The Portland daily press., 1874-01-12
The Chief JuGticeshin


Why the nomination of Caleb Gushing TO
be Chief Justice is 50 great surprise as
it is reported to be in political circles, can
hardly be imagined. Washington specials
have spoken of him in connection with the
office while Mr.. Williams was in the hands
of his enemies and many journals expressed
the wish that Gen. Grant had made Gen.
Gushing Chief Justice rather than Minister
to Spain. We confess that we believed when
the nomination was made that it would be
acceptable on all sides, since the venerable
lawyer has survived all the parties to which
he ever belonged and has seen nearly every
political theory which he has advocated in a
lifetime spanning that part of the nine
teenth century which has passed, either out
grown or forgotten because of non-import-
ance or demonstrated to be false in principle
or impossible Of application, so that there is
now no occasion for him to be a partizan
For several years he has given no attention to
party politics either because he has outlved
his interest therein or has discovered his want
OF adaptation to the trade. In view of these
facts, we are surprised when we learn that
the nomination will receive formidable oppo-
sition in the Senate among the Presidents
party friends and that leading Republican
papers like the New York Times, Boston Ad-
vertiser, and lesser ones like the Washington
Chronicle express disapproval Of it and that
the World and Tribune declare that it is far
from satisfactory.
Caleb Cushing, in many respects, is one of
the most remarkable men in the country.
Born January 18th, 1900, after surviving the
events of nearly three quarters of century,
during which time in various walks oflife, he
has been an unceasing worker, he retains
vigorous constitution and mind as clear and
acute as the majority of men possess at fifty.
Indeed, it is said that those long acquainted
with Linn, can not see that his wonderful and
versatile powers of mind are at all clouded by
the mist of time. At the age of seventeen,
Mr.. Gushing graduated with honor at Har-
ward, after which he was tutor two years in
mathematics and natural philosophy. He
studied law at Cambridge and in 1922 COM
menced practice in Newburyport. He enter
ed politics in 1886 as representative from
that town to the General Court" In 1929
he went abroad where he remained two years,
and on his return published "reminiscences
of Spain" and a review of the Revolution in
France. For years he was, also. one of the
best contributors to the North American Re-
view. After several Intellectual attempts, he
was first elected to Congress from the Essex
district as Wing, where he continued until
1S43. During the Tyler administration, he
was conspicuous in the National House as
partizan of the President and at its close
Joined the Democratic party where lie re-
NAMED until its career was practically closed
in the late rebellion, since which time he has
shown but little interest in party politics.
Under President Tyler he negotiated an i'm
portant treaty with China. In 1S47 he was
warm advocate of the Mexican war and was
made Colonel of Massachusetts regiment
and afterwards a Brigadier-General by Presi-
dent Polk. In 1851 he was made Justice
of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts
which Office he held until President Pierce
made him his Attorney General. He was
President of the Democratic National Con-
vention in Charleston in 1850 which broke up
in a split supporting JEFF Davis for the party
nominee with Gen. Butler. At the begin
ming of the rebellion he made a speech in
Newburyport in favor Of vigorous prosecu-
ton of the war and CD several occasions Of
fered his services to the government in mil
itary capacity. On the other hand, it is said
that he objected to patriotic tunes dur
ing the war. Having reached the "philo-
sophie age,'' he devotes himself to law and
literature. III 1872 it is said that he voted for
Grant and Wilson. His last important pub
lie service was in the capacity of Senior
Counsel of the United States in the Geneva
arbitration which he conducted with unex-
ampled ability far surprising his British OPP
ponents. He speaks fluently four languages,
is a man of great fascination as speaker,
unsurpassed as newspaper writer, furnish
ing Mr.. Forney with his best editorials when
Attorney General, land of matchless excellence
as practitioner in the Supreme Court. His
close application, wonderful power and MEM
DRY have made him an authority in all affairs
OF the government where he is frequently
employed. To-day he is undoubtedly the
best informed man in the country.
1t is charged by those who oppose him for
Chief Justice that he is hostile to all the
changes and measures growing out of the
civil war and that the present is not time
for Chief Justice with secession procIivities
or bred Scott faint. In reply to this it may
be said that Gen. Gushing has shown great
versatility in his political beliefs; for, from
being Wing with Federalst:c tendencies, he
became Democrat of the most positive
type; and, judged by the miraculous change
of political conviction which has occurred in
other men, it is quite possible that he, too,
has seen the folly of his ways.
Gen Gushing is IA years of age and conse-
quenty can, if he wish, retire from the bench
on full pay the same day he takes his seat.