This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2025
[ANTEBELLUM AMERICAN POLITICS]. CUSHING, Caleb (1800-1879) Manuscript for Closing Speech for the 1860 Democratic National Convention at Charleston, Calling for the Preservation of the Union. [Ca. May 3, 1860]. 4 pages, on verso of pp. 3 and 4 is written in pencil “Speech of Caleb Cushing as Pres. Of the Dem. Nat. Convention at Charleston, S. C. in 1860" on blue ruled paper. Cushing's text in black ink with his marginal notes in ink and pencil, including “Send Mercury" in pencil at the top of p. 1 (meaning that a copy of this speech must be sent to the Charleston Mercury newspaper). Each page approximately 9 ¾ x 7 ¾". All pages with horizontal creases, some marginal occasional chipping, some thumbsoiling. Very good. And: “Baltimore National Democratic Convention Delegate's Complimentary Ticket" signed by Cushing at bottom. On printed yellow paper or cardstock. Approximately 2 ¼ x 3 ¾". Marginal faint chipping, ticket soiled, creased. Good. Manuscript leaves, ticket, a photo of Cushing (a CDV?), 2 modern descriptive sheets, and photocopy of printed “Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention…" all mounted together on mat under plexiglass and frame. Frame size approximately 43 x 21 ¼". A wonderful item, handsomely displayed. Not examined out of frame. Cushing was a lawyer, Cabinet member (he was Attorney General under Franklin Pierce), and diplomat around the time of the Civil War. Cushing was the chairman of the Democratic National Convention, thus having the closing remarks. This convention took place in the South less than a year before the outbreak of the Civil War. This draft was written hastily by Cushing near the end of the Convention and has numerous corrections. This manuscript is slightly different from the version delivered, as per the printed record. An interesting manuscript by Cushing, who apparently feared the path of dissolution of the Union, and reflected this worry in his speech. “Finally, permit me to remind you, gentlemen, that not merely the fortunes of the great constitutional party which you represent, but the fortunes of the Constitution also, are at stake on the acts of this convention. During the period now of eighty-four years, we, the States of this Union, have been associated together in one form or another for objects of domestic order and foreign security. We have traversed side by side the war of the Revolution, and other and later wars; through peace & war, through sunshine and storms, we have kept our way manfully on, until we have come to be the great Republic. Shall we cease to be such? I will not believe it; I will not believe that the noble work of our Fathers is to be shattered into fragments; this great republic to be but a name in history of a mighty people once existing, but existing no longer save as a shadowy memory, or as a monumental ruin by the side of the pathway of time."