The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-01-22
Latest from Washington.

messages and the letter of Caleb Cushing,
and therefore they become publie The
letter of Mr. Gushing to Jefferson Davis
was not among the papers transmitted to
the senate
To the Senate of the United States /:
Since nominating the Hon. Caleb CashinP
for chief justice of the suprem court OF
the United States, Information has reach
ed me which induces me to withdraw him
from nomination as the highest judicial
officer Of the government. and do there
fore hereby withdraw the said nomina
ton.
U. S GRANT.
Executive Mansion, January Is 1871,
To the Senate of the United States
After singing the above Withdrawal | have
received from the Hon Caleb Cushing
whose nomination, it is proper TO say, was
made without his knowledge letter re
ouesting the Withdrawal of his name, a
copy of which is herewith attached.
U. S. GRANT
Executive Mansion, January II, 18Th
To the President Sir-Animated BY
the sense of profound gratitude for the
honor you have done me in nominating
me to the high Office of chief justice OF
the supreme court of the United States,
and perceiving that the continuance OF
my name before the senate may be the
cause or occasion of Inconvenience to
yourself or your political friends, re-
speetfully request you to withdraw the
nomination.
Permit me to add that the charge OF
,sloyalty to the Union and the constitu
ton which are brought against me in this
connection are utterly destitute OF founda
ton in truth or in fact. Indignantly re
pei the imputation. In all the times an
terror to the commencement of hostillties
in the southern States. every act of my
political life in whatever relation of par
ties, was governed by the single dominaut
purpose Of aiming to preserve the threa
tened integrity of the Union and to avert
from my country the calamity of its dis
ruption and of consequent fratricida
carnage How could such purpose be
promoted otherwise than by political a.
sociation or personal intercourse with citi
zens of different states, including those
states prolcssedly disa affected to the Union
Should the only possible means of labor
ing to prevent civil war be stigmatized as
disloyalty to the constitution But im
mediately on the occurrence of the first
act of hostility to the Union being struck
in the state of South Carolina | took my
stand with the Union and its government
[ publicly announced my adherence to
them in the most unequivocal terms and
tendered ny services to the government
in the field, or in any way which might
testify my filelty to it, and | have con
tinued from that day to this as well il
official action. to tread in the path OF un
swerving devotion to the Union, whethe
during the actual progress of hostilitie
against il or in the subsequent events o
its reconstruction and of the successiv,
amendments of the constitution rendere,
necessary by the changed conditions ant
relations OF the several states Of the Uui
ted States aud of their respective inhabi
tants. The recent amendments Of tht
constitution. each and all of them as the,
were in turn adopted, and the Legislative
acts for their enforcement and for ac
complishIng reconstruction, had my CO
operation and adhesion, and | have sup
ported them constantly, il not in politica
debate, for which my comparatively re
served habits OF life afforded neither oc
casion or opportunity, yet in legal opin
ion, or in the courts and in counsel o
discussion with officers Of the govern
ment, members of congress and privat
persons; and entertaining the same genia
respect for these amendments as for tn
other provisions Of the constitution ano
also rendering the special observance du
TO them as the just and necessary Incl
dents of the reconstruction of the Union
While my nomination was uDdergoin;
consideration in the senate it would hav,
been unbecoming for me to speak in ex
planation of my acts or my opinions bu
now, with relative Indifference to what
ever else may have been said, either hon
estly or maliciously, to my prejudice,
belongs to my sense of public duty, an
it is my right to reafirm and declare tha
have never, iu the long course of no
inactive life, done an act, uttered wor
or conceived thought of disloyalty {
the constitution or the Union. | hav
the honor to be, very respectfully.
G. CUSHING.
Washington, January II, 1874.
Numerous and conflicting versions hav
been given Of the contents of the lette
of Caleb Cushing to Jefferson Davis, bu
the following is copy of the original ;
WASHINGTON March 20, 1861 -Dea
Sir: Mr.. Archibald Roane, for the la:
six or seven years clerk in the attorne
generals Office, desires from me lette
of introduction to you. and he desires,
not in the view of anticipating admins
trative favor, but that he may have th
honor of your personal intercourse
this take pleasure in assuring you-h
is eminently worthy A southern ma
by birth, family and affection, he hs
carefully and ably discussed in Mr.. d
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