Ronald Reagan - the great communicator - today took his place in Statuary Hall at the US Capitol. But he had to knock someone out to get there. That someone is a far less known but perhaps also a significant historical figure whose communication skills changed the face of the world.
Thomas Starr King, a Unitarian minister from California, was known as the "orator who saved the union." No less than Abraham Lincoln praised King's tireless and fiery speeches across California and credited him with preventing California from seceding from the union. He organized the west coast chapter of the Sanitary Commission, which provided care for wounded soldiers, and his oratory moved citizens to donate more than $1.5 million (remember that was 1864) - more than 1/5 of the total of donations in the entire country.
Despite these significant achievements, King is not well know - even in his home state of California. When the state legislature voted in 2006 to remove King's statue to make room for Ronald Reagan there was only one dissenting vote. By and large members of the chamber said they really didn't know much about King and the vote was called as the last act before the end of the session.
The King statue will find a home in the statehouse in Sacramento where it will be moved later this summer.
Whatever the shuffling of bronze pieces on the bi-coastal chessboard, California boasts two figures who changed their world by mastering the art of communication and language, by calling people to action using only their words to stir their passions and their patriotism.
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