Fitz Hugh Ludlow says, “Starr King was the Sanitary Commission of California.”  This is but slight exaggeration, for King made it his peculiar mission to raise money as rapidly as possible for the suffering soldiers.  In the interest of the Commission he traveled to every part of the Coast, and in the face of the greatest obstacles became the principal factor in raising $1,235,000, about one-fourth of the entire sum contributed by the country at large.  Under the most favorable circumstances this would have been a phenomenal achievement, but when we learn that in 1862 a flood destroyed over fifty million dollars’ worth of property in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys; that California shipping to the extent of six and one-half millions was also destroyed; that in 1863 a drought entirely ruined the wheat crop, and made hay so scarce that it sold for sixty dollars a ton, resulting in a stagnation in business which threw thousands of men out of employment, in view of these multiplied disasters, we wonder by what fire of patriotism and by what charm of eloquence, Starr King drew from the people so large a sum for use on distant battle fields.  Old Californians still remember those thrilling appeals which few could resist.  We are almost led to believe in the sober truth of such extreme eulogy as we find in “Lights and Shadows of the Pacific Coast,” by S. D. Woods, a venerable San Franciscan, who vividly recalls King’s heroic service in that far off time: 

“King’s personality was magnetic and winning.  Gentleness radiated from him as light radiates from the sun.  No one could resist the charm and fascination of his presence.  It is hard to make a pen picture of his face, for there were lines too pure, lights too fleeting to be caught by words.  In the poise of his head there was nobility and power inexpressible.  There was in his face the serenity of one who had seen a vision, and to whom the vision had become a benediction.  At the time of his death he was the first pulpit orator in America, and without doubt had no superior in the world.”

This large praise might lead to incredulity were it not for the deliberate judgment of Rev. Dr. H. W. Bellows, that as an orator “Beecher and Chapin were his only competitors.  He was the admirer and friend of both, and both repaid his affection and his esteem.  He had the superior charm of youth and novelty, with a nature more varied, and more versatile faculties and endowments than either.  He had a far more artistic and formative nature and genius.  His thoughts ran into moulds of beauty.”

The judgment of California as to Starr King’s unequalled service to the State and the Nation was officially rendered when upon the announcement of his death, the Legislature adjourned for the space of three days after resolving “that he had been a tower of strength to the cause of his country.”