The Washington herald., 1910-08-14
By JAMES n. MoRRow

,
registers. would not be pertinent in this
place. even II It were known.
A human tower OF a man. when he is
on his legs. Hamilton stood up. gloom
lily at first. in the House OF Representa-
tives not long ago He was 20 make mis-
first speech In the Congress OF the United
states. Time had been obtained from
James A. Tawney. Of the Canuonites most
positive and wary
Debate, technically. pertained TO a bin
appropriating money Under the lati-
tude Of common practice. Hamilton Fish
talked about something else. He svyore
new and vigorous allegiance TO Theodore
Roosevelt. he kissed and pledged his
oratorical sword 10 William Howard Taft
and he paused 10 remark that the defini-
ton OF insurgency hinged entirely upon
the mental attitude OF the person who
gave IT, Orthodoxy is my doxy," he
said. 'Heterodoxy is another mans
doxy''
ASsaiIs His Colleague.
20 proclaiming and explaining. Hamn-
ton Fish got down TO the business that
had called him up-the lifting Of the lean
scalp-lock OF Jacob Sloat Fassett. his
political eomrade and colleague from New
York. Meanwhile. Tawney. heavy-voiced
and peremptory, essayed. but unsuccess-
fully to take him of his feet
A fortnight later word was passed from
mouth to mouth. in presence Of reporters.
that Col Roosevelt had sent Hamilton
Fish cordial telegram or a secret hint
OF some sort. Moreover. there was to
be a speedy conference and insurgency
seeking testimony as TO character gave
quiet publicity TO the news in a loud tone
The style Of Fish. as a man OF thunder
can be caught in the sweep and roar Of
his invective "Fassett." he said. owns
and believe edits. a newspaper. which.
while limited perhaps in circulation. is bv
no means limited in fulsome praise OF
its proprietor. In fact. he needs no press
agent-he fills the Job himself" AS 10
Mr.. Fassett in his capacity 20 interpret
public sentiment and I'm his elements as
a party leader. "he Is the single and
significant instance of the only Republi-
can candidate for governor Of our State
who in twenty years has been defeated"
Speech Makes Fish Famous.
In a sense. the speech made Hamilton
Fish famous Insurgency was confessed
Before Fish came to Congress. by the
counsel OF Col Roosevelt himself then
President. he was an Assistant Treasurer
of the United States, with an Office IN
Wall street. Immediately opposite J. !
Pierpont Morgsn's bank Thus. environ /
mentally. at least. he was supposed TO be /
in fellowship with the octopus. Besides. /
his brother Stuyvesant was once presi-
dent Of the Illinois Central Railroad. In 7
surgency. therefore, in the case OF Fish. !
transferred Itself from the West. it's re- !
puted habitat and stronghold and took |
firm root in the East not in humility and /
poverty. as witness La Toilette. Cum |
minis. Norris. and Murdoch. but in pride |
and among the precincts OF the very rich. /
As a family, the Fishes have been |
ardent in their friendships and helpful |
10 their country. The word aristocratic |
is offensive in a republic, but the Fishes. |
after they ceased 10 be colonial farmers.
may be so described. Hamilton Fish. |
father Of the present insurgent, put his |
crest a dolphin and a griffin, on his |
silverware. writing paper, and carriage !
door. He was Grants Secretary Of State |
for eight years, and with Grant brought |
upon Charles Sumner the greatest hu- /
initiation of his life, and thus fastened /
in history an unhappy incident that will /
always be read with displeaswe The |
Fish fidelity 20 friendships and the Fish /
austerity Of character are plain 10 be /
seen in the event. Son and namesake. |
seemingly. has inherited some Of the |
qualities OF the father.
Grant MisunderStOOd Him.
Having prepared a treaty annexing 1
San Domingo. then on the edge of an 1
other revolution. Grant called at Summers |
house one evening. Sumner was chair I
man OF the Senate Committee on Foreign |
Relations. Pressed for an answer to a |
pretty direct question. he is said to have |
replied; Il am an administration man. |
and whatever you do, Mr. President. will |
always find in me the most careful and |
candid consideration" Grant mIsunder- !
stood the cautious answer and accepted |
II as a pledge of Summers favor.
Later, Sumner openly opposed the an l
nexation. John Lothrop Motley. author /
Of THE Rise of the Dutch Republic. - |
and Summers friend, was removed soon |
afterward Minister to Great Britain. |
Motley said that Grant and Fish punished /
him as a rebuke to his distinguished !
patron, and Fish rejoined by declaring |
that no man living would look with /
more scorn and contempt" than Grant |
upon one who uses the words and the
assurance OF friendship 20 cover a secret |
and determined purpose of hostility" It |
was obvious to all that Sumner was on
the point of his rugged pen.
sumner Loses Power.
Several nights thereafter Sumner
snubbed Fish at dinner Within three
months Sumner was removed as chair
man of the Committee on Foreign ReIa-
lions and Simon Cameron, Of Pennsylva-
mia, was chosen in his stead HIS rupture
with Grant alienated him from the Re
publican party. and he was never again
active in politics although he was an
''insurgent' in 1872 and languidly support
ed Horace Greeley.
Imperious and. perhaps, ruthless, Fish
was aggressiveiy American in his opin-
ions and policies. as well as a brilliant
diplomstist He negotiated the treaty
that resulted in the settlement of the
Alabama claims. first suggesting how
ever, that Canada would be satisfactory
in lieu OF a money payment. In 1869 he
prevented the recognition OF Cuba as an
independent nation and a war with Spain.
which would have followed, logically.
The war came twenty-nine years later.
and Hamilton Fishs grandson. one Of
Roosevelt's Rough Riders. was among
the first 20 fell IN Cuba. Predicting that
Hawaii would some time belong to this
country Ticb hts1r.o -lyed Ia fcIo,5e /