New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-01-25

is aims were lefty and well meant for his times In
our foreign policy he according TO my "hserVaon
the writer Of the very best dispatches ever nded 10y
an American Secretary There Is nerve, meaning ana
yigor in his compositions which always llteo up my
mind as citizen read him in his defence OF our In
terests and of liberty"
SIS true Mr. Fish, that under certain circumstances
Marcy might have been an Anti-siavery Democrat or
even Republican, think heard the successor OF
David wilmot say something like that
"That must he a mistake" said Mr. Fish. II don
think Marcy could have been Republican under
the circumstances but he was a patriotic man. and 10
such times as we have passed through would have heen
unfnchng for the Union and the results OF the war;.
.By the way do you know who wrote the Wilmot
Proyisoi' asked Mr.. Fish.
He answered himself in moment Sam Vintoh ;
that was the understanding at the time"
"You mean Mrs. Admiral Dahgren's father, the ONO
Congressman :"
"Yes: Sam yinton Tie was n Wing from Ohio. and
one OF the strongest minds and best public men from the
West The story was that VniOn. knowing that wing
could pass any such resolution, slipped IL 10 VII
mot who proposed It. Wilmot was Barnburner ut
the time IL is also said that Jacob Brinckerhof claims
to have written IT, and have somewhere here his claim
In print IL generally understood. however, thht
yinton got up the resolution and put it in at the proper
time"
HENRY CLAY.
"Mr Fish, which OF the old Wing leaders OF thirty
years ago was your fayorteCay, Webster, Corwin. or
wh0i"
"Oh, Clay"
ado you think he holds the figure in fame that his
friends expectedr
.'Cay.v said Mr.. Fish, twas iyrant. That describes
him-tyrant While his aims were lofty and patriotic,
he allowed contradiction matters OF personal pol
itics and ambition he regarded IA part OF all
reasonable policy. But he such superb leader !
recollect that in 1885 the chairman OF the Wing
committee to receive Mr. Clay. He held reception at
the City Hall, and 1t was my duty to stand
opposite him and introduce him to the throng OF
people They poured through that hall for four or
five hours and he shook hands with them all in bis
grand sweet way. There one old fellow down in
the Eleventh Ward who had great deal to say on all
occasions. him to be bitter anti-Clay man. He
was one these enthusiastic dem0nstrative Influential
feows dreadully ignorant, but believing i'll himself
and he could bring enormous number of men up to
the polls. saw him coming with the throng In the
afternoon and knew it would atter his vanity to he
mentioned by nam to Mr.. Clay Said |, Mr.. Clay, let
me introduce you to Mr. Hackett' Clay spoke TO him
with that beautiful deep voice which was so pleasing to
hear aud instead OF going like the rest the old fell
low was bound to say something. Mr. Claw he said,
aren't very tired of shaking hands with so many
peopeP On no SIR replied Clay. with his most be-
nevoent face. How can | be tired when my fellow
citizens have been at such trouble to call upon me
Besides, Mr.. Hackett, you must remember that am
from state where they don't tire Those few words.
spoken with such manner had an extraordinary effect
on that man. He bawlcd ont, That's 81 Old virginia
never tires = And | watched his course, and from that
forward he was Il most enthusiastic adnlier OF
Henry Clay"
While was Governor in $40. Mr. Clay came on from
the South and wrote To me that he had promised IN
attend the state Fair at Syracuse. He sad he would
30 on 10 Newport from there % Albany and stay
one ay with me, and we would on together to tue
fair lie was obliged. however, To go through Albany
without stopping, and sent word 70 meet him at
Utica. From thst city onward there such out
pouring OF people at every station ms we do not
see any more. When got to the first station
beyond Utica found platform erected and covered
with carpet. and tremendous ~Owd OF people. Mr.
Clay said ne would not 20 ont. In ltte While the
conductor in and said to me Governor. If Mr.
Clay does make his appearance the train can't 90
on: the people have covered the track with logs
said to Mr. Clay: 'YOu will certainly have TO go Ont
and show yourself He was very hot and exclaimed:
ITS id nonsensev We got him u, however, and
be went through that car cursing. However when
he emerged from the back door and stepped on
that platform and looked down on the faces,
you never such transformation. Having been
swearing the moment before, he now wore one of the
sweetest countenances ever saw and his voice full
OF music aud benevOence. stepped up opposite HIM 10
introduce HIM. and before could think. Clay, having
bowed and referred to the Governor being present,
slipped down, went into the car. and, sitting at one OF
the windows called ont: Fish, you have got To make
the speech now told the people they didn't know
what sneak Mr. Clay was 20 drop away and leave me
standing out there ; and got of ~ well % | could.
When got to some other point, Cay said: Eel
zens-You not only have The Governor OF the
State 10 sneak TO yon here is General Wool one Of
the heroes Buena VISTA He got Wool out there, who
was in a controversy about Bncna VISTA ard he made
such long and dry speech the rival tactics OF that
battle that had to pull HIM H."
BLAINE.
The cx Governor looking up at this point. said:
81 think that James q. Blaine has good deal OF the
Il Vie aud magnetism of Henry Clay. There is
u,a>n for him in almost every section and neighbor
hood taa cannot be repressed. He IL quick. decisive
and sharp in parli menary work like CLAW. His adj
dress and Sun lie and graclousncs, good deal on
Clays plan"
.Whe you were Secretary did you have to sit up TIL
aftci midnight writing d'patchcsl"
.'Many time" SAID the Secretary. "wheu the day.
and the night too had closed out all visitors and inter
ruptn1ls. had TO begin to do careful work"
This remark arose "A mention of the fact that
Carl schurz working too hard and too late at night
The Secretary said:
How i. sclurz getting on he is QUE of the most
interesting men ever talked with"
FISH'S IDEA OF GRANT.
What estimate Of Grant is left on your mind after
that long c experience Of eight ycarsT'
Grant" said his former Prime Minister. is under
estimated in this country. He not only u man of
ability and Hrmncss in character. and OF unwavering
patriotism, but never knew more generous in
his judgments. open 10 conviction, and who loved
50 liiile his own opinion when 1t shown 10 conflict
with the public There times that you
had 10 make him thai he wrong. and do il by
argument. But have known him TO change his views,
On both perso political things, when he had
tnodt I,..n q gre etubbprDueSsv
''Wcre your relations with the President always mild
and even Z"
There were things which the President
differently from my view. Our Intercourse, however,
WAS never ruin 81 by Ill temper. ioand before went
into his Ca 1net that he who meant TO serve