Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-31
Remarks Of Mr.. Hamlin

states sDOulu VI tWo VI
4 their representative and eminent men TO be placed
in the National Statusry Hall
This statue was executed by Mr.. Simmons, who
il a native Of Maine. As a work of art we be-
eve il TO be his most successful production. OH
/ er statues of his execution which have received
merited appreciation already, grace the Hall for
which this is destined; while other works OF
his adoTn the city.
! In the selection of the man to be thus commem-
GRATED here, there was a difference of opinion
among the authorities of Maine, whether to 20
back TO its colonial history for the choice OF rep
resentstive persons or to take the period OF the
revolutionary struggle with Great Britain, or to
come down to the later time of the separation and
/ independent organization of the State. At each
of these distant epochs the State is rich in illus
trious names.
During the colonial period, Sir William Pbipps
born in Woolwich, Maine, 10 l65l, commanded
the fleet Of the colonies, which captured Port
| Rovsl the capital of French Arcadia IN 1890 for
which exploit be was baroneted by the British
Crown. In the same year be commanded still
larger feet against Quebec andi 1872 was appoint
ed Governor Of the province of Massachusetts,.
sir William Pepperell, who was born in ktttry,
Maine. in 1896 where he died in 1859 was intrust-
ed with the supreme command Of the forces OF
New England which achieved the capture oil the
famous fortress of Louisbuig in l7i5 For tins
feat of arms he not only baroneted by the
British Crown but received successive app ONT
ments in the British Army of Colonel, Msjor-Geu-
eral and Lieutenant-tieneral We have not been
able TO fluid any other where native citizens
Of anv of the States while they were in colonial
condition were knighted by Great Britaiu for EN-
inent distinction or achievements.
During the revolutionary epoch General Henry
Knox If the artillery arm, served from DoIctes-
ter Heights to Yorktown. General Washington
who had leaned upon him as one Of his sturdies st
supports in the field, placed him in his cabinet
Secretary of war. General Knox was born i'll
Massachusetts, when Maine a9d Massachusetts
we're one State, but he went to I'VE upon his es
tates in Maine in l795, where he died and was
buried.
Commodore Edward Pfeble who died in his
tive city of Portland, Maine, IN 1907, served with
great distinction during the revolutionary strug-
gle, fret privaieer and afterward IN public
armed vessel Of Massachusetts,. lie entered the
National Navy in 1893, and commanded the squad
ron which covered itself with glory at Iripoli III
1904. lie is justly regarded as the father of the
American Navy, and no history OF 1t can be writ
ten without wrillng substantially the life of Com
modore Preble, indissolubly are the two con-
nected.
Tue authorities of Maine, however, decided to
pre- sent to the Nation its first contribution to
the National Statuary Hall, the statue OF man
connected with its history as an independent
State; and having come 10 that decision they had
no doubts difficulties in selecting the person.
William King was the first Governor of the State
and the universal contemporary Judgment marked
him as the foremost OF the men OF Maine OF bis
times and generation, in all the intellectual aud
moral en- owments which constitute individual
greatness la his public career he was the leader
memorable measures III vindicaton OF religious
freedom and the rights OF labor, the influence OF
which was felt over the whole country while he
yet lived, and will continue to be felt so long
we remain free people.
! Governor King was born in the town of Scar
borough, Maine il 1868. Commencing life with
! little or no pat inony he was lsborer for time
in the manufacture of lumber in Topsham, Maine
but soon removed to the city OF Bath, Maine
where he had had a long and prosperous business
career as merchant.
He died in Bath in 1852 at the advanced age of
"a years. 10 person he was of the most imposing
and commanding presence. lie was the hall broth
Ell of Rufus King of New York, the jurist, orator,
states man and dlplomatist, and who was as able
as he was distinguished. Rufus and William were
of opposing schools in politics and each were e.
qualy earnest in advocating their respective opin
ions. OF less culture than Rufus William King
was considered by those who knew them both aud
were competent to judge to be the superior 10
manly and intellectual endowments. | saw him
for the first time in the 69th year of his age and
! the impression he made upon me confirmed the
judgment Of his contemporaries, that his ntellec-
tusl enaowments were extraordinary. The
chantment that surrounds distinguished persons
in the distance, is too often dissipaed by nearer
approach. 1t is rare indeed that we estimate men
Intellectually, by higher standard, rs we APP
preach, come in con tact, and associate with them
| In my long experience and acquaintance with
| pa bile men have known but very few such per
sons OF these William King was conspicuously
one.
Governor King frequently represented his town
and county in both branches OF the legislature. He
was Major General OF the Militia OF Maine. and
10 honorable service as such during the war of
1872 Is. He took a leading part in the separation
| of Maine from Massachusetts, and presided over
| the convention which framed the Constitution of
Maine. He wa. elected its first governor, with
less than 1000 votes for all other persons lie did
| M hnl he ntf n oh hp torn
! for which he was elected, having accepted an APP
pohtment rendered him by President Monroe, as
one of the commissioners for the distribution of
the funds set apart out of the purchase money of
Florida to satisfy the claims of American citizens
against Spain. He also held other public positions
OF importance.
His administration of the Office Of governor, al
though short, covered the important period of the
first organization of the State as respects the APP
pouiment to office and shaping its policy. In this
as in everything, Governor King displayed that
largeness of mind, which was his distinguishing
Characteristic
Especially is this remembered in regard TO the
judiciary department. Not only did he display
the rarcst discrimination selecting learned able
and upright judges, but although his own politi-
cal views were always strong and sharply defined,
he arose clear and high above party, and so con
shtuted the eouits from the eminent men of the
two parties of that time, that the confidence and
affection of the whole body Of the people were
secured for the tribunals appointed to administer
justice and determine private rights. So should
our judiciary systems ever be organized and sus-
tanned.
Governor King was the able advocate, both of
the common school system and the endowment OF
all the higher grades OF educational institutions.
The constitution of Maine, in which he con-
spicuously assisted, makes it obligatory upon all
the towns to maintain public schools. and enjoins
1t upon the legislature "to encourage and suitably
endow from time to time the circumstances Of tho
people may authorize, all academies, colleges and
seminaiies OF learning within the State" A
gentleman well competent TO judge who knew
Governor King intimately and to whom | am in
debted for the information describing Governor
King parliamentary debster and leader SAYS
! Gle never made long speeches. lie carried
bis points, not by AIT, but by main strength rot
| by long drawn arguments, nor by sonorous peri
DDS Of eoquence, but by rush or crushing stroke.
! He terrible, severe and sometimes rough and
hardly courteous. What he believed, was verv
clear in bis own mind, and he threw himself up
on his opponents with irresistible effect"
! The intellect sf Gov. King, moved by gener-
| Gus and ardent nature, WAS great and living
/ force, which impressed itself upon the whole
course Of public events with which he was CON
nected but the limits of this occasion will per-
NIT II ference to two only of the parliamentary
measures with which he identified Of both
OF them he was the originator and most conspic-
uous and prominent advocate. They are the $50
called) beiterment act of 1903, quietng the pos