ely had more forcible
illustration than in the case of the late Caleb Cushing of
Massachusetts. In politics he was successively Whig, Democrat,
and Republican. During his first political affiliation, he was
a Representative in Congress; in the second a member of Pierce's
Cabinet; and in the third a Minister abroad. He was an eminent
lawyer, and for a term ably discharged the duties of Attorney-General
of the United States. His one ambition was a seat upon the Supreme
Bench.

This was at length gratified by his appointment as Chief Justice
of the Great Court. Unfortunately he had, years before, given
mortal offence to Aaron A. Sargent, then recently admitted to
the bar. The latter soon after moved to California, and became in
time a Senator from that State.

When the appointment of Cushing came before the Senate for
confirmation, his _one enemy_ was there. The appointee had long
since forgotten the young lawyer he had once treated so rudely,
but he had not been forgotten. The hour of revenge had now come.
After a protracted and bitter struggle, Sargent, of the same
political affiliation as Cushing, succeeded in defeating the
confirmation by a single vote. The political sensation of the hour
was the Senator's prompt message to his defeated enemy:

"Time at last sets all things even;
And if we do but watch the hour,
There never yet was human power
Which could evade, if unforgiven,
The patient search and vigil long,
Of him who treasures up a wrong."

XXXIX
CONTRASTS OF TIMES

TRAVELLING IN 1845 COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE PRESENT DAY.

While I was Assistant Postmaster-General, Senator Whittihorne,
of Tennessee, called at the Department to see me on official
business. Seated at a window overlooking the Capitol, he remarked
that the chords of memory were touched as he entered the room; that
when barely of age, he occupied for a time a desk as a clerk just
where he was seated.

He then told me that at the time of the Presidential election in
1844 he was a law student in the office of Mr. Polk, and by his
invitation came on with him to Washington. The journey of the
President-elect, from Nashville to Washington, was in February,
1845, just prior to his inauguration. He was accompanied by the
members of his immediate family, his law student Mr. Whittihorne, and
the Hon. Cave Johnson, who was soon to hold a position in his
Cabinet. The journey to Washington, as Senator Whittihorne told
me