The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-03

proved to be an earnest supporter Of
the Union cause. In 1872 he was ap-
pointed one Of the government counsel
at the Geneva conference, which adj
justed the difference between this
country and Great Britain growing
out of the so-called Alabama claims.
1t was made clear to the senate, in
confirming Mr.. Gushing for Spanish
minister, that President Grant had
made this selection to the end that the
administration and the country might
secure the benefit Of Mr.. Cushings
superb ability in smoothing out the
irritation existing between Spain and
cellent reasons for believing that ne
was commissioned to quietly urge
upon the Spanish government the de-
STABILITY Of granting, through some
process or other, independence TO
Cuba. The freedom Of that island was
a contamination wished by Mr.. Fish,
as well as by President Grant. In
February, 1874, following the assump-
ton by Mr.. Gushing of his new diplo-
matte duties, Mr.. Fish wrote to him
as follows: 1.-THE state of Cuba is the
one great cause of perpetual solicitude
in the foreign relations of the United
States. The president cannot but re-
gard independence, and emancipation,
of course, as the only certain, and even
HeCSSSdIy, SOloliOu OI the Question OF
Cuba. 1t requires to be borne in mind
that in so far as we may contribute to
the solution Of this question, this gov
eminent is not actuated by any sell
fish or interested motive. The presi-
dent does not mediate or desire the
annexation of Cuba to the United
States, but its elevation into an indie
pendent republic of freedmen in har-
mony with ourselves and with other
republics of America"
Neither Mr.. Fish nor President Grant
lived to see their hopes in regard 10
the freedom of Cuba realized. But Mr..
Fish, in his treatment of the question
at that time laid down certain lines
and applied certain principles of law
which have proved the basis for the
present sublime movement by the Unit
ed States to secure to the people of
Cuba those blessings Of liberty, which
we ourselves enjoy. 1t is fitting, there
fore, that the blood of Hamilton Fish,
seeping from the wounds OF the grand
son bearing his name, should be ming
led with the soil of that hitherto unfor-
tunate land, in the early dawn Of that
day when her people shall awake to a
tardy realization of the fulfiment of
their long cherished hopes.
Secretary Fish was in every line Of
life throughout his entire career,
thoroughly Christian American gentle
man. He was born in 1903 and was the
son of Col. Nicholas Fish, who gained
distinction in the War of the Revolu-
ton. He graduated from Columbia
college, practiced the profession Of law
and served his country, meanwhile, in
several minor capacities. He was gov
error of New York and United States
senator from that state. He was pos
eessed through inheritance of liberal
fortune, and he was particularly favor
ed through his marriage with Miss
Julia Kean, who was a great-grand-
rjece of Gov. Livingston, and grand
daughter of John Kean, member from
South Carolina, of the First congress.
In 1861 MIR. Fish purchased tract of
land, of approximately 500 acres, To-
river, directly opposite the West Point
Military academy, on the left. This
was part OF what was formerly known
as the Arden estate. Much of the
land consists Of timber, and the estate
Is known as Glen Clyffe. The house
is located III clearing, about a mile
and half from the eastern edge of
the Hudson, from which the ascent is
steep and rugged, and is reached by
following the famous Beverly road
From a dock near the lower end of
this road and at the intersection of a
creek running through III. Fish estate
effected his escape just after his be-
trayal of his country at West Point.
From the font porch Of Glen Clyffe
the heights Of West Point are visible.
1t was there that President Grant was
prepared for the leadership of great
armies in the cause of liberty, and 1t
was to Glen Clyffe, directly opposite.