The National tribune., 1899-11-16

column of seeding States, and 1t was
mainly through his efforts that the gal
liant little Stateof Delaware furnished more
than the full number of trooFs required by
President Lincoln's proclamation.
Judge Fisher WAS in frequent and close
communication with President Lincoln on
the project Of the latter for the emancipa-
ton Of slavery, and il vas 10 him that the
President intrusted the preparation of a
bill to be presented 10 the Legislature Of
Delaware for The emancipation of slaves in
that State. 4 copy of that bill is among
these papers.
President Lincoln was so impressed with
the zeal and patriotism of Fisher that upon
the abolition Gf the old courts and the
creation Of the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia by act of March
3, 1863, he appointed him one of the
Associate Justices. Itwas during his term
upon the bench that he presided at the trial
of John II. Surratt for the assassination
of Abraham Lincoln.
1t is said OF his charge TO the jury in that
trial that so able a charge had not been
made since the days of Taney.
Judge Fisher resigned his place upon the
bench and accepted the office of United
States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
In this position he was noted for the same
salm courage and high integrity that he had
displayed in his Judicial capacity. After
five years he resigned TO return to his native
State, with no intention Of again entering
public life; but in June, 1889, he accepted
the position OF First Auditor of the Treasury,
rendered him by President Harrison, which
office he held until the change Of Administra-
ton in 1898.
Any one whose good fortune it was to
know Judge Fisher would without hesita-
ton accept any statement he would make.
He was a man OF most coUrtly bearing,
impressive manner, and honest intent.
His finger was always upon the pulse of the
EatiOn'5 heart, and the records he has left
are true without question.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The sidelight Judge Fisher has thrown
spon the great question Of the Monroe
Doctrine is OF intense interest This page
would not mold the fun text Of the historical
data he has left. but some extracts will give
eae import:
THE United States had scarcely assumed
a place among the nations Of the world, ere
the most progressive clement of the PEOPLE
began 10 consider (raguely though ii
might have been) the propnety of putting an
end to colonization on the Western Hemi-
sphere by the mopsrchies of the old world
AT the head Of this class Of our statesmen
stood Henry Clay, whose eloquent appeals
in favor Of the recognition of the inde-
pendence Of the Spanish colonies not only
fired the hearts Of the people of this country,
but, being translated into Spanish, were by
the order of Bolivar, the Washington of
South America, read 10 his armies, then
striving for liberty, and spread h. news
papers and hand bills throughout all the
struggling colonies OF Spain, TO cheer them
In their efforts to achieve independence.
For long time our prudent and con-
servatiye President, Mr.. Monroe, was con-
slant in his opposition not only to the senti-
ment Of America for Americans and no
more European colonization and interfer-
ence on the American continent but was
likewise opposed TO the recognition of tie
Independence Of the Spanish colonies, and
he was sustained in this opposition by a
still more conservative Cabinet, composed
OF John c. Calhoun, VIM. II. Crawford and
VIM. Writ; Hr. John Quincy Adams alone
favoring it.
But at length Er. Clay, by his matchless
eloquence and marvellous will power, sue
ceeded in Februar. 1921, in passing
through the House of Representatives a
series OF resolutions expressive of the strong
sympathy of the people of the United
States with the South American patriots,
and assuring the President of the support
OF the House in recognizing the independ.
ence OF the struggling colonies.
These resolutions We're vehementIy
opposed by the conservative element in the