The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-02-03
Fish.B0neS.

All our tariff systems have been mere log
rollings The understanding was, You tickl,
me and I'll tickle you. In Jackson's time anl
long after, the issue was the currency, AL
though have been in the administration fol
eight years, and something Of politician al
my life, L don't pretend to understand the
present tariff. 1t is abominable.
Caleb Gushing would have made capital
chef-iustice! There would not have been one
element of the partisan about him, and he
would have been pure judge. think that
the public underestimated him. 1t was said
that he had no convictions. l know that he
had convictions, and very strong ones. He be
lieved in government, as do.
1 suppose this administration may be COM
pared to Mouroe's His eight years were re-
garded as rather fiat, There was no point about
them. He did one significant thing however,
he put into our foreign policy the Monroe doc
trine.
You had good deal to do with the main
tenance of that?
Yes; but this administration has not main-
tanned it, They have allowed European gov
ernments to sell and buy islands in the West
Iodies. l don't think Mr.. Evarts should have
allowed that to be done without speaking out.
L wouldn't.
sometimes think when I see the way we
blunder toward luck, of an old saying that
Providence takes care of kings, fools and the
United States
Mr. Fish, you must have known President
Van Buren, well. What rank among adminis-
tratious ought his to take? 1t ought to stand
well. Mr.Van Buren, wa, an accomplished
man of state, Unfortunately he liked to man.
ipulate too much, and make public admiristra-
nj N fa oil Of ohaaa
FIsHs IDEA OF GRANT.
"What estimate of Grant is left on your
mind after that long experience of eight
years?"
"Graut," said the former Prime Minister, sis
underestimated in this country. Hs is not
only man of ability and firm ness in character
and of unwavering patriotism, but never knew
any man more generous in his judgments more
open to conviction, AID who loved so little his
own opinion when it was shown to conflict with
the public interests There were times that
you had to make him see that ne was wrong
and do 1t by argument. But have known
him to change his views on both personal and
political things when he had entertained
them with the greatest stubborness."
II desire to ssklycu, Mr.. Fish, if the current
criticism on Gen. Grants manners and gentlli-
ty is founded on anything real?"
The Foreign Secretary looked up as If glad to
answer II, and said:
''Grant was innately gentleman If you
were. to place him in a certain circle of society
people, such as exists in the exclusive parts Of
this city, 1t might be said there that he had
too little manner, and did not dance, nor fiatt.
nor play the elegant creature as we'll as he
might. That is the view some hold of gen.
tleman. But, when you come to the natural
graces of the heart-kindness and thoug ghtful-
LESS, an ingenious and open spirit, respect for
good women and truthful meu-there was
about him all of that which makes the man.
Many of his critics, more fastidious, might
have learned from MIN that impatation is no
part of gentleman. repeat that he is under
estimated. l have in my mind q range of
nearly half a century of public men whom
knew; he has as much of my respect as any of
them"
''I forgot to ask you, Mr.. Fish, what you
think of the next Presidential elecuOn?"
''You mean the Republican pomn alton? If
the Convention were held to-day, Gen. Grant
would be nominated. There are nearly two
years to come before the Convention, and many
changes may happen. can say to you,"
said the Secretary, that Gen. Grant does not
want to run again. He has no connection with
the movement among the people in his favor"
HENRY CLAY.
"Mr. Fish, which of the old Whig leaders of
Webster, Corwin, or who?"
'Oh, Clay
edo you think he holds the figure in fams
that his friends expected?"
''Clay," said Mr.. Fish, twas tyrant. That
describes Immigrant. While his aims were
lofty and patriotic, he allowed no contradic-
ton on matters of personal politics, and his
own ambition he regarded as part of all rea.
sonabls policy. But he was such q superb
leader! 1 recollect that in 1885 1 was the
Chairman of the Whig Committee to receive
Mr.. Clay. He held reception at the City
Hall, and it was my duty to stand opposits
him and introduce him to the throng of peo.
Pile. They poured through that hall for four OF
five hours, and he shook hands with them all
in his grand, sweet way. There was one old
fellow down in the Eleventh Ward who had q
great deal to say on all occasions. knew him
to be bitter anti-Clay man. He was one Of
these enthusiastic, demonstrative, Influential
fellows, dreadfally Ignorant, but believing in
himself; and he could bring an enormous mum.
ber of men up to the polls. I saw him coming
with the throng in the afternoon, and knew
it would fatter his vanity to be mentioned BY
name to Mr. Clay. Said I, "Mr. Clay, ls. me
introduce you to MIR. Hackett.' Clay spoke to
him with that beautiful, deep voice which was
so pleasing to hear, and, instead of gong on
like the rest he was bound to say something.
Mr.. Clay said he, 'arens you very tired
shaking hands with SO many people" % no,
sir, replied Clay, with his most benevolent
face. 'How can be tired when my fellow
citizens have been at such trouble to call upon
meY Besides, Mr.. Hackett, you must remem-
Der that 1 am from Sta;e where they don't
tire Those few words, spoken with such q
manner, had an extraordinary effect on thai
man. He bawled out That's so! Old Vir
ginia never tiresp And watched his course
and from that time forward he was mos
enthusiastic admirer of Henry Clay.
While 1 was Governor. in 1S49, Mr.. Clay
came on from the South, and wrote to me tina
he had promised to attend the State Fair al
Syracuse. He said he would go on to New
port, come from there to Albany and stay one
day with me, and We would go on together tc
the fair. He was obliged, however, to e
through Albany without stopping, aud sent mt
word to meet him at Udca. From that city
onward there was such an outpourtng oi
people at every station as we do not see any
more. When we got to the first station beyond
with carpet, and a tremendous crowd of people
Mr.. Clay said he would not 90 out. Iu a little
while the conductor came in and said to me
Governor, if Mr.. Clay does not make his ap
pearsnce the train can't go on; the people hsv,
covered the track with logs 1 said to Mr.
Sidy. IUu WILL CCAediuiy udNo W kU bub duN
show YOURSELF He was very hot, ard ex
claimed: It's id nonsense We got hin
up, however, and he went through that ca
| cursing. However, when he emerged from tn
back door aud stepped on that pls form, ant
looked down on the faces, you never saw sncl
| = Transformation. Raving been swearing tn
moment before, he now wore one Of the sweet
| est countsnancss l ever saw, and his voice wa
full of music and benevolence. L stepped up op
posite him to introduce him, and, before
| could think, Clay. having bowed and referred
| Co the Governor being present, slipped dowo
| went into the Car, and, sitting at one OF th
/ windows, called out: 'FIsh, you have got
l make the speech uow.' l told the people the
| didn't know what a sneak Mr. Clay WAS {
l drop awav and leave me standing out there
l and got off as we'll as could.
"When we got to some other point, Cla
| said: Fellow.citzens: You not only have tn
| Governor of the S ate to speak to YOU, but her
. Gen. Wool,on Of the heroes of Buena Vista
l He got Wool out there, who was in contro
v-rsy about Buena Vista, aud he made such
| ong and dry speech on tAe rival tactics OF tina
Oattle that we had TO pull him in.
BLAINE.
| The Ex-Governor, looking up at this point
said:
l 81 think that James G. Blaine has geo
deal of the style and magnetism Of Henry Clay