The Washington times., 1903-01-18
Five Of the Six Men With
the Rank Of Ambassador.
Now Serving in Europe,
Are Graduates Of the Old
University IN Cambridge.
Others IN Official Position.

graduates. Such representation among
the leading diplomats of our nation has
never before in our history been Efvcr
to any institution of learning
Our interests in Great Britain. France.
Italy, Germany, and Austria are in the
hands of men who wore the crimson and
defended the honor of the university IN
all the realms Of college activities.
Not only are Harvard men dominant
IN The embassies of the countries named.
but during the past five years they have
represented their nation in the courts
Of Great Britain. France, Germany.
Italy, Austria. Russia. Belgium. and
Spain. The most popular and perhaps
the most able of these is Joseph
Hodges Choate. %
Family of Choates.
The Choates were an old family which
settled in Chebacco. Ipswich. Mass. in
1888. DIT. George Choate. the father Of
Joseph. was graduated from Harvard in
1918. not. however. with Phi Beta Kappa
honors. Later. when each of his four
sons had attained this distinction upon
graduation, he was elected to honorary
membership himself Margaret Manning
Hodges) Choate was the mother Of the
bo-s-
Joseph Hodges Choate was born in
Salem in 1892, the youngest Of the four
brothers. all Of whom were noted for
the quality of their scholarship AMI their
integrity Of character while in college.
The eldest brother, George, since de
ceased. who was many years at the head
of the State Hospital for the Insane,
was in the first eight Of his Harvard
class Charles F. Choate was the first
scholar in the class of 40. William C.
Choate, later judge Of the United States
District Cour. in New York, was the
first scholar in the class Of 1852, the
same class in which Joseph ranked as
fourth scholar
Beaten by His Brother.
But in spite Of being beaten by a few
points in the race for final honors. Jo-
seph was rather more prominent in col
lege than his brother and cIassmate
William.
He vas agreeable, popular, and during
his career at Cambridge was known as
any easy and pleasing speaker. cultivat-
ing the conversational in oratory. and
being one CT the pioneers OF this mode Of
addressing an audience. He was a mem
Der Of the Hasty Pudding. Alpha Deta
Phi. The institute Of 100. and at the end
of his. course, like his brothers. Phi Beta
Kappa.
Led In Social Life,
Atthe college he was one OF the most
universally liked Of the members Of his
class. Always ready for a joke, keen Of
wit and kindly of heart. he was ex-
pected to win high honors by all who
knew him. He was very handsome
young man. and easily led in social lie,
not only By virtue of his natural graca
Of manners. but by oenuineDess q
character which secured for him the
good VIII OF nearly all with whom he
came in contact
His brother William has been a judge
in New York. where he came after grad
uatfng, and is thought by some 10 be
fuHy. as learned in the law as his more
brilliant brother. He has now retired.
Ambassador Choate was appointed 20
his present position I've years ago. and
IS said TO have Ierr behind q law p-5a-
tice which brought him an income o.
100000 a year when he took mp the du-
ties of diplomatic life
Horace PorteTs Rise.
Horace Porter was a student al Har-
ward in the Lawrence Scientific School
in lg54-55. but instead OF finishing q faH
course there turned his attention 10 mil
itary affairs and graduated al west Point
in 1866. a year later he entered the army
as chief Of artillery His ability was
moi Of the common order. and he rose
rapidly 10 high command.
The siege of Pulaski brought him the
rank OF captain, the terrible days Ct
the battle Of the Wilderness left him q
majors commission, the close Of the &c
tion at New Market Heights found him
alive and recommended for promotion
70 the rank of lieutenant colonel. and the
close Of the war found him a brevct
brIgadier general
Assistant Secretary Of War.
Then for a time he was Assistant
Secretary Of War, later secretary TO
President Grant After 1874 he devoted
himself to business and became promi-
nent in the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie. and was oftca mentioned as an avail
able candidate for the Vice Presidency
and other nigh honors. In 1897 he was
made ambassador to France.