The New York herald., 1869-03-29
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

WASHINGTON, March ~, 1859.
The Department OF state OF to-day not the state
Department OF q month ago. The deformed has
been transformed. The changes that have occurred
In this venerable, gray dusty and digni6ed old de-
partment have been rapid and radical. The oppres-
sive air Of diplomatic haue'o, mixed with sort Of
owlish wisdom that always impressed one on
entering the State Department seemed to have
become an inseparable adjunct Of the instl-
tuition under the management Of Mr.. Seward.
The oflcers clerks and messengers looked
solemn and moved about with noiseless tread. The
books and documents scattered about appeared to
some Of the furniture looked IL it might have ac-
companied Noah In his forty days voyage.
grim silence usually regned throughout the
rooms and halls Of the building, which was only in
terrupted by the stamping OF official documents or
oaby fair estimate to say that. under the seward
regime not one person IN ten who had business at
the State Department felt at all comfortable while
In the building, or went away from IL bet
ter satisfied or much wiser than when he en-
tered it. All the employees and subordinates
conversation in exact accordance with their great
chief as possible; and II one should ask any ques
o pear Al east two the only decisive
character Of which would be that whichever should
be taken i would be M thoroughly % arn non.committal
genius, Mr.. Fish, has brushed away the cobwebs oi
the accumulation OF diplomatic dust that seemed
hitherto to be sacred to the brush OF the jantor has
disappeared and the hidden polish has been
brought to light. A host Of frigid formali-
ties that heretofore made 1t almost as diff
cult to get access to the heads OF
the department 1t Is to get an audience with roy
atty itself in European court havo been ruthessly
sacrificed, and now everybody, from the highest
ofilcal tn the humbest citizen, II time PERMITS can
have an audience with the courteous Secretary.
Mr.. Fish has demonstrated fr0m the FIRST day he
performed the duties Of Secretary OF State that he
eminently well qualified for his high and responsible
position. He has quite as large throng OF visitors
to dispose OF every day as the head Of any OF the
other departments. Members OF Congress call to
urge the claims OF constituents for missions abroad;
others come to consult on some question pertaining
to the department which is about to come up IN
legislation; gentlemen call to present their app
cations for office; consuls are there to secure therrc
tentiOn in olce, foreign ministers seek interviews
reference to affairs pending between their govern
ments and the United States, and o host OF other
people want to see the Secretary on thousand DIFF
ferent subjects. All OF these appear to obtain inter-
views and go away encouraged. Secretary Fish
transacts the business brought before him with great
despatch. lie quickly comprehends the object
sought, though 1t may be imperfecty stated, and In
the most agreeable manner disposes Of the question
In few words. Thus an astonishing amount OF
business Is accomplished In q short space OF time.
OF course the subordinate officials Of the depart
ment initiate the virtues OF their Chief and the re-
suit Is that In future we may expect fewer CON-
plants about the State Department. Much more
business Will be done and In decidedly better
manner than heretofore