The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-15
CALEB CUSHING IN THE SENATE

CALEB CUSHING IN THE SENATE.
The nomination of Caleb Gushing for
chief justice startled the whole country.
His name had never been publicly mem
toned in that connection. His recent
party affiliations were obscure and his
reputation at the bar has always been
rather that of shrewd and sharp lawyer
thap profound jurist. The older Repub-
licans also remember him as one of the
most extreme and bitter of their oppo-
nents. He was an ultra pro.slavery man,
defending the bred Scott decision, the
fugitive slave act, in all its atrocious pro-
visions and every measure of the Calhoun
school of politicians. By his efforts and
teachings and such as he, the Democratic
party had been demoralzed and sold out
to the secessionists. He was the very head
aud front of that body of Northern dis
ciples OF Calhoun who encouraged the
South 10 revolt for political purposes, but
deserted them in the conflict, and even
sought to hide their disloyalty In the fede-
ral camps.
The resistance to this nomination was
prompt and vigorous. The President
was undoubtedly led to make it by ad-
visers not rightly informed as to Mr..
Cushing's status, but the Senate has too
many old and sagacious heads to be de-
ceived in such case. The nomination
was met by letter from the rebel
archives, captured at Richmond, which
Mr.. Gushing writes to jeff Davis and
introduces an ally of the rebellion. The
following is the letter as printed:
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
March Il, 1873.
Hon. Jefferson Dacts:
NY Dear Friend-The bearer of this
letter, Archibald Roane, has had seven
years. experience in the Ordnance depart
meat at Washington, and has been an eff
Gle 1t officer. He has been contributor
10 DeBow's Review, where he had dis
cussed the complications and causes which
have resulted in the destruction of the
American Union, and now leaves here for
the Southern Confederacy through loyalty
to the South. think you will find him of
special service to you.
Your friend,
CALEB CUSHING.
The reading of the letter produced quite
sensation, and motion was made and
agreed TO, with no apparent dissent, that
the Judiciary committee wait upon the
President and request him to withdraw the
nomination.
Next comes the following letter from
the late Governor John A. Andrew, OF
Massachusetts, name dear to the heart
of every soldier of the Union, and indis-
solubly associated with our great struggle
for its maintenance:
COMMONWEALTH OF MAssACHU-)
sETrs, Elk. Dept, BOSTON,
April 81, 1861.
Hon Cals5 Ctsling:
Sir-Under the responsibilities of this
hour, RENTED both as man and a magis-
trate to the solemn judgment of con-
science and honor, | must remember only
that great cause of constitutional liberty
and of civilization itself referred to the
dread arbitrament of arms, and | am
bound to say that although our personal
relations have always been agreeable to
myself, and Notwithstanding your many
great qualities fitting you for usefulness.
yet your relation to the public
affairs, your frequently avowed opin-
ion touching the ideas and sen.
tments eff Massachusetts,, and your init
macy Of social. political and sympathetic
intercourse with leading secsssionists of
the rebel states, maintained for years,
and never, unless at this moment discon-
tinued, forbid my finding any place for
you in the council or camp. | am COM
PEELED, sadly, to declare that were to ac-
cept your offer, | should dishearten nu-
mcrous good and loyal men, and tend to
demoralize our military service.
How gladly would have made another
reply TO your note of the 18th instant,
which had the honor to receive yester-
day. | need not declare nor attempt to
express the painful reluctance with which
this is written.
Faithfully, your ob't servant,
JOHN A. ANDREW, Governor.
We rejoice that this nomination has
been rejected. We are now crystalizing
into compact and powerful nation. 1t
is no time to trust any man in high judicial
position who has the slightest faint of the
dangerous and destructive doctrines that
brought on the late civil war.
1T
HALF A MILLION of men and women
arc f,iyt af Abandonment hacauca Noponaoo