Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-10-10
THE PuBLlC'S MEMORY.
It Is the Most Fiokle Thing OF
Which We Know.
Btatesmon Who. Few Years Ago, Con-
trolled the Destinies of the Nation,
Are Now Not Even Remem-
bered by Name.
Especial Washington letter.


"The people forget very quickly"
said Senator Hill one evening when he
was being complimented for his de-
tense of his party. "They are quickly
appreciative and ready to applaud
when they think it is right; but they |
very soon forget public services"
That is very true, and several gentle
men who heard the remark of Senator
Hill were discussing it this evening.
We reverted to the public men who had
passed away and been forgotten in Il
generation. The question was asked:
'Who were the members of the cabinet
of Abraham Lincoln?" Not a man in
the gathering could name all of them.
William H. Seward, secretary OF
state, had so much to do with our for
eign relations during the civil war that
his name was readily recalled, Edwin
NJ. Stanton, secretary of war, had his
name in the newspapers every day, and
hence became so prominent that his
name was easily recalled. But Salmon
p. Chase, secretary of the treasury, was
seldom heard of in comparison with the
others, and only one man present re-
called his name. The other members of
the Lincoln cabinet were forgotten,
until veteran sailor reminded tue
gentlemen that Gideon Welles was sec
retary of the navy.
Gen. Grant was president for two
terms, and nobody in our party could
give the names of the members of his
cabinet. They were all great men, AMI
all served their country with distinc-
ton, but their names do not stand forth
prominently in the memory of men:
so that gathering of gentlemen who
have dealt with public men for many
years could not give their names.
Grant was the central figure of his own
administrations. The members of his
cabinet who were unfortunate were re-
called, but none of the others.
President Hayes had cabinet COM
posed of strong men, and their names
were mo.e easily recalled, because II
has not been so very long since they
were here with us. Can you name
them all, or any of them? William Nj
Evarts was secretary of state; Johr
Sherman was secretary of the treas
ury. Richard Thompson, of Indiana
the venerable statesman who still
lives, was secretary of the navy. DaviC
NJ Key was postmaster general, and il
remembered chiefly because he was the
first southern man given cabinet po
sition after the civil war. George W
McCrary, the author of the electora
commission bill, was secretary of wal
Carl Schurz was secretary of the in
terror, and Gen. Charles Devins, o
Massachusetts,, was attorney general.
Mr.. Evarts was in the senate for si
years, and then retired to private life
John Sherman has been in the senat
ever since, and has twice been pres
dental candidate. McCrary, Key an
Devins are dead. Carl Schurz is a
editor.
If their names were not mentione
thus particularly,who could recall thel
without great mental effort? Yer
few.
President Garfield had a strong cal
met, but it was broken up after h
death, and a new cabinet was forme
by President Artl.Rr. You might fin
it difficult to recall the names of t.
members of either one of those ca
inets. Blaine was secretary of state
Garfield's cabinet, and Frelinghuysc
was secretary of state in Arthur's ca