Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-12
MR.. JOHN JAY,

This venerable relic Of an age and raco
now almost gone by and extinct, furnishes liv-
ing evidence both Of tho injustice and impoli-
cy Of party violence and proscription-f in,
deed we were not sufficiently admonished Of
this truth by the scenes which are now daily
transpiring within our own observation Tho
patriotism Of Mr., Jay in the ~pcrilous times Of
our revolution was ominently conspicuous. An
advocate Of tho Declaration Of Independence,
he felt the full force Of tho pledge no had Civ
en- to sustain il with his life and fortune. His
amor patrie did not evnporatc in idio words
but can BIO traced in his deods. True il ia
his name 10 no where seen connected with tho
daring and brilliant achievements Of war. No
victory was won by his skill in tho fcld-nor
no "nemy defeated by his valor. His duties,
however, were not tho less arduous and impor-
;nnt than those Of tho men who headed our
armies Whilst ho remained ut home, his
genius shone at tho Council board, and in tho
halls Of Legislation. A broad. his exertions
were unceasing 10 procure tho recognition Of
our Independence by foreign powers. and 10
obtain loans Of money. ms we'll as tho assist,
nnce OF fleets and armies 10 enable US 10 bat,
lie more successfully against The mother coun-
try. Mr.. Jays fine talents displayed in owe,
ry department Of governmont-as a legislator,
a jurist and n d%iplomatist, was una ccompanied
by that sordids ambition which too frequently
degrades tho most splendid genius. Flo held
elevated Offices, il is true-but they wcro not
sought for by hun. They were conferred upon
BIN ns n necessary conse quence Of his worth
and tai nts.
II is known, however, that when no aban-
doned public life. no was yet in tho primo Of
manhood - as vigorous in intellect as when no
detected tho plot OF the Count do vcrgennes,
and when he throw such n food Of light on tho
.I.za ..a. ~ H. ...-t- -f
quality. lilo carried with him in his retire
ncnt. no consuming canker, arising either
from envy Of others success in the race Of
fame and distinction, nor from, tho disnppoint-
mont OF his own ambitious hopes. His great
aim had been accomplished. He had seen his
country freed from the rule Of tyrants-he had
assisted TO rear n system Of republican govern.
mont, and he had lived 10 behold, in tho hap.
pincss and prosperity Of the people, tho WIS.,
dom Of tho plan no had seen the soundnoss
Of his opinions with regard TO the French rev.
olution; for tho expression Of which his feel.
ings had boen so wan'only outraged, and his
character so rudcly ossailed, vindicaied by tho
rcsult--in short, no has lived down tho msliR.
nant calumnies Of his enemies, md dissipated
tho honest prejndices Of those who we're de-
ceived by tho more nriful as 10 his real char
actcr, and. tho winter Of his days 10 crowned
with the rich fruit he had sown in the spring
and gsrnered in the autumn Of his ~evcntful
and useful life. Party spirit may in tho his
tory Of Mr.. Jays career. learn . ussful lesson
Of moderation and forbcaranco.
Politicians should rocollect that the honest
fame Of our great mon 10 our most valuable
treasure, and that should no, be outraged, BE-.
cause ,hoy arc public men, or candidates for
Office. without the most "pregnsnt ressons.''
Should. however, any Of them be assailed
! f.-. IL .---- --ts--s- n
party spirit, there is no presumption in saying,
that i,oy will live long enough TO vindicste
their rc regulations and their memories from re-
proacIi, rs . Warrington, sn'Adams, q Jsisr,
son. a Madison and a Jay have dons.--Ths
! Virgiaian.