Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-04-26
SUMNER AND FISH.
The Arraignment from the Grave Al
sWered by an Old SOutherh
Stnteswan and Friend OF
the Secretary.
Review OF the Life of Governor Fish-
His Past Life his Best Defense
AgalnstoAll Assailants,
ETC., Etc.

- ETC., Etc.
a EDITORS APPEAL notice that Sens
Rtor Sumner left Behind him speech i
manuscript, 20 be delivered, but whicl
never was delivered, owing TO the inter
le vention OF his death. This speech ha
Al been published since his death and con
- tains q most intemperate and futhles
! diatribe against Hon. Hamilton Fish
ie secretary Of state. l have not seen tn
a speech in full-only extracts from it
"A and these extracts plainly show that tn
author was moved to bis work by q per
e sOnal malignity and bitterness that de
: prive his statements Of ell claim 10 fair
> ness and impartiality. Neither Gov
: ernor Fish nor bis friends need Civ,
themselves any disturbance on aceOun
, I OF this post DlOTte0l assault. Those VIII,
b impudenuy had this speech pHbishes
: will ind that whilst they have struck T,
[ blow at the memory and reputation o
their departed friend, they have failes
TO lnjure, or even disturb the composer,
OF, him whom il must have beer
! their object to annoy. This worse thar
, "Parthian arrow'-wOrse, becauss Fs
who hurled it is forever beyond the reach
OF responsibility in this world-hss en-.
tirely failed of the mark at which il wa,
aimed. This unprovoked attack unor
Governor Fish has struck the countrI
with surprise, and as far as I am able r.
Judge, with indignation. OTinV to III,
well-knOwn character for moderation
dignity and freedom from all persona
or political bitterness, he is one Of tbs
last men who was supposed TO be likely
TO encounter such furious assault from
behind the masked battery of the grave
The writer Of this has known
GOVERNOR FISH
and observed his public life FOR many
long years. He feels fmpelled, from q
sheer sense OF Justice, to vindicate an
injured man and faithful public servant
nom obloquy and wrong, here, where
be is personally but little known. Gov.
ernOr Fish and his friends can refer tc
the record of his past life as the most
conclusive reply to those who attenUt
TO detrRct from his fair name and repl-
tSoon, by vague generalities and covert
inslnuatiOns. With Governor Fisl the
past is secure. His acts and doipgs, his
distinguished services belong 60 the
records Of the times. They VIII 20 Gown
70 posterity, in history, free from the
indictments ard prejudices Of the dsv;
and no mslignity on the part Of bis as
sailaDts can deter or coax the muse OF
history from doing him justice Gov
ernor Fish's position is a peculiar one.
Although not an old man, still he is one
OF the few remaining, connecting the
present with that past in our political
history, when such galaxy of intellect
rWra nFl NNun,, y. =
congress. He has filed q most proni-
nent and distinguished role in his time.
and close inspection Of his career will
/ show that his character has been that of
Z the statesman, as contTa-distinguished
I from the politician. When quite a
! young man, Governor Fish was sent bv
THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK CITY,
TO represent them and watch over
their mighty interest in the house of
representatives of the congress or the
United states. His contemporaries OF
that day can bear record a. 10 how he
performed his duty. He was remarkable
Tor his sound, practical, business eharsc-
ter. He spoke not often, and his speech
es We're never long and tiresOme, But
when he did speak, he commanded the
attention and respect OF the house. On
the subjects Of trade, commerce, finance.
ana kindred measures, be was particu-
larry well informed; and his quiet, calm.
ana dispaSsionate manner always had
lts influence. Those who know Cover
nor Fish, know that he never had any
iond and anxious desire for political life.
he Is man OF the strongest domestic
Observation-Disclosures 10 his home and
ms family, and happiest when surround
e1 by the endeaTments of private life.
De Quit public life in the house Of rep
resentatives, with no desire fOr a
return TO its eXcitements aud an
noyances. But he had won for himself
reputation for inte Srity, ability, and
practical usefulness, with the people Of
the entire State. Without solicitation
on his part-in fact, contrary to his per-
sonal inclinations-he was nominated
for governor of New York, and was
elected. 1t is proverbial how difficult a
thing It is for any one to pass through
the ordeal Of the gOvernorship Of
NEW YORK,
and come out untarnished in reputation
and unshorn Of popularity. So cOmpli-
Gated is their system Of national and
State politics, with 80 many clashing
local interests and influence to harmon
ize, that but few ever have been found
equal TO the task. Governor Fish passed
through the ordeal safely, and with in
creased popularity. Never, until the
appearance of Mr.. Summers post nlOrte71
speech, did ever hear Of any charge, I
or insinuatiOn even, against Governor /
Fish's integrity and purity Of character [
in the administration Of his Office IS
governor of New York. Never, IN the 4
history Of the State, was there more Z
prosperity, quiet and happiness than \
during his administration. 1t was, in /
fact, an "era OF good feeling Although .
firm and decided in his political views,
Governor Fish has, in every election, 1
been free from party asperity aud VIC
lence. be has always commanded The
respect and kind regards Of bis political
opponents, on account of his uniform
moderation OF tone and civility and
suavity Of manner. Search his speeches, I
his reports, his messages when governor,
and nothing can be seen to denote the
bitter partisan or the illberal politician.
After retiring from the
EXECUTIVE CHAIR
Of the State Of New York, Governor
Fish considered his political life forever
ended. He had enjoyed the highest !
hOnors, UnsOught, yet undertaken at the ,
call Of duty. But still higher honoFs {
were thrust upon HIM. He was, with I
out effort on his part, elected to the
senate of the United States. His course,
his reputation, his influence in that {
august body were Of the same tenor they I
had been when he was a member Of the I
house of Representatives. No senator :
the respect and kindly !
of the senate more than Z
he did. He was q useful, rather than a
brilliant, member Of the body. On all /
subjects connected with trade aud COM
merce, and on shipping interests, no ,
member Of the senate bad more influ-
ence OF was more respectfully listened I
10. In debate, he never forgot his own
or lost his temper. He was
never known to indulge in the wrsngles ,
and recriminations Of II
PARTY STRIFE. II
He left the senate with the regrets Of
all its members. Governor Fish left the
the United States with the fixed
purpose and determination to devote the
balance Of his life to the duties and en-
joyments of private life. But General
Grant had the sagacity to discover Gov
ernor Fish's aptitude for the first place
In his cabinet, and called on him to un-
dertake its duties. No one was worse
surprised at this than Governor Fish,
himself He did not then regard him
self as in the political arena at all He
considered himself as without the pale
Of political aspirants. He wanted no
more OF public station or public hOnOTs,
But yet, under the convictions Of duty,
be agreed to undertake this trying posi-
tion, at that trying time; for a try ing
time It was. Reconstruction was still
country was still in
the future was full Of
difficulty and uncertainty. Governor
Fish's administration Of the State de-
oartment has been a decided success.
I,et any one take calm and impartial
view Of it, and say; where can fault be
'ound. By general Rcquiescence OF all
men, of all shades of opinion, his
ADMINISTRATION
aas been as near faultless as consists
With the fallibility OF human nature.
Dur foreign relations have been conduct
ID in 8 way to secure peace and hsr- /
nony with the world, ana to maintain
he respect of all nations. No matter |
what may be charged against Others, it
las not been and cannot be charged