As Attorney-General he did not add materially
to his reputation, but his opinions are distinguished for research and
for learning. The nomination of Pierce was promoted by the officers
who had served in Mexico. Previous to the Democratic Convention of
1852, Gideon J. Pillow came to Boston, and he and General Cushing
visited Pierce in New Hampshire. They also called upon me and laid
open a scheme in which they invited me to take a part. It was in fact
a project for an organization inside the Democratic Party, by which the
action of the party should be controlled. First, a central
organization composed of a few men self-constituted; next a small
number of assistants in each State who were to organize through
confidential agents in the counties, cities and large towns. All these
agencies through newspapers and by other expedient means would be able,
it was thought, to control the party nominations, and the party policy.
I had then declined a renomination to the office of Governor, and I was
able to say with truth, that I intended to retire from active
participation in politics. I declined to consider the subject further.
Whether or not the scheme was matured, I have no knowledge.
That campaign and his transfer to Pierce's Cabinet led Cushing to adopt
the views of southern men upon the slavery question, and his unwise
speeches and letters interrupted his success, finally, and at a moment
when success was most important to him.
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