Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-23

had labored for so many years with patient fdeh-
~, with commanding ability, with eonsummate
tact.
Massachusetts, passed the act which resulted 10
separation in June, 1919, previous act passed Tor
| the same end in 1916 having from variety Of
causes proved abortive. The convention to frame
| the constitution for the new State assembled ia
| Portland, IN October, 1879 William King was
the only man spoken of to preside over its deliber
ations, aud be was chosen without opposition,
| though considerable number of his political OPP
ponents were members Of the convention.
His strong sense and practical wisdom guided the
convention 10 its important abors and can be traced
in every section aud every line of the organic law
under which contented and happy people have
lived aud prospered for well nigh SIXTY years
do not believe that ANY people on 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 10 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 grta principles OF English liberty
and reca Hing the "nuW rendemus, null negabi-
mus dut djHeriBus FectHh dW tiStttidHt' vi the
Great Charter, the trainers Of Names cousttu-
ton inserted It's most iellctous translation as the
very basis of our government and under the lead
Of William king declared that in the Common
wealth then founded
Right and Justice shall be adm nistered freely
and without sale, completely and without denial,
promptly aud without delay
The public life OF Governor King closed before
the National Government had attained its great
magnitude, power and prestige, and before its
honors and lis offices had become more attractive
than those of the State. During the period Of his
prominence three Senators of the United States
nom Maiue resigned their seats TO take positions
on the Supreme bench Of the State--l service per-
soualiy more greeable at that time aad more sat
i,iactory to public ambition. With power L. com
maud any position IN the gift OF the young Com
mOnwealth, he preferred TO be its governor rath-
than TO represent its interests IN either branch
OF Congress Choosing wisely for the welfare OF
his State, 1t cannot be SAID that he chose un-
wisely for himself.
While the service of the National Government
has Tor genera ion steadily absorbed the ambi-
lion OF public men IN this country, 1t is notable
TACT that those who have devoted themselves eX-
cluslvely to the service OF the State have secured
a closer attachment Of the people indeed may
say more atecuOnate veneIauou, than has fol-.
lowed Tie eminent honors of the larger sphere.
Scarcely STATE IN the nion but holus in rever-
ent regard some wcll-belovcd name whose renown
was wholly won IN her service.
DE VIII Clinton died the idol Of New York, and
al his grand achievements of Statesman ship were
the domain of State development. 1t Is true
that he entered the Senate of the United States,
but Its service unattractIve and its field OF
effort and labor restricted tina. he resigned it
for he mayoralty Of the chief city OF his State.
Thomas Mexican of Pennsylvania, distinguish
cd for his participation in the revolutionary strug
gle, never held office under the Federal Govern
ment, but is remembered with pride by every son
OF Pennsylvania for the eminent judicial and ex
ecutvc career with which be honoIed and blessed
the State.
The elder Chittenden left a name that is house
hold 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
service 10 their states, W William King is fitted to
rank with the greatest. And it is in this spirit
that Maine oilers his statue TO the National Gal
cry. In the rotunda of hex own capitol she cher
-hes a faithful portrait of him, painted by a con-
temporary artist OF Iarc merit. No one could pass
1t by without being arrested by the striking iea-
lures, the intellectual strength, the energetic eN-
preston which rendered HIM as marked for manly
beauty as for elevated character. The same Guar
acteIlsucs have been reproduced 10 marble with
admirable skill by one VINO, If the dead cou,d
speak, would have been chosen by MI. King for
the task: a sculptor born IN his own state, deyel
oped originally Dy aborious seli-cuture, under
adverse circumstances, and advanced aud refined
In bis great art by years Of patient study amid the
best models OF ali the ages and under the best of
living masters.
The statue now presented by Maine to the Ma
tlonal GALLERY, Will stand with those representing
men OF wider fame, with those OF men more noted
Tor eloquence, more marked for genus, more re-
nuwned for heroic achievements; who were en-
ployed in larger fields OF labor; who had grander
opportunities TO acquire distinctions but the en-
tire Galey,as 1t now Is as 1t is TO be will perpet
uate the memory OF no man entitled TO outiank
William King III the virtues that beit patriot or
III the wisdom that constitutes a statesman