National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-11
r. J. MURTAGH.-.....-.EdltOr and Proprietor.
sEnRRTARY FISH.

There are few citizens of the United States
vbo have reached the prominence now &C.
corded to the Hon. Hamilton Fish, with
out reproaoh arising from political
maneuvres. He has proved himself to be
eminently a statesman-not politician.
As Governor of the foremost Common
wealth in the Union, as Senator from the
same State and as Secretary Of State Of the
United States he has asserted singular
pre-eminence in the way Of realizing graft
fying success without descending to the
tricks of an ordinary political schemer.
His whole life has been record OF unTary-
ing triumphs over the ordinary belief that
American statesmen depend solely upon
chicanery for their personal advancement
He has, in fact, proved himself to be
representative of the purest type of our
Republican leaders. Always preserving
true conservatism in his public and So
cisl relations, he has never failed to receive
the earnest and well-deserved respect Of
those who have enjoyed personal contact
with him either in his official or private
capacity. His experience as an observant
traveller in other countries enabled him to
shed greater lustre upon the lsurels earned
while acting as the Chief Magistrate of the
Empire State. His great abilities as a
diplonatist were not at first conceded upon
his acceptance of the portfolio of the De-
partment of State, and many of the sup
porters of the Administration, including
some of his personal friends, predicted his
failure; but his eminent success has agree
ably disappointed them and justified the
wisdom Of President Grant in ten
dering him the place. Since then
his acts have become part of the history
of the country at large. The most danger
Gus snd important diplomacy has been con-
Quoted under his immediate supervision
The Washington Treaty, resulting in the
peaceful arbitration of the Geneva Award;
the complications with Spain. arising from
individual interests, as in the case of Speak
man and of Dr.. Houard. and the more sig
nifcsnt affair Of the Virginius; the settle
ment of the San Juan boundary; the en-.
couragemeut Of American influence In
Japan and other Eastern countries; the as
sertion Of American dignity as regards our
approaching Centennial celebration; and
last, but not least the completion or begin
ming of commercial and so-called natuIali-
zation tresties, go to make up, in brief
sketch of the toilsome duties Of his more
recent services in behalf of the Republic.
1t has been his fortunate lot to have been
called upon in the emergencies Occasioned
by the affairs of the Government during
Su0so SEOaE VIC
tories of craftsmanship, and it has been the
GOOD fortune of the country that the Presi-
do-t LIsde such q timely selection in his
choice of the first officer of his Cabinet.
If, then, Gov. Fish should retire from the
Cabinet by resigning his portfolio, to take
effect at the end of the present fiscal year,
the act would be accepted as cause of great
regret While, therefore, no authoritative
can be msde that such step
Is contemplated, it is not improper that the
rumor of it should be made use of to yield
TO him the proud credit of extraordinary
merit to which he is so assursdly entitled.