Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-10-19

| County, Virgil ID. Paris, cousin OF Al
bion X. Paris. Virgil Paris was an
ardent Jacksonisn Democrat. In 1897,
before he became voter, he organized
| the frat Jackson Club In the state OF
Maine. He was man Of iron will, great
energy and unquestioned integrity, with
a decided taste for scientific pursuits.
lie flied many state Offices and served
tw O terms 10 Congress. He died In Paris,
where he had resided many years, 10
1874.
Contemporaneous with Enoch Lincoln
was Rufus X. Goodenow. He WAS born
In 1870, served as captain In the war OF
1919. and at Its close came to Paris as
the first clerk OF the Supreme judicial
Court, which ofl,.e he held for sixteen
years. In his law practice he occupied
| the famous little Paris law office. tie
was elected to Congress in lS4S, and
died In Paris In 1864, houored and re-
spected by all who knew him.
In the years 1909, 1911 respectively
", re- born on Paris Hill two men des-
tined to become In later years bright and
shining lights In the councils OF both
state and nation, Hannibal Hamlin and
Horatio King. Together in early youth
they started out 10 q business enterprise,
purchasing q little newspaper .lled The
Jefiersonian, just beginning It's exist
cnce In their native village. Mr.. Hsmitn
worked xt the printers case about s'x
months, when he disposed OF his inter q
la the paper to Mr.. King. lie then read
law, was admitted to the bar and prac-
iiced for fifteen years before beginning
his public career. lie was elected Ia 1896
TO the legislature OF his native state,
where his skill asa politician and wis
dom AZ a statesman was quickly recox-
ni,ed, and his pro notion thereafter very
rapid. lie was elected TO the 2S.h
and reelected to the 29th congress.
From lsls to 1856 he ably represented
his state In the United States senate.
1856 witnessed the birth OF the Repuoli-
can party. Old party lines and policies
rapidly disintegrated. The name OF Han
nibal Hamliu, erstwhile Democrat, wss
placed "a the standard bearer OF the new
party, nj the head of the state ticket. IL
swept the state by an overwhelming
m.jority. Senator Hamlin resigned hi.
scst to become governor, bat on the fol-
loving year was returned 10 the senate.
In 1850 he rose To- the vice presidency . Z
the nation, and filled the trying position
Of presiding officer Of the United States
senate during the dark days OF the rebel
lion with distinguished ability, and TO
eminent satisfaction. La 1869 he was
again elected 10 the United States senate
aud reelected In 1875, thus enjoying the
unique distinction OF being chosen by his
fellow citizens 10 the highest office with
10 their gift, for i've successive terms.
His long career Of public usefulness
was rounded out by a years service "a
United States minister to Spain, which
distinguished Office he voluntarily re-
signed 10 lsS3, and retired TO the enjoy
ment OF private life In his home st Ban
COR, Maine, where his remaining days
were spent In welI-esrned ease. Hsnni-
bal Hsmlln possessed remarkable char
acter. Genial aud kind hearted, un-
swerving In fidelity alike to principle and
friends, uu,iring In his efforts for the
promotion Of progress and liberty, de-
voted TO the interests OF his state, his
name stands upon the pages OF her his.
tory as her foremost citizen. The old
Hamlin homestead, large, roomy man
Lon, shaded by dropping elms, s,ill
stands upon the peaceful village street
which so many years ago echoed the
tread OF his boyish feet, and sounds OF
merry laughter.
The literary career OF Horatlo King
had Its starting point In the newspapers
iiiec on Paris Hill. At the youthful age
Of nineteen he became the sole proprie-
tor OF the little village newspaper, The
Jeffarsonisn.
This plant he subsequently, removed 10
Portland, and greatly enlarged the scope
of the paper. In 1889 Mr.. King went TO
Washington TO accept al appointment 10
the post Office department rendered him
by Postmaster General Amos kendtli.
His talents and fidelity met with recoR-
ni,ion aud due appreciation. His services
in the foreign mail department, 10 which
he was afterwards promoted, were very
valuable. permanently improving the
character and efficiency OF that branch Of
the postal service. In 1854 he wss ap-
pointed by President Pierce first assist
sut postmaster general. In 1861, under
r,uchsnsn's administration, he became
postmaster general, the first and only ex-
simple Of head OF department rising
oy degrees from the rank and file OF the
clerical force. Though lifelong Dem
| ocrat, Mr.. King Was unswervlng In his
LOYALTY 10 the Union, and remained so
throughout the entire struggle. After
retiring from the post Office department,
Mr.. King was appointed by President
Lincoln one OF the board OF commission
ers to carry out the emancipation proc
lamation Ia the District Of Columbi,.
After hi, retirement from public life Mr..
King devoted himself TO travel and liter
sry work for which he was emineniiy
fitted. A series OF Saturday evening
| literary entertainments at hi; home, in-
sugrrated by him, became very popular.
His writings are extensive, and appear
| in part In book form. His recent death
at the ripe age Of Sc was the occasion Of
sincere mourning 10 his hosts Of friends
throughout the city and country at large.
The next congressman to hail from
Paris Hill was Charles Andrews. He was
born 10 that town in lsll, studied law
~ith Hannibal Hamlin In 1884, and WAS
elected TO congress in 1851, where he
died before the completion OF his term.
Mr.. Andrews possessed an extremely
winning personality, aud ranked high as
lawyer and statesman. His untimely
death was deeply deplored.
Five years later this congressional dis
trict WAS again represented by gifted
man whom Paris Hill claims as her citi-
zen during his youth, Hon. Charles
Walton. He resigned bis seat In congress
to accept the appointment Of judge Of the
supreme court Of the state OF Maine,
which high office he has held for many
years.
The list Of congressman and governors
FROM Paris Hill Is closed by the honored
name Of Sidney Perham. Mr.. Perham
ably represented the second Maine dis
trict 10 congress from 1863 to 1869. His
sevices In the councils Of the nation COW
er crucial period of her history. Trea-
son stalked boldly through the legislat-
i've halls and patriotism was ut pre-
MUM. Through the entire struggle Mr..
Perham was ever f,u1d standing with
that valiant band In congress, who, undis-
10 we'd by disaster In the south, or clsmor
iu the north, labored increasingly for
the Union and the interests Of Its brave
defenders In the field. In 1871 Mr.. Per-
ham was again called to public service.
For three successive terms he admins
tered the sffairs Of his native state, as its
chief executive, In most acceptable
manner. Mr.. Perham is nov enjoying
the peaceful "sunset Of life," surrounded
by devoted friends, making his summer
home on Paris Hill, and residing 10
Washington, D. C 10 the winter. Paris
Hill has been well represented upon the
bench. Besides the two supreme judges
already mentioned, two judges OF the
district court have been citizens Of that