New-York tribune., 1869-03-13
H1uJLTON FISH.


The World is so uniformly extreme in its
denuncations and defamations OF every Re
publican statesman that we read with equal
surprise and pleasure its testimony to the fit
ness and personal worth of our new Secretary
of State. We do not believe that he ever voteu
for a Democratic candidate for any decidedly
political office, but that he is " moderate
Republican is true, as he is not accustomed
to take acrid and impassiOned views oil any
question. But let us hear The World:
ain one Of the new selections the reconstructed CaD
net is a great and manifest Improvement. HAMILTON
FISH, the Secretary OF State may not be very great OF
very brilliant statesman; but he is beyond all contro
yersy one OF the most estimabe, most Judcous most
upright and most respected citizens OF TINS state Ut Vi
| this country. A gentleman who has enjoyed the au
yanages OF hereditary wealth; OF superior cuure III
the ful yiRor OF rpo faculties; of varied official
experience; great social considerations; an example
Of all private vlrtues-he has long possessed, what
IA better than the fame OF great statesman in Ire so
unblemished a department quiet and unostentatous'
| a weight and credit in the management OF educauoha'
religious ana charitable institutions which so com
mend him general esteem as TO place him by universal
consent in the very first rank OF good citizens, Christian
gentlemen and exempars OF the kindly domestic virtues
Returning 10 public life with a character which dsarns
criticism and cxors the respectful homage OF those VINO
differ from him In politics aud with an e1haustess iuhd
Of good will to draw upon he Is secure OF more lnuu
gence than ho is likely TO need in position "eh
he has not sought and for which he possesses some quar-
ncatiOns OF a very high order.
"First in tho list OF these, unhestangy place the
moral elevation which lifts him above the danger OF that
mental distortion which would seek submit to, any
thing but Justice In transactions with foreign nations
There will be over.reacling diplomacy OF crOokeu
politics I'm Mr. Fishs management OF our foreign andirs
and the spirit OF candOr and justice which ne VIII OlhH
into all his duties will probably save him from emparasS
ing enangemonts requiring any cunning ana dexterlV
TO unite lie has displayed any surprising fetches
OF ingenuity because OF his character never has
any occasion for them; nor Will the nation have any
| occasion for them, II he is permitted to nave MS
own way In the management OF our foreign ihter'
course. Next in the list OF Mr. Fish's qualifications
we should place a singular soundness and recttude OF
Judgment and longcstabshed habits OF caution and cir
cumspection Probably there could not be safer adj
wiser except IN emergencies requiring great bodnes';
kind OF emergencies not likely TO arise In time OF peace
Mr.. Fish is perfectly familiar with tho cotemporary
history and the merits pro and con. or the cet paDuo
questions both Of our and OF the chief foreign coun
tries and among the minor but necessary qualhcaons
for his once, he has fluent command Of the French
and one or two other Continental tongues For the social
duties Of position in which social Influence counts for
50 much. no man Is better qualified than Mr.. Fish.
ave regret that what have further to say OF the
new Secretary OF cannot be in the strain Of
unmneel commentator. In national politics. Mr. Fish
IS Republican, though Republican OF that moderate
class who march In the instead OF advancing with
the front. lie Is by conviction Federalist believer
In strong central government; but his Federalism is
somewhat tempered by the pride which he has always
felt IN the State OF NewYork. In former times ne was
Whig and among the last TO give up tho Whig party
and though he quite sympathzed with the Re
publican party he has pretty uniformly supported It's
leading measures, although, when he first acted with IT,
opposition the extension Of Slavery his only point
agreement We fear he has had much liking for
the Democratic party; but in State and CITY affairs he
has somemes Of late years voted for Democratic can
didates who commanded his confidence. Since We must
have o Republican at the head Of the Cabinet, we can
think OF competent for the place whose polles
are less Objectionable than those of Mr. Fish"