giles, terrible hardship, hardy adventure,
and patriotic sacrifice.
Her rugged soil, never laughing with
a harvest at the tickle of hoe. respond
ing only TO the deep driven pillow. yield
ing alone when watered with the sweat
of the brow. taught patience in toll and
economy in the use oil its rewards. Her
long winters and deep SHOWS made her
houses homes. binding their inmates
closely in love, compelling TO social
converse, to books, aud TO thought. Her
broad stretch of dangerous sea-soast, a
} pre- sing, ever-present necessity tor
TODD, compelling constant struggle
with the sea. q ceaseless encounter with
It's poliis, taught contempt Tor danger,
skill to meet it, aud spirit OF seli-rell-
ance. Six long bloody wars with the In
dams, wars with the French, Spaniards'
and The English. 10 all of which she was
!, the theater, or by reason OF her exposed
, condition and her extensive commerce
the greatest sufferer, almost century
of struggle for very life inspired IN her
people courage, devotion to the State,
!, and enduring love 10 the country. Her
early settlers seeking commercial ad-
vantage. the establishment OF homes and
country rather than an escape IRON
religious persecution or the founding oil
T church, while devotional were not Gu
, |
records are free from the bloody perse-
cutions raging elsewhere. Within bel
borders Q1akers could wsg their tongue:
: uns.lt, and Baptists could allow theli
children 10 go unsprinkied without tear
OF fire. Dtmeutod men aud wrinklec
old women could indulge in their harm
. les anI.s 81 delusiou and dn,ag", In
, uucr G,sse. ard OF halter or iaggo..
To these early AMI f,gorltc periods u human
sc..,.tf..n in fIr ,t-ts.. y ls thC devil 80 husl
| IN Plymouth among tHr ru'i.ars granted 70 hap
p, t>,DpIlI Ilru ,ac p,r!is % wl.encIaJ. est
Graf sai The fetoelty Of bigot'.
Governor King was born a, Scar
borough, Maine. February 10. lI6o
he son Of Richard King. successful
, business msn. His brother Rufus, by N
means his superior in natural endow
ments. bu, thoroughly educated. il
known to you all as one OF the leading
statesmen Of America, one OF the Tram
] ers of our Constitution. Tor three terms
0 United States Senator from New York
Q minister 10 the Court Of Saint james
and the Federal candidate for the Presi
lency q ainst Sir. Madison. Cyrus
another brother, also an educated man, ,
brilliant lawyer, Representative in Con
) gress from the York district In Maine
from 1918 10 1917, was then claimed by
his friends TO be the peer OF Webster, bu'
. his death in 1917 prevented the complete
realization OF their hopes. They were
both federalists, while William was the
democrat of the tsmily,a such receiving
very limited education ut the common
schools. The greater portion OF his time
until be arrived at his msjority being de
: voted not 10 study but TO hard work IN
the saw-mils OF Ssco. Then throwing
of the saw-mill incubus, he moved to
Bath, Maine, a place OF considerable
ship-building and commercial import
, ance, where before long no compelled
; recognition OF his great abilities. En'
gaging in commerce aud Navigation
concentrating upon his business all The
powers OF his mind and body, in few
years he became known as"the sultan o.
Bath" was one of the greatest ship
builders in the United States, and the
owner OF moro ships engaged in the for
eign trades than any other man in New
England His capacity, energy, boldness
and integrity gave him great wealth and
unbounded influence 10 the business cir
, Giles.
But his lofty ambition could not rest
content with this. Political life, then
| full of exci,ements. allured him, and
Welding to its voice he brought TO iii
service not only those qualities which
had given him success in business but 8
remarkable political sagacity, and inlni-
tive knowledge OF human nature, and, as
some one said. "the skill of Talleyrand
without his vices.n He at once became
the master spirit OF the democratic party,
, so imperious that in the district of Maine
: no democrat disputed his will, and his in
huence was powerful in Massachusetts.
Twice he was their candidate for lieuten-
ant-governor; defeated OF course BY The
great Federal msjority, yet never dis
couraged by defeat, he continued TO lsad
!, bis minority until he led it to victory,
and made it, for years, the majority. de
was elected to the Massachusetts Legis-
lature several times, serving, believe,
in their senate from 1908 to 1912. His
fine personal appearance, strongly
marked features, high forehead, black
impending brows gave him a natural
aud majestic air OF command, which.