The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-07-03
THE OPENING OF
 CHINA TO THE WORLD

On July 3rd., 1S44, Gen. Caleb Cushing, U. s. A., forced the breach in the Chinese wall of exclusion through which all civilized nations have since passed. That Commodore Perry opened the doors of Japan is matter of common knowledge but that Caleb Cushing of Massa chusetts surmounted the barriers so long maintained by China is a fact which has remained in obscurity.
 In describing Gen. Cushing, James G.. Blaine said, Oriental diplomats never met a man better equipped to meet them with their own weapons And Cushing's feat was accomplished l eleven years before the convention with Japan was signed. l Caleb Cushing was one of the most remarkable men this country ever produced. AS scholar, lawyer, 1 author, statesman, diplomat and judge he showed ability of a high 1 and rare order. He was a general in 1 the Mexican War. He gave the lie I to the old proverb. Jack of all l trades and master of none"
 | The future diplomat was born at
 Salisbury, Mass, Jan. IT, 1900. He
 was educated at Harvard University
 and all his life cherished high ambi- i tions which somehow were never fully realized. When he was a very young man he was elected to the
 State Legislature. There he became
 noted for his amazing store of knowl-
 edge on all subjects. His maiden
 speech in 1886 in reply to ''the terror
 of the House. Ben Hardin of Ken
 lucky, was a pointer to his subse-
 quent distinction as an orator and l statesman. Hardin took exception to
 some utterance made by the young 7 man and proceeded to tear him to pieces in his usual violent manner Gushing then got up and overwhelm- ed the older man by sarcasm, invec- tive and a wonderful display of c1as-
 sical knowledge.
 The rise of Gushing in politics was
 rapid and remarkable. After hold ing a number of public offices Cush- ing was nominated as Secretary o1 ], the Treasury during President Ty- [ lers administra ton. He was rejected , by the Senate however and Tyler 1 then named him as Commissioner l and Minister P1enipotentiary to China In 1S43 he sailed from this country
 on the steam frigate Missouri. With him he carried conciliatory letter 5 from President Tyler to the Emperor } of China. This letter suggested that ! a treaty be made between the two na- tions under which affairs of trade . should be regulated and the lives o1
 
 harm.
 At Gibra1ter the Missouri caught
 fire and burned to the waters edge 5 Gushing proceeded on his journey by
 way of Egypt and India and finally reached Canton on the Brandywlne on February 24, 1S44. During Lil= 5 voyage Minister Cushing had outlined l a treaty designed to open Cnarese 3 ports to American trade. Reaching , Pekin he commenced negotiations with the Emperor of China. After 8 5 passage of diplomatic arms with the 5 oriental statesmen the convention was 3 finally signed on July 3rd. Thus = were the present warm relations be- l tween China and the United States = inagurated by Gen. Caleb Cushing 3 scholar and diplomat. And though ] his services to his country in other r directions deserve great praise, his
 successful mission to the Empire o1 Q mystery should insure for him a higt a place in history.