The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-02-28

BILE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CENcEs O
PUBLIC MEN.
/ Ex-senator, Governor and Secretary Fis
has been talking with newspaper man
the men and events of his time and memo
ry, and the report, an entertaining one
fills four columns of the N. 7. Tribune.
| Among things of the earlier times an il
cident connecting Henry Clay with Centra
New York is recalled. Mr.. Fish was
"Clay man. and during his Governorshi
in 1s4s, he says Mr.. Clay came on from th
South and wrote to me that he had prom
ised to attend the State Fair at Syracuse
He said he would go on to Newport, com
from there to Albany and stay one day witt
me, and we would 60 on together to th
fair. He was obliged, however, to g
through Albany without stopping, and sen
me word to meet him at Utica. From tha
city onward there was such an outpourine
of people at every station as we do not ses
any more. When we got off the first sta
ton beyond Utica, we found a platform
erected and covered with carpet, and tire
mendous crowd of people. Mr.. Clay sale
be would not 90 out. In a little while the
conductor came in and said to me: "GoV
ernor, il Mr.. Clay does not make his ap
pearance the train can't 60 on; the people
have covered the track with logs" said
to Mr.. Clay: You certainly will have te
20 out and show yourself" He was very
hot, and exclaimed, "It's id nonsense n
We got him up, however, and he went
throught that car curslng. However, when
he emerged from the back door and step,
ped on that platform and looked down on
the faces, you never saw such transforma-
ton. Having been swearing the moment
before, he now wore one of the sweetest
countenances ever saw. and his voice was
full of music and benevolence. I stepped
up opposite him to introduce him, and be-
fore could think, Clay, having bowed and
referred to the Governor being presen.,
slipped down, went into the car, and, sit
ting al one of the windows, called out :
"Fish, You have got to make the speech
now" 1 told the people they didn't know
what sneak Mr.. Clay was to drop away
and leave me standing out there !; and got
off as we'll as could. ...
When we got to some other point, Clay
said "Fellow- -citizens-You not only have
the Governor of this State to speak to you,
but here is General Wool, one of the heroes
of Buena VISTA" He got Wool out there,
who was in controversy about Buena Wis.,
ia, and he made such long, dry speech on
the rival tactics of that battle that We had
to pull him in. ......,...
Mr.. Fish speaks in cordial tones Of Gen
eral Grant, maintains he means to be a just
man, has positive views, but is always open
to conviction. When called to bis Cabinet
Mr.. Fish was taken by surprise, and posi-
lively declined the State portfolio. He tel
egraphed and wrote to that effect. Yet his
name was sent in. Grant teIegraphed him to
ray nothing Of declining till be received
ettar then 4orf fha azav tn44 New York by
The letter, borne by Babcoek,
lid not convince him, but private reasons,
by the messenger and not
given by Mr.. Fish, decided the matter,
He thought it his duty to accept, and his
wife, who had been with HIM in declining,
oined in saying he should accept. He went
nto the Cabinet not intending TO stay lon
ger than August, but SO many changes oc-
,urred he felt it his duty to stick. His re-
atoms with the President were always
Kindly. He says Grant writes to him in
xind terms of President Hayes. Thinks ii
he conventions were to be held now Grant
would be nominated, but it is uncertain
What a year and half may bring forth.
6 Grant," he said, sis under estimated in
his country. He is not only man of abil-
ty and firmness in character, and of un-
vavering patriotism, but never knew any
nan more generous in his judgments, more
pen to conviction. and who loved SO little
lis own opinion when it was shown to con-
lict with the public interests. There were
lines that you had to make him see that he
vas wrong, and do it by argument. But
ave known him to change his views, ON
10Th personal and political things, when he
lad entertained them with the greatest
tubbornness.
He says of Blaine: IT think that James
!. Blaine has good deal of the style and
of Henry Clay. There is an
for him in almost every section
nd neighborhood that cannot be repressed. |
Ie is quick, decisive and sharp in his par
work, like Clay. His address |
nd smile and graciousness are good deal |
n Clay's plan" Of Carl Schurz-" He is
ne OF the most interesting men l ever
alked WITH OF the late Judge Nelson
The best nisi prius judge, I think, We
yer had in this country" He hold VIM. |
=. Marcy to have been the "strongest |
IAN" New York has produced, and Silas
Wright next. Mr.. Fish found the late Ca
sb Cushing 'ta useful auxiliary. His in
ormation was extensive, his experience |
reat, and he was cheerful worker for the |
ioyernment. He would have made CAPT
al Chief Justice. There would not have
cen one element Of the partisan about him, |
nd he would have made pure judge. II
hink that the public underestimated him. |
was said that he had no convictions. |
now that he had convictions, and very
trong ones. He believed in Government,
. / do" Of Van Buren," He was an ac-
omplished man of State. fortunately, |
@ liked to manipulate too much, and make |
ublic administration and public life per-
etual game of chess. His views were
ound on business questions, and he was
lways courteous, though embattled. Van
,nren was MIR. Tilden's patron. They
we'd near each other up about Kinder
ook."
Reverting to Grant at the close of his OBJ
ervations the ex-secretary said !: "Grant !
ras innately gentleman. II you were TO
lace him in CERTAIN circle Of society poo
he, such as exists in some of the exclusive
ARTS OF this city, it might be said there
hat he had too little manners and did not