The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-02
THE MISSION TO SPAIN.
The Post Officially rendered to Caleb Cushing
What IS Thought Of His Appointment at
Washington.

The rumored appointment of Hon Ca
leb Gushing as Minister to Spain. in place
of Dan Sickles, was received everywhere,
all over the country, with an incredulous
surprise. At first it could not be believed
and when there followed evidence that
the rumor was true, everybody seemed re
joiced. 1t was known that Mr.. Cushing
had been, for many years, more or less
closely connected with Spain in a legal ca
pacity, and his politics were not regarded
as loyal beyond suspicion, to the Republ-
can party. His capacity to discharge the
duties OF the office are not denied on any
hand his abilities are considered as of the
highest character His intimate knowl-
edge OF Spain and of the Spanish language
will, it is claimed by members of the Adj
ministration, give him influence in his new
position which none other would be likely
to possess. 1t is said that, at the last
Presidential election, he voted for Gen.
Grant. He was not appointed as from
Massachusetts,, but from Virginia, where
iiC hio "a lbl III uCdl IItC OlIy VI LAlCAduulld
and where he has acquired a residence. 1t
is generally conceded that he will be con-
firmed.
CUBAN OPINION On THE APPOINTMENT.
HAVANA, Dec. 2S.-The appointment of
the Hon. Caleb Gushing to be Minister of
the United States to Spain is favOrably re-
ceived here. Spaniards are loud in their
expressions of satisfaction at the resigna-
ton of Gen. Sickles, whom they charge
with instigating many OF the intestine
troubles of the Peninsula.
PUBLIC CAREER OF THE HON. CALEB CUsH-
ING.
The Hon Caleb Gushing, the new Min
lister to Spain, has taken an active part in
National American politics for over 45
years, and been associated with some of
the most important events in the history Of
that period. He was born in Salisbury,
Essex County, Massachusetts, in January,
1900, and descends from an old colonial
family. He was graduated at Harvard,
studied law and was admitted to the bar,
His political career began in 1925, when
he was elected representative from New
burypOrt in the lower House of the Mas
sachusetts Legislature, being supported by
the Adams party, then called National Re
publicans. In 1929 he visited Europe on
q tour of pleasure, and on his return, two
years later, wrote book on Spain, and
one on the French Revolution of 1880, In
1888 he reentered the Massachusetts Leg
islature, and in 1885 was elected from the
Essex north district of Massachusetts tC
Congress, where he served four consecu
tive terms, acting with the Wing party un
til President Tyler came into power, wheT
he sided with the Administration, anC
hencetorth supported the Democratic par
ty Failing to be confirmed in 1913 az
Secretary of the Treasury, for which officC
he had been nominated by President Tyler
he was sent as Commissioner to China
where he negotiated our first treaty with
that empire. Mr., Cushing warmly de
Tended the Mexican war, and falling to in
duce the Massachusetts Legislature to ait
in equipping a volunteer regiment. he fur
nished the requisite sum himself, became
colonel, and proceeded to the seat of war
where he was promptly made brigadier
general In 1S47, while still in Mexi
co, he was nominated for Governo
OF Massachusetts,, but was defeated
Mr.; OusAing represented Newburypor
IN looo Tor tho sixth time in the Legisla
ture vi nus NATIVE State, and was active il
opposing the election Of Mr.. Sumner n
United States Senator, ard the coal;t;o
between the Free Soil AMI 1cmocrat;c mar
ties. After being two years Mayor of New
buryport, and one year Justice of fha S,l
preme Court of Massachusetts, he wa,. or
pointed United States Attorney ener,
by President Pierce in 1858, and held tn;
position four years, dealing with question
of great gravity and complexity. Il
served again in the Massachusetts Legi
lature III 1851, 1858, and 1859. Mr.. Gus
ing presided over the Democratic Conve
ton held in Charleston in 1860 for the nor
iuation of a Presidential ticket and durir
the eventful war period which soon su
ceeded held aloof from public affairs. b
was known to be in sympathy with Il
Union cause, and on one or two occasion
was intrusted with legal business by Il
Administration. In 1866, President job
son, with whose policy the veteran poll
clan was more or less in accord, appoint,
him Commissioner to codify the laws
Congress. During the present Admin
tration he was appointed counsel of Il
United States before the High Tribunal
Arbitration of Geneva, and acquired gre
fame by the able manner in which he co
Quoted his cause to a successful issue. M
Gushing published on his return histo
of that tribunal, which was favorably r
ceived, his structures on Sir Alexand