The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-03-02
= Pronounced, Sulay.
From the Boston Post.
SKETCH OF COL. GUSHING,

IL.
Inc honorable and conspicuous position which
'he commander OF the Massachusetts regiment of
volunteers occupies in the public eye, may render
brief account of his life interesting at this
time. '
Col. Gushing was born in Newburyport on the
18th OF January, 1900. and is consequently now
Just entered on his 48th year In 1873. he was
sem sen, 10 Harvard University, and graduated in
1918, with high reputation even at that carly
age. for his general attachments as scholar. and
great force of character He was in the class
win Mr.. Bancroft, our minister to England.
hlter graduating, he remained two years at Cam
bridge, studying law under Asahel Stearns the
hrst professor of law attached to the uniyersitv
and among his fellow students was Rufus Choate
In 1919, he was appointed tutor in mathematics
and natural philosophy, and held the office two
years, his connection with the university thus GOV
ering period of seven years. In 1921. he re-
turned to Newburyport. and passed another year
In the study OF the law in the office of Fbenzer
Mosely, Esq In 1922, he commenced the prac-
tice of the law. and at once gave evidence of his
great abilities. In 1923, he was married to Miss
Caroline Wilde, daughter of Judge Wilde of the
supreme judicial court, and lady of rare intelIec
lec'ual endowments In 1926, he was elected
representative to the general court, and the same
year was chosen vice president of the Phi Beta
Kappa Society, Edward Everett being president
At this time, Caleb Gushing had become n
marked man, and was pointed out as one CAPABLE
of attaining high position in public life, if he
sought such career. In 1926, he was elected
to the state senate for Essex county.
He continued in the successful practice of tho law
at Newburyport till 1929, when he went to Europe
with his wife, and travelled there two years
While travelling. Mrs Gushing found time to
write home series Of highly Interesting letters
which Were afterwards collected and printed. nm
der the title of " Letters on France and Snain "
Col Gushing in the mean time, EMPLOYED himself
WIN unceasng Industry in obtaining knowledge
OF lne laws institutions. statistics, and literature
OF the countries which they visited. In 1882.
and about year after their return to this country
| MIS- Gushing died, and in her Col GUSHING lost
companion who appreciated his superior talents
ana active genius. sympahsed with his views
and objects. and encouraged him in all his lahore
She left no child. Not marrying again, he doyo
ted himself entirely to literary pursuits and public
affairs. In 1888 and '34, he again served in the
general court as representative from his native
town, and In the latter year he was elected TO con-
gress, and was reelected for three successive
terms, bot before the close of the last he declined
a denomination.
| When he wings generally broke with Presi.
dent Tyler on the bank question, Col. Cushino
sustained him in all matters which he deemed
necessary in order to carry on the government,
in manner honorable to the country. In this
|
riotic principle. that there is limit beyond
which no public man or citizen should oppose the
administration OF his country, whatever NAV be
his views of some portions Of its policy. On the
Sd of March. 1913. the last day of the session
and OF his term Of service in congress, Col. Cush
ing was three times nominated to the senate for
the office of secretary Of the treasury, but. such
was their evaporation account of the presidents
vetnes, the bank wings often refused to confirm
| the nomination.
Although the office ofsecreary of the treasury
had been withheld from him by confirming power,
he did not long remain out of honorable public
employment. Edward Everett, then minister TO
England, having declined the appointment to the
new and important mission to China, it was ten
dered tn and accepted by Col. Cushing, and in
July, 1913, he sailed in the steam ftipate Missonri
At Gibraltar, in August, that vessel was DESTROYED
| by fire, and Colonel Gushing, with his character
&c promptitude and energy, and without wai,ino
tor instructions from his government, forthwith
proceeded by the way ofEgypl and India to China
and, in six months, overcoming every conceivable
obstacle thrown 10 his way by the public func.
tionaries OF that dimIy lighted celestial nation.
succeeded IN negotiating treaty, and establishing
regular diplomatic relations between that iealous
people and the United States. particular ac.
count OF the mpediments Interposed at every step
| OF MS movements, before he reached tbrou0h the
proper medium, the ear Of the august brother of
'he pun and Moon, would I'LL large volume
Having accomplished with unexpected expedi-
Ilon the great object Of his mission, he reformed in
1874, 10 the United States through Mexico baving
made almost complete circuit Of the globe by
land and sea, within belt Of 40 degrees, in less
than one year. In 1915, he started on tour 10
the northwest territories, aud explored them in
every direction, particularly in the regions of all
the great lakes, and after exposure and bardships
incident to such tour, sleeping in the woods
week after week, hunting or fishing for his daily
food, far from all vesges ofcyization. he retprn
ed to his home in Newburyport last fall and few
days after found himself by The votes of both DO
Ica parties, again elected to represent his native
town IN the legislature, by majority far exceed
ing that given for sny Of his colleagues The