The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-03-06

Republicans who opposed Cushing did
ecaus he had presided over the
convention, and had east
his vote with the Breckenridge wing
OF the Democratic party in the cam
paign of 1869. They recalled the fact
that Governor John A. Andrew, of
Massachusetts, had declined to en-
ploy Mr.. Gushing In a military capacity
In 1861, despite his excellent record in
the Mexican war, 1t was also claimed
that he had denounced the reconstruc-
too Legislation of Congress as uncon-
The contest grew very ami
mated, and finally a caucus of Repub-
lican Senators was called to consider
the matter. Cushing's cause was adj
vocated by Sumner and others, who
vouched for his loyalty during the
war, and for his sympathy with the re-
construction legislation of Congress.
Had matters rested there he would
have boon confirmed, but they didn't.
Senator Sargent, of California, rose
and read the following letter
WASHINGTON, March goth, 1851.
DEAR SIR: Mr.. Archibald Roane,
for the last six or seven years q clerk
in the Attorney Generals office, de-
sires from me q letter of introduction
to you, and he deserves it, not in the
view of anticipating administrative
favors, but that he may have the honor
OF your personal intercourse. OF this
l take pleasure in assuring you he is
eminently worthy. A Southern man
by birth. family and affection, he has
carefully studied and ably discussed in
Mr.. DeBow's Review, and other South
ern works, the lamentable events
which have been gradually undermin-
ing, and have at last overthrown, the
American Union. While a practical
man, he ia u ripe and accomplished
scholar, with, indeed, predominant lit
erary tastes and habits. In the dis
charge of his official duties, he has
continued in q singular degree the
purest integrity and most enlightened
intelligence, with modest contentment
In his lot. Having more than once de-
ciined offices of more conspicuous en-
ployment in the public service, he now
resigns his present Office from senti-
ments of devotion to that which alone
he a feel to be his country, namely,
the Confederate States, from one of
which CTexas) he was appointed. ]
most heartily commend him as a gen
tleman and Il man to your confidence
and esteem, and l am, with the high.
est consideration, your obedient ser.
want, G., GUSHING.
Hon. Jefferson Davis, President OF
the Confederate States.
The reading of this letter put an enc
to all chance of C~ushing's confrma-
ton. Senator Sargent explained that
that morning he had received an an
onymous letter calling his attention tc
tho existence of the letter he had read,
and telling him it was among the Con.
federate archives the Government had
bought, and which were then in its pos.
session. He had gone at once, he said,
and examined these archives, finding
the letter he had just read, and OF
shown his copy to President Grant
and then had gone to the caucus loaded
for bear. Grant had the original let.
tor sent him for inspection, and i'm.
mediately decided to withdraw Cush.
lng's name. Cushing, learning the
turn matters had taken, sem the Presi.
dent a note asking hat his name be
Withdrawn. it was asuperfiuous act or
his part. His name was withdrawn or
Jan. ., having been before the Senate
just six days.
Previous to his nomination for Chiet
Justice, Gushing had been nominated
and g" firmed as minister to Spain, 8
mission he filled with great credit tc
himself and advantage to his country
In connection with this appointment ar
interesting story is told. The Virgins
affair was still pending.
President Grant sent for Cushing and
said to him
"Mr. Gushing, I want you to go as
minister to Spain"
a civil official, Mr.. President Z? In
other words, sir, is this an order or 9
request?
This is an order, Mr.. Cushing" re.
piled Grant with a smile.
Very WE'LL" said Cushing, 81 will
be ready to go whenever the Senate
confirms my nomination."
After Cushing's name was withdrawn
that of Morrison E. Waite, of Ohio.
was sent in for Chief Justice on Jan.
uary 70, 1874, f~avorably reported on
the goth, and confirmed on the 2lst.
Cushing's letter was compared 70
that which caused the expulsion from
the Senate on February 5, 1862, OF
Jesse D.. Bright. of Indiana. Mr..
Brlght's letter was as follows:
WASHINGTON, March /, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR: Allow me to in
troduce to your acquaintance my friend,
Thomas Il. Lincoln, of Texas. He
visits your capital mainly to dispose of
what he regards q great improvement
IN firearms. | commend him to your
favorable consideration as a gentleman
OF the first responsibility, and reliable
in every respect.
Very truly yours,
JESSE d. BRIGHT.
10 His Excellency, Jefferson Davis,
President Confederate States.
1t is something of q coincidence that
both the gentlemen who brought Bright
and Gushing to grief hailed from
IeXas. And it is another that Aaron
a.. Sargent, who discovered the Cush-
ing letter, was born in Newport, Mass,
where Gushing, then a man of 81, lived
and practiced law and which, at the
time OF Sargent's birth, he represented
In the State Senate.
Another of President Grants nomi-
nees for the Supreme Court who failed
OF confirmation was r.. lockwood
Hoar, as he called himself, or EbeneZer
Is. Hoar as he appears in the records
OF the Senate While he was ATTORNEY
Genera he was on December Is, 1863.
nominated for Associate Justice and
on February 3, 1870, rejected. There
was no question Of his ability, integrity,
or loyalty. He was defeated because
he had an acrid temper and had quar-
relied vigorously with Republican SEN
atOrs.
SO far as can be gathered from the
published records the following is a
complete list of nominations to the Su-
preme Court which failed of confrma-
ton, except those named above and
and