The New York herald., 1879-01-03
CALEB CUSHING DEAD.
Last Hours Of the Distinguished States
man, Jurist and DiplOmatiSt.
TRAVELLER, AUTHOR AND CRITIC.
Sketch of q Long and
Eventful Life.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

O'Clock He was unconscious during his last hours,
and he had spoken during the day only when he re-
quired attendance Previous to last July Mr.. Cush-
ing had enjoyed excellent health for of his years
and he appeared vigorous ever. In July he had
an attack of erysipelas, which broke him down ap-
parently but he seemed to rally again and had made
his preparations tor returning to Washington after
the recess OF Congress. He had also accepted an
invitation to deliver Grafton at his home in
this city on the 22d OF February, the
occasion of unveiling the new Washington Mon
ument lately presented to the city by Daniel
/. Tenney, of New York About two weeks ago he
began fail rapidly but did not take his bed until
yesterday. All day to-day he had been perfectly con-
scious and though he talked little lie evidently real
lied his condition. His attending physician DR..
Snow, had been with him since noon and lie was also
attended by his half brother. John N. Cushing; his
nephew Lawrence b. Gushing, and his sisterin-law,
Mrs. William Gushing, widow of another half
brother in whose family had lived since his return
from Spain AT six O'Clock the movement Of
the pulse was scarcely disccrniblc and his
articulation was inaudiblc. About half-past ten
o'clock HERALD correspondent at the house of
Mr.. Cushing and there learned from a member of
the family that the dying man was unconscious and
growing weaker every moment. His physician
thought that the chances of his surviving till morn
ing were unfavorabe and his death looked for ut
any moment.
Mr. Gushing was one of the keenest, brightest and
subtlest intellects America produced. In the
scales Of motherwt political and literary talent and
genius for adapting himself to novel surroundings
he had rival for generation and leaves peer
behind. In permanent sense he the Oldest of
American statesmen who witnessed the advent of the
year 1879, and few living remember the time
when Caleb Gushing not great power behind
the throne. Age could not wither nor custom stale
his infinite variety. He was as much at home as
confidential counsellor during the successive republ
administrations he had been in the early days
Of Harrison and Tyler. jurist, diplomatist,
political manager orator and oracle, writer Of
powers of diction learned historical investigator
traveller who comprehended at sight the situation of
every land he visited he also distinguished
Inguist and might have made his fortune a wit OF
a poet. His military added another to the
many roles in which he appeared prominently before
the public.
The students of the new science of heredity will
surely claim that much of the rare ability of EIr
Cushing was due to the sturdy New England stock
from which he sprang both sides. Descended
from several of the earliest settlers Scuate Mass
he was a near kinsman of several eminent jurists
one OF whonl-Thomas Cushing-was of the FORE
most patriots of Massachusetts, in 1775 and another
William Cushing-was of the first Justices Of the
Supreme Court OF the United States and declined in
1885, the post of Chief Justice, rendered him by
Washington. The father of the late statesman Cap
tain John N. Cushing opulent shpowner at
Salisbury, near Newburyport. Essex county Mass.
then port enjoying large commerce with the West
Indies and other foreign lands, though now that
traffic has been concentrated at Boston.
Caleb Cushing was born at Salisbury January IT,
1900; his years were consequently accurately num-
bered by those of the century lie was fitted for col
lege at the Salisbury public school, and sent to
Harvard College almost as soon as he entered his
teens. His college career was remarkable for the
eager zest with which he grasped the details Of every
science having any connection with history which
always the subject Of his chief interest He won
the honors of the sauatory Grafton and was gralu-
sed in 1877 at the early age OF years He
remained at Cambridge after graduating. preparing
himself for legal career; but four years must
clapsc before he could be admitted to the bar
bis chief employment consisted in revellny
in the historical treasures of the Harvard
Library. In 1919 he delivered a poem be-
fore the celebrated Phi Beta Kappa Society
and in the year pronounced grafton ION the
Durability of the Federal Union the occasion of
taking the degree of Master of Arts. He had been
from his youth an eager politician, and OF course
ranked himself among the federasts. In 1919 he
was appointed tutor in mathematics and natural
philosophy in Harvard College, and filled that post
for two years. About the time he began to con-
tribute historical articles to every number Of the
North american RecieU, and at the present day
the student who refers to the pages of
Poolcs Index to Periodical Literature, is ns
tonished at the range OF subjects on which
he is referred TO these early essays authority
Little then known OF the revolutions ranspiri,ig
in Buenos Ayres. in Chilli, Peru, Colombia Central
America Mexico and Hayti but all these subjects
Tutor Cushing presented most accurate and valuable
lp flo LAT st..
Greek revolution and other great political conyul
sions in Europe. Mr.. Cushing has always been the
stormy petrol OF contemporaneous history-nothing
attracted him so irresistbly a revolution no mat
ter in what part of the world it might occur.
In 1871 Mr.. Gushing removed to Newburyport
which was thenceforth his home, and he was there
admitted to the bar in 1922. His professional career
immediately successful, and he soon re-
garded as one of the most promising young lawyers
OF the State. Ills legal practice however. did not
prevent his devotng portion OF his time to the
study of the musty archives of the town. and he
printed in 1925 ''History of Newburyp port, which
though not remarkable for compreheDsiveness was
an extremely useful manual and almost the pioneer
in a branch of literature enjoying great vogue
in New England. In 1924 Mr.. Cushing married Miss
Caroline Wilde, daughter of Judge Wide of Boston
an accomplished lady of literary and political tastes
who contributed not little to the brilliant success
of her husbands career. About the time he
prepared small manual OF "Thc Practical Principles
of Political Economy
BEGrSS1Sa Mr.. cUsnrEe's PUBLIC CAREER.
Mr.. Cushng's political career began In 1925 when
he elected TO tho lower branch the Aiassac hi-
setts Legislature. The year following he u mem
Der OF the state Senate. lie nlled bDh positions with
ability and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
After his two years service in the Legislature he
gave two years TO the exclusive practice OF his
profession. when In 1923, hc went 10 Europe
tour of observation and study. Although attaining
high profo success and evincng great interest
in the political movements of the day, Mr.. Gushing
continued TO pursue his literary studies with ardor
and his reputation writer and thinker grew apace
with hs career lawyer and politician. upon his
return from Europe lie published his "Reminis-
ccnces of Spain tS3) and also 'lievicw Historical
aud Political of the Late Revolution in France
nrla tsHff ~
volumes. gave hini considerable literary standing
In 1883 Mr. Cushing again elected 10 the Mas
sachusetts Legislature. and hc reelected the fol-
lowing year In 1895 he elected 20 Congress from
The North Essex district. and he three times re-
elected serving in the House Of Representatives from
1885 1s43. Politically Mr.. Gushing began his career
ss a whig, and no continued 10 act with that party
till after the death of President HARRISON when he
cast his fortunes with those of John Tyler aud 80
severed all his old party relations
MIR. CoSGnESs
In Congress Mr.. Cushing showed all the great pow