The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-25

These are the remarks made by the Hon.
Thomas B Reed in the House of Repre-
resentatves Tuesday on the occasion of the
presentation by the State of Maine of the
statue of William King, her first Governor, to
the National Gallery:
Mr.. Speaker,-William King was born in
176S in the ancient town of Scarborough, which
is part of what is now the first Maine dis
trict. He was president of our constitutional
convention in 1919. He was the first governor
of Maine, chosen to that Office by the almost
unanimous vote of the people who were in
debted to him, most of all, for their separate,
OF sovereign State. He died at Bath in 1852,
full of years, having reached the great age of
eighty-four. His powers were commensurate
with his years. He was successful in all his
vocations. He was prosperous merchant, not
narrowed by trade, but true to his country
when to be true to his country was to be false
to his interests. He was fortunate law
giver, who was able to secure to the hardy set
tiers ia a new country the fruits of their toll.
some lives aud to give to his people the gift OF
for twenty years its central political figure.
The files of his correspondence still existing
show letters from many men since become
notable, suing for his aid in their earlier
ambitions because his aid was well-nigh
omnipotent. He has been dead scarce twenty
five years, yet all that can be found of
him in Biographies and histories is the
few dates which are in the first three or
four sentences L have uttered. Certainly
no one would dream of taking the fading OF
this narrow and local fame to teach the vanity
of human reputation. More striking examples
might easily be found, and the lesson itself
would be too trite. We all know too sadly well
that oblivion begins to devour the mightiest
when dead, and has in all ages been SO greedy
as to overtake some men yet living.
The lesson here ia far diff5 rent. General
King could hope for no perpetuity of his men,
Ory. Perhaps he was great enough to be care
less of distinction. Although he was man of
stately presence, with sonorous voice rich with
the eloquence of conviction and command, his
speeches were as short as they were vigorous.
His words went straight to the mark He pre-
served nothing that he sad No record remains
of his seven years struggle to form the State.
He did his work and was careless who had the
credit. Human fame, even of those who are at
pains to preserve their memories, is as evanes-
cent as the cloud of summer sky. But human
deeds are imperishable Sooner or later he who
has been the faithful servant of all shall be
looked up to as the master. Hence it is that
the State of Maine when called upon to place
in the National Hall of Statuary the figure of
the son she most willingly remembers, has
passed by men of his time certainly more ia
nous, but not greater, and chosen William
King. 1t seems also highly fitting, both as
which has so often echoed to the voices of
many men whose fame seemed to fill the coun.
try, but who are now forgotten, because their
aims were selfish and their purposes petty,
should stand the statue of William King,
placed there not because the land is resonant
with his name, but beca use be did his State en-
during service.