Vice-President of the United. He attained greatness among men like Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Randolph, and others of that class.

QUESTIONS

1. Give a sketch of the life of William R. King before he settled in Alabama Territory. 2. What was the cause and result of the War of 1812? 3. Of what legations was Mr. King secretary. 4. What work did he do in the constitutional convention? 5. What was his first work in the United States senate? 6. Give a sketch of John W. Walker. 7. Describe Mr. King as a statesman. 8. To what country was he minister, and what did he accomplish? 9. What caused him to be defeated by Mr. Lewis? 10. Name two high offices that were held by Mr. King after his appointment as senator. 11. Tell of his search for health and his death. 12. Why should Alabamians honor him?

1814

Alexander Beaufort Meek

CHAPTER X

ALEXANDER BEAUFORT MEEK

(1814-1865)

1. Early Life.-Judge A. B. Meek, the poet, orator, jurist, and statesman, is lovingly remembered by the people of Alabama.

He was born in Columbia, South Carolina, July 17, July 17, 1814. In his early youth his parents moved into Alabama and settled in Tuskaloosa. Here he grew to manhood in a newly-settled country and in a town which was the capital of the State and the site of the State University. The visits and speeches of legislators, and the social and business life and politics of the day made a deep impression on him.

2. Three Distinguished Meeks.-His father, Dr. Samuel M. Meek, took great pains in the education of his children, and was especially proud of them. Three sons were distinguished in literature and public life. One, Colonel Samuel M. Meek, resided for many years in Columbus, Mississippi, and stood among the first lawyers of that State.

Professor Benjamin F. Meek, another son, taught English literature in the University of Alabama for thirty years. His pure, classic English was the delight of every student who had the good fortune to study under him. He was a scholar who knew much about authors and their writings. He read so much and compared so often the works of one author with those of another that he learned how to teach the students whatever was best in books, and how it was best to express thought in language. Everybody respected him highly for his great learning.

Judge Alexander B. Meek was the most distinguished of the three brothers. As a boy he was lovable and bright-minded, and he showed such devotion to books as to snatch every opportunity for study and reading.

1831

3. Graduation. When the University of Alabama was first opened in 1831, young Meek entered as a Apr. 18, student. Two years later he was graduated in the class with Marion Banks, Francis C. D. Bouchelle (boo shel), John G. Davenport, William Woolsey King, Rev. Robert B. McMullen, and George D. Shortridge. Two years later he began the practice of law.

4. Honors.-Honors fell thick upon him. In 1836, he was associate-editor of the Flag of the Union, and three years after edited the Southron, a monthly magazine of high merit. He spent several months as a volunteer officer in the war against the Florida Indians. Upon his return home Governor C. C. Clay appointed him attorney-general of the State. He was then about twenty-two years old. Six years later he was appointed probate judge of Tuskaloosa county. In 1844, he bore to Washington the electoral vote of Alabama for Polk and Dallas. The following year he was appointed assistant secretary of the treasury of the United States, and subsequently he was made the Federal attorney for the southern portion of Alabama. After this his Alabama residence was in Mobile, where he became editor of the Mobile Register.

5. Father of Public School System.-His public service, his speeches upon history and literature, and his writings had already made him well known. In 1853, he was elected to the legislature. He introduced a bill "To establish and maintain a system of free public schools in Alabama." pproved, Thus he Feb. 15, became the father of the educational system of public schools in the State. Possibly no other bill has ever been introduced into the legislature that has been such a blessing to the common people.

1854

In 1859, he was again in the legislature and was elected speaker of the house.

6. Publication of His Works.

In 1855, he began

to publish his writings in book form. The Red Eagle, a Poem of the South, was the first to be issued.

This beautiful poem is the love story of William Weatherford (Red Eagle) and Lillah, the daughter of Daniel Beasley, who commanded at Fort Mims. It attracted the immediate attention of the reading public. Then appeared his Orations, Romantic Passages in Southwestern History, and Songs and Poems of the South.

7. Marriage and Death.-Judge Meek was twice married, first to Mrs. Slatter of Mobile, and afterwards to Mrs. Cannon of Columbus, Mississippi.

On November 1, 1865, he died suddenly at Nov.1 Columbus.

8. Meek as an Author.-Judge Meek began to write poetry when he was very young. His heart was tender and he loved beauty. His poetry touches upon many subjects.

The Day of Freedom, which he wrote before he was twenty-four years old, was read at a celebration on July 4, 1838, in Tuskaloosa. In this poem he describes the character of a patriot, the greatness of this country, the feelings of an old soldier who had fought for it, and the glory of the "Stars and Stripes." Into his argument for the union of the States he injects The Land of the South, which is a beautiful and patriotic tribute to the section of country in which he was born.

'Balaklava is probably the most popular of Meek's poems. It describes the fearful charge which the British made against the Russian fortress at Balaklava in the Crimean War. It is a fit companionpiece of Tennyson's Light Brigade.

1865