The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-31

gress of the United States from the State of North Caroline, in which ca- pacity I had served for the past five years. Actuated by a desire to visit the Continent of Europe. which I had fostered from very early period of my life, but which my various avoca- tions had hitherto prevented me from carrying Into execution, determined to resign my situation in Congress and request the appointment as Secretary of the Legation rightly conceiving, that should therefore thereby enjoy greater facilities for acquiring that kind of information, which constitu- ted my chief object. My wish (when made known), was promptly met by the government and T received the Presidents commission bearing date, the 23rd, April. 1816"
 AIabama's Chesterfield.
 Tn the light of William Rufus Kings future career, in view of those char acteristics which have distinguished him in history, the statement of his purpose of acquiring information Is deeply significant. It was his purpose to improve and cultivate not only his mind, but those graces of person and address which afterwards distinguished him. In after life he was regarded as one of the most cultured and polished men of his age His courtesy, his
 
 and they are today recorded in the history of his State and his country. He was called "The Alabama Ches- terfleld." An envious and defeated po- litical adversary once alluded to him as "William R. King. distinguished, be- cause he has the smallest foot of any man in the United States Senate"
 It was my privilege. over a year ago, to hear the famous old Alabama steam boat captain, Luck" Wainwright, a few months before his death. give his "reminiscences of Alabama and Ala bamians. before the war. He was a personal friend and 8 warm admirer of William R. King, living when Cap tain Wainwright was a young man at Kings Bend on the Alabama River. Mfr. King was frequently passenger on the boats of Captain Wainwright and after sixty years the old mans eye would kindle and his voice shake with enthusiasm as he talked of Will liam R. King. in whose mind, the Vice President stood like Saul, a head taller than any Of his fellows. But that which stood out most distinctly in his memory, that to which he preferred to give voice after all the years. was the distinguished Alabamian's polish and attractive manners.
 An Attractive Personality.
 He was the most attractive man ever knew" said Captain Wainwright, {, When he was on the boat he held a levee nearly all the time. The passen- gers were continually crowding around him, not only to hear him talk of the great men he had known but in admir- ation of his wonderful manners. I never knew a man that even ap- preached him in polish"
 Tn the pioneer conditions that pre- vailed in Alabama when he moved to this State in the latter part of ISIS. in the crudeness that necessarily charac- terized a pioneer society and a pioneer civilization, 1t was but natural that the ability and polished address of the man, who had moved among the courts of the old world should set him apart for distinction and preferment. This ability, the resolute purpose which characterized him no less than his poll ish. was the basis of that ranAElka-