Caleb Cushing
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duty by entering the field again at the com mand of the Commonwealth or of the Union.
with wonderful skill. Thus did he illustrate in every position he filled the sure test of greatness.
On April 25, 1861, Cushing wrote to Governor Andrew: —
Cushing's intimate relations with both Democratic and Republican administra tions made him the subject of charges of political insincerity to which Cushing made this reply : —
I beg leave to tender myself to you in any capacity, however humble, in which it may be possible for me to contribute to the public weal in the present critical emergency. I have no desire to survive the overthrow of the United States. I am ready for any sacrifice to avert such a catastrophe, and I ask only to be per mitted to lay down my life in the service of the commonwealth or of the United States.
It is said, also, that other hypocritical persons impute to me tolerance for men of different shades of opinion regarding the political theories of the moment. Be it so. On the high road of pub lic life are strewn broadcast the fragments of party doctrines, shattered by overstrain, like the dead mules and broken down wagons of advancing and retreating armies. Theories of mathematical precision are good in books of geometry, but not in the conduct of great affairs. Men of action are the masters, not the slaves, of doctrine. What the world needs, demands and will have is more practical states manship, and less exclusiveness of doctrine.
Governor Andrew declined the offer, stating that there was "no place in camp or council" for Caleb Cushing. It seems almost incredible that Gov ernor Andrew should have made this reply, which is admitted to be unjust by Mr. Pearson, in his life of Andrew. The truth seems to be that Cushing Cushing's natural resentment was re placed country above party. lieved by the treatment received by him After the Senate had refused to con from President Lincoln and his Cabinet. firm the nomination of George H. Wil He whom Governor Andrew had de liams as Chief Justice of the Supreme clared to be unfit for a place in camp or Court of the United States, because of council in Massachusetts was summoned his alleged incompetency, Cushing, then to the capital of the nation, to deal with in his seventy-fourth year, was named by the larger problems of state and to act President Grant for that high office. as the confidential adviser of Lincoln Opposition arose to his confirmation, and Seward, who constantly consulted based principally upon political con him upon delicate and difficult questions siderations and coming largely from the of international law. Lincoln appointed abolition element of the Republican him brigadier-general, but the appoint party. General Butler thus states the ment was not confirmed, owing, it is grounds urged against his confirmation :— said, to the opposition of friends of Opposition arose to the nomination in the Governor Andrew, who declared that Senate, led by a senator from the Pacific slope, Cushing's confirmation would be a reflec who had formerly as a boy been a printer in a tion on the Governor. newspaper office in Newburyport, and held Senator Henry L. Dawes thus speaks some grievance. The sole ground of opposition of Cushing's services during the war: — was the fact that Mr. Cushing early in the He was the confidential adviser to the different administrations, and in the most critical times through which the Government was passing, his services were invaluable; their history is yet to be written. Like Baron Stockmar, aiding the different ministries to the young Queen of Great Britain, he guided men in authority through crises and out of embarrassing complications
Spring of 1861, had written a harmless letter of introduction of a former clerk in his office, who belonged in the South and was going back there, to the President of the Confederate States. This letter if it had been published when it was written, would never have caused a passing thought; but Mr. Cushing, sensitive to any ground for opposition, wrote to the Presi dent to withdraw his name, which was done.
