The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-06-13

Mr.. Gushing was largely influential
in shaping legislation and accomplish
ing political results in both legislatures,
and devoted his attention ZealouSly to
the duties he had assumed, greatly
neglecting his rapidly increasing bust
ness to do SO, and it was because of that
fact that he felt it impossible to accept
a denomination. He, however, never fail
ed in his active interest IN party affairs
to the last of his life, but always re-
fused party honors until after retiring
from active business. In 1858, when
Alfred w. johnson was the Demo-
cratic candidate for Congress, and came
within 81 votes of all election, the
Frankfort Republicans insisted that
Mr.. Gushing must give them the
strength of his name and influence,
and he accepted their call and was
elected representative after most ex-
citing and strenuous contest, for which
the old town of Frankfort was noted,
and his active interest in the cam
paign undoubtedly prevented the de-
feat of the Republican candidate for
Congress. Mr.. Gushing made himself
scholar by observation and constan t
application, ways increasing his
knowledge of books to the end of life
He possessed all the elements of states
manship and trend of thought that
would have made him great pulpit ex
FOUNDER of gospel truths. In religion
he was originally Unitarian, and Will
liam Ellery Claiming was the great
| apostle of his religious faith, for whom
he possessed an intense admiration,
holding Charming to be the greatest
intellectual light, in theological discus
M t,1rxr and rod
the aim of Mr.. Gushing to emulate him
in chaste and cultured expression of
religious thought. Without any special
change in his religious views, Mr..
Gushing united with the Frankfort
Congregational church, as there was no
Unitarian society there.
Mr.. Gushing never lost an opportun-
ity to sound his praises of the State of
Maine, nor tired of discussing its ad-
yantages, opportunities and resources
He came to Stockton shortly after the
close OF the war to address a Republi-
can mass meeting, when, much to the
disappointment of the active partisans
who were primed to applaud the then
popular denunciation of Copperheads,
he devoted the greater portion of his
speech to a glowing description of the
beautiful and practical in Maine and
an eloquent appeal to its young men to
stay at home and cultivate the farms
and faith of their fathers, growing
stronger every year in truth and man
hood because of the associations of
hills and pines" Mr.. Gushing had hop
ed, and believed, that peaceful solution
of the slavery question would be effect
ed, and deplored the necessity for the
call to arms in 1861, but gave his prom
ioin 70 bo
flee and from the beginning to the close
his purse was ever open and his voice
raised for vigorous prosecution to pre-
serve the union.
In 1871 Mr.. Gushing presented to the
town of Winterport a most expensive
granite monument in commemoratlon
of the soldiers of that town, both dead
and living, who participated in the war
of the rebellion. The beautiful granite
shaft stands in the cemetery above and
overlooking the village, with grand
panoramic view of mountain and river
having bronze tablets containing the
name of every man from that town who
had a place upon the U. S. muster rolls.
The dedication, an ideal August day, in
1871, was an occasionl long to be re-
membered by those whose who had the
good fortune to be present. Many
towns In the county were represented
by leading citizens, a large delegation
of ladies and gentlemen coming from
Bangor. A grand Grafton was pronouc-
ed by Col. Thomas w. Higginson of
Cambridge, Mass, the we'll known asso-
ciate of Garrison, Phillips, Dana, An
drews and others and famous literateur
who at this writing, is still vigorous
with his pen, though nearing ninety
nf Tho will
stand while time endures, tribute to
the patriotic generosity, and keeping
even greenn in memory that commun-
ity, the name of its donor.
1t was my privilege as youth of ten
years, when visiting relatives in Win
terport, to make the acquaintance of
Mr.. Gushing, as l at that immature age
was more interested in political affairs
than the ordinary boy. He discussed
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