New-York tribune., 1880-01-18

nerlte0 an unusual snare Oh niS ldtnci ""'
he was handicapped from the start partly by the
paternal fame. which great enough to crush
him. and partly by certain pecularities Of charac-
ter and conduct which were also inherited. queer
stories came from China about the American Com
mission but it is unnecessary. and it might be con-
sidered in bad taste and violation of the rule de
mortuis to repeat them here. Mr. Fletcher Webster
slipped easily into the Democratic party and the
Democratic party put him into good ofhce, and
took better care of him than he was capable OF tax
ing of himself He was a faithful follower anu
baked at nothing which the party demanded
When the ruffian Brooks nearly murdered Charies
Sumner on the floor of the Senate, Mr. Fletcher MeD-
ster said in a speech, thatif MIR. Sumner would III
dulge in such attacks as that which he maze upon
Senator Butler Mr. Brookss uncle he ought at least
to take the precautiOn of wearing an iron pot on
his head" Colonel Webster probably
littIe sorry for this Infamous remark when the
vounp Republcans of Boston stretched line across
Hanover street, from which depended an iron pot
with over it, the inscription: FLETCHER WeDsters
Congressional Hat" Boston, or the better part OF
it, sick of compromises and OF experimental uhloh
saving, was then In no mood for such jests. those
who saw Charles Francis Adams in Quincy. night
or two after that shameful assault, at meeting
called to express the public opinion OF H. would
have understood something of the Revolutionary
wrath which boiled in his grandfatheis VEINS All
the coldness of Mr. Adams's nature was turned to
a red heat and so full was he of righteous anger
that it could hardly be expressed in words. There
were those who said that it was the hatred OF the
South which was traditional in the family; bnt
whatever It was ii seemed exceedingly natural and
wholesome in those awakening days L saw OLD
Josiah Quincy. whose statue they nave just
set up in Boston, when at the koXDuy
line that venerable man. surrounded by an enor-
nous crowd welcomed the outraged Senator nome
after his partial recovery, and told him how, IN
1924 he had greeted Lafayette as the gnest OF the
municipality upon that very spot. Those VINO
marked the emotion with which the outraged
Senator was greeted upon that day might, without
much prophetic inspiration, have predlcteu INC
stormy struggle which was not far off,
Mr. Cushing of whom il is necessary to say some
thing more. was never popular man IN Massachu-
setts nor do think that he cared much for popu-
larity lie had other arts than those of tue dema-
porue which served his purpose quite as well. l
ought however, to say that in Newburyp0rt he was
held IN great local esteem and If there be any credit
in the steady attachment of ones nelghDors, MT
Cushing was entitled TO it. The town was always
ready to send him to the State Legislature when
ever he was ready to go there. When 1t became a
city. as a particular honor, II made HIM It's hrst
Mayor Politics. however, had nothing to do with
this nor with his appointment as Judge OF the SUI
nreme Court of the State--a place which he did not
bold long. His career in Mexico did him no good-a
single line in James Russell LowelPs iiglow
Papers blasted all his military laurels. The SOL
diers who served under him did not love him-there
WAS talk of cruel and unusual punishments, and
story of one private who threatened fierce revenge
if ever opportunity shOud present ITSELF There
were other scandals early and late. but the man
kept on. and was always employed, particularly
in difficult business, because lac worked so well.
But when he failed to become Chief Jrstlce OF the
United States, am afraid that there was not much
regret in Massachusetts, 1t was admitted that he
wonld have made an excellent Judge, hut the nom
nation was withdrawn. The fact requires no COM
ment
The conservatism OF Boston died hard, if, indeed,
i, be altogether dead to-day Its representatives
still surviving have taken refuge in the Democratic
partv in historical societies, and in benevolent cor
poratlons. There are among them men whom it is
impossible not to respect, and whose inability
longer to participate in public affairs Is some
thing which the public has real reason TO regret.
know that when the Republican party was in tho
procegs of formation in Massachusetts, IT was
thought to be exceedingly desirable that the adhe-
sion of certain gentlemen of deserved elpihence
should be secured; and that every effort consistent
with self respect made to secure IT. They had
their chance them and If, either from prejudice or
lingering personal anmosies, they failed to M
prove it, the Republican leaders were not to blame.
Mr. Henry Wilson was man who unquesionabiy
expected and intended to have his full share OF
what are unpleasantly called "the spoils" and
when he had set his heart upon anything, he usu-
aly obtained it sooner later, for his persistency
was great as well as his natural capacity for public
affairs. never thought him to be particularly
scrupulous hut | always considered him far
man. whose word usually required few grains OF
allowance; aud have heard him twenty timos re-
pret that certain distinguished members OF the old
Wbic marty would not accept the situation and take
the Mace to which their talents and private charac
ter entitled them in the councils of the new party.
Principle apart, he thought they were losing
great chances, as iDdubtaby they were. In old
times MI Wilson had been associated with them in
nolitics as q Wing; he had fought with them
many hard battle won or lost; and he did not
love the Massachusetts, Democrats at all, ofton as
he consented to coalesce with them. Once when
there WAS conference of Liberal Wings, who saw
plainly enough that the days Of Whiggery were
over and who were anxious that there should be
party embodying the now opinions and equal 10
the new occasions a highly respectable gentleman
whom il is unnecessary to NAME sad; Il should
like to see Mr. Henry Wilson, and talk with him
about this matter" ! do not know why, but 1t was
then generally thought that nothing could be ef-
fected without the cooperation of this same highly
respectable gentleman, and happening to know
where Mr.. Wilson could at that moment be found,
took the liberty of going after him. and of per-
suading him to join the company. But nothing
came of it. Mr. Wilson talked in large, free way.
which gave deep and abiding impression OF his
tact and good Judgment; and tho other gentleman
of respectablty) said in reply that he should like
to have "some evidence of the repentance
of Mr. Wilson and his associates" After that there
was not much to be proftably said. but did ven
ture to ask if 1t was expected that the old Con-
...ould atnnd In shnnts