“On the breaking out of the rebellion, public opinion on this coast was sorely distracted at the issues raised.  The great majority of the people were warmly attached to their Government; but they had drunk deep at the fountains of Southern eloquence, and had been measurably debauched by the dangerous teachings of the able men who had ruled the state from its infancy.  When we consider the critical condition of public sentiment at that dark hour (1860-1861); how the public mind had been thrown off its poise by the false teaching of a long succession of political charlatans; how the insidious doctrine of separation and a Pacific Republic had been hissed by serpents into the ears of the people; how the great dark cloud of impending ruin hung over our central Government; how legions of armed patricides were almost battering at the gates of our National Capital; how rebellion had baptized itself in blood and victory at Bull Run — when we think how the effect of all these adverse teachings and adverse fortunes had rendered the public mind plastic to whoever had the genius to seize and direct it, and reflect that a man of King’s abilities, but without his patriotism, might have grasped the opportunity to drift us upon shoals and rocks and quicksands of treason, we cannot feel too thankful that the man and the hour both arrived.  His was a noble task, and nobly did he fulfill it.  What he did for California and the Union can never be fully estimated, — the work he wrought in saving her to the country, and engraving upon her heart, the golden word — ’Union’.”

Leaving aside for a little space this fervent tribute to King’s work, the quotation just given is evidence of a grave situation, of a state divided in opinion, of just such an “hour of decision” as gives the strong man his opportunity.  There can be no doubt that the verdict of the Visalia Delta, a loyal and well-known newspaper, as to conditions in its own community would apply to every considerable town in the State: 

“Treason against the Government and constitution is preached from the pulpit, printed in the newspapers, and openly advocated in the streets and public places.”

A work just from the press, “California — Men and Events” — by Mr. G. H. Tinkham, affords valuable testimony to the necessity and value of King’s mission as patriotic leader: 

“At a time when some Union men were paralyzed with dread, and others undecided which way to turn, Thomas Starr King traveled over the state bolstering up the weak-hearted, and urging loyal men to stand firmly for the Union.  In his lectures, ‘Washington,’ ‘Daniel Webster,’ ’The Great Uprising,’ and ‘The Rebellion in Heaven,’ in unanswerable arguments and matchless eloquence he kindled the patriotism of the people into a glowing flame.  It is conceded that no individual did more to keep California in the Union than did Thomas Starr King.”