New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-31


Priyatcenng was the only naval warfare possible TO
the colonIsts. The Essex eips scattered III all
directions proving upon English commerce Win
great damage to the enemy. and much benefit TO
themselves and their country. Many of these SHIPS
were owned by the Cabots and Lees, and had signal
success During this time Mr. Gahot was often chosen
to the State Legislature. Ia 1880 he took IA active
part in the Convention for formnga Stare Consutl-
ton and i'm 1882 was elected State senator from Is
sex In 17SS he was q member of the Massachusetts
Convention 70 consider he adoption of the Federal
Constitution in which assembly, though not q fire.
quent speaker, lie cxerted powerful inilnehce' "a
well by the weight Of his character as OF lbs argli-
mcnts. Ia June. 1874, Nr Cabot was elected to the
Senate of the United States and took has scat IN the
following Autumn. Ills colleague in the Senate
from Massachusetts, was Caleb Strong, with whom
he maintained q warm and intimate friendship
throughout his life. Mr.. Cabot's services in the
State Convention had made him widely known
and he ut once took high position among the Fed
cralist leaders in the National Government. His
attention was chiefly directed TO affairs of
commerce and finance. lie was most assiGuous in
his devotion to the duties of his office He never
failed to be present at the opening Of The session
and bat once asked leave Of absence during bis term
of service. He had 40 fondness for public life, but
whatever office he undertook to fill he gave ii
his constant care and attention. The careie,sness
Of Senators in regard TO their attendance and the
troubles arising from continued absences from their
posts. called forth deep sense of disapprovai and
was commented OF with just severity.
While still q member of the Senate Mr. Cabot re-
tired from active mercantile business, AID removed
from Beverly to Brookliue where ne had purchased
a modest homestead. The old-fashioued house, with
its gable-ends. Is sill standing the spot where
broad streets have replaced thenar country lane,
odoron, with sweet-briar, which formerly wound its
way through the estates of q single p0sscss0r The
farm covered the slopes of hill and stretched far
away over lands now tickly dotted with modern
villas In the latter part Of May. 1896, Mr.. Cabot
returned from Philadelphia, then the seat of Con-
qress, to Brooklinc, aud Immediately after sent in
his resi- gnation to the Legislature. lie led to
thi, step by his aversion to the aspertics OF politics
which every day grew more personal and more bit
ter and his fondHess for q life of leisure and quiet
which was now opon TO him by his retirement from
business.
After the defeat Of the Federal party in 1901, Mr..
Cabot withdrew still further from public action in
politics. but in spite of his forebodngs the fate
Of the country and his disgust with the internal dis
seusions Of the party he was still regarded a chief
IN counsel whose wisdom was relied as the condi-
tom of safe guidance. His life at this time quiet
and secluded but filed with daily content. His
household was small, and its affairs were conducted
with WISE simplicity. Though fond of the country,
he did not enjoy the details of farming and udici0u-
IL leased his estate to tenant. WIKI the exception
of occasional visits Boston he little Of society
His old party friends from other States were
and then entertained athIs home but the only erson
that he saw regularly was Fisher Ames. with whom
he constantly nterchanged visits and whose society
was always one Of his highest pleasures His prince
pal resource was found in his library Books were to
him nnfaIng and eycf-wclcome friends. 4 life Of
such perfect retirement and leisure suited well with
his disposition but at length domestic duties
quircd change, which put end To this secluded
existence His sons were established at Boston,
and were unable to be with their father except on
sunday. MIR. Cabot was unwilling TO submit 20 the
separation and from this motive hc sold his farm iii
Rrookluc, and early IN the year 1903 removed to
Boston where he passed the remaining twenty years
OF his life.
The Hartford Convention was the last occasion Of
Nr. CabOts appearance in any public capacity.
Ills lifc Of retirement after that time flowed in
mmoken tranquility. Even his correspondence
ceased. Most Of his old friends, like himself mad
pow retired from public life. Many Of them were
dead. No motive remained for the toll Of letter
writing. His occupations during the last year OF
his life were Of the same nature those
his retirement from the United Statcs Senate.
His Office AZ President Of au Insurance
Company led him to the resorts If merchants among
whom he had many friends. After the morning Che
day was devoted 10 reading and study and social in
tercourse. His house was seldom without visitors
in the evening. for his society was highly esteemed.
His last wears were rot clouded by any domestic
grief In this happy way the years gllded 10y, when
in sol ne was first attacked bv the painful internal
malady which proved fatal in the course of two
vcaIs Ilo died on the 1Sth Of April, 1923, meeting
death with the same composurc which he had ex-
hioited in all the trials Of life
The personal sketch Of iIr. Cabot by his bog
rapher represents him aS of preposss ssng appear
au,c large and powerfully built, and more than
six fcrt n stature. His expression was of great
dignity aud repose IIc had a low musical voice,
bat one Of great power and very attractive. Ills
manners were uniformly gentle and courteous.
Though not IN orator and agerse to speaking in
public. his conversational powers were remark
able lie poured forth the results OF patient thought
and study in sinculary graceful and Impressive
language. His influence in his own immediate cir
Gle was almost uboundcd. AZ the lime Of his death,
he was spoken Of ia the public pFinto the Neg
for tLc wise cool colsderltc counsellor of most OF
the intelligent statesmen on tie Federal side" HIS
favorlto studies, as has been said, were in the
natural sciences and in political economy; bat
he did not neglect lighter literature. The English
classics were well represented in his library.
MIR. Cabot was bred in the Congregational
Church Of Ncw-England, and retained somewhat
Of tie Puritan spirit in his character. He was q
constant attendant on religious services and firm
supporter of ecclesiastical institutions. Hsoplnions
were liberal; i'm the controversy between the Oftho-
dox aud n;tariaus which occurred toward the close
M al. ife he sided with the latter: bis Letters TO his