The native American., 1839-08-31

garQ Tor The sacred orioles, ana MS Constant SeHsc
of moral obligation, gave him, what most public
man most egregiousy want, the firm hold OF a body
Of unchanging opinions. With him right and
polite were identical, and he could never have any
fellowship with those politicians, who affect IL
find in public opinion the only standard OF right
and wrong His disinterestedness was as remar-
kabe as his integrity. Human fame he regarded
as bubble, and he gave it no place among his
motives Of action. Neither counting nor dread
ing The public opinion on the one hand, nor dis
regarding il on the other he devoted himself to
the service of his country from sense OF duty !;
and from the same pure motive, he steadily adj
hered to what he regarded as her best interests,
till the close ofle. He never sought for an office.
nor declined, nor accepted one, but from convir-
ton of duty; and as to all the low, selfish arts Of
demagogues, he held them in perfect adherence.
He used TO say, and who does not believe II to
be true, that from Absalam down, there had never
been an honest demagogue. ....
During the six years that he filled the Govern
or's chair, not one individual was dismissed by
him from office, on account of his politics. His
only question in appointing TO, and retaining per
sons in office, was, is he qualified for the place
and so long as an officer discharged his duties with
fidelity and ability, he was sure of being conn-
ued in his station. When in 1900, Mr.. Jeer
son, who was his political opponent, came into
office of president, Governor Jay had il in his
power to defeat his election, by calling together
the legislature of the state, at an earlier period
than usual, to appoint electors. He was urged
to do this by some able political friends; but he
declincd,r and on the back of u letter received
from ono of them, relating to this subject, he
wrote this short sentence; it speaks volumes for
his Observation-Disclosures! Proposing a measure for
party Purposes which think II aro,tld NOT BE-.
come naa tn a3opt." To crown all lie was de-
voted Christian, man of piey and prayer: II
feared and loved God, and in all his doings man
Tested 4 sacred reference to his will and glory.
This gave stability TO his character. purity TO his
motives elevation to his aims, and consistency to
his whole life. His patriotism was ola pure and
lofty character, because il was based on virtue,
and guided by the preceps Of the gospel; and he
would never sacrifice The smallest point of truth
and right to any measures of expediency what
ever In 1885, he was elected president Of the
New York Society for the manumsson of saves;
and had his councils prevailed, there would rot,
at this day. have been single slave in our coun-
try. While in Spain this subject occupied his
thoughts and in letter to friend in this country,
he wrote thus: Till America comes into this
measure" the measure of emancipation, . her
prayers TO heaven will be impious. | believe
God governs the world, and | believe il to be a
maxim in his, as in court, that those who
ask for equity, ought to do it,
In 1921 he was chosen president the Amer
lean Bible Society, which Office he held till the
year previous to his death, when increasing age
and infirmties obliged him to resign it. He died
at his residence in Bedford in 1922 in the eighty
fourth wear of his are. His sun went down fnll
orhed and bright. Not cloud, not spot OBJ
secured It's radiance. He sunk quietly to rest, full
Of years and full Of honors; and his works and
his character remain to bless posterity. He had
lived to see the great principles and measures Of
government which he advocated and especially
the Britt treaty, which he negotiated, and which,
at the time, brought upon him world of odium
and abuse, from the opposing political party Of
the day--he lived to see them all tested by time,
and crowned with complete success. Hesurvived
all those who had been personally opposed to him
in politics and when he left the world he prob
ably had NOT an enemy in it. He stood among
the living in The evening Of his days. as the ven
cradle patriarch OF another age, rcvcred and loved
by all who knew him : exhibiting an example
of true republican, Christian simplicity, and wal
ting, like good old Simeon, in calmness and seren-
ity Of unc!ouded hope the time of his departure.
Ic,nh Of no higherscrvicc whichcouldbe done
to persuade them to read and study tie life u
john Jay. lie stands among the purest and
nohest characters thich this or any other coun
try ever behell. 1t is refreshing, amid the cou-
flicts Of party and the selfish slrfes Of low dema-
gogues and little politicians, common in our
day, to contemplate character at once so highly
giftedin intellect, so pure, so di>interesed, so i'm
hucd with the fear and the love Of God, 50, IL
all respects. such realises our idea of great,
wise patriotic. Christian statesman. 1t is no de-
traction from the merits Of Washington. to say
that our country is much indebted to Jay as t.
him, for its independence and prosperity. II
Washington WAS first on the field, Jav was first
in The cabinet. Their sfheres of influence were
different. Washington was great in arms, and
great in holding up a standard around which the
country could rally. Jay great in council
in negotiation, in consolidating and giving wise
direction to our government in those perilous
times. which Immediately preceded and followed
the formation Of our present constitution. Bu
we need not be careful 10 fix the relative merits
OF these two ilmstrious men. They both acted
most conspicuous and useful part on the stage o
orr public affairs in life they loved and confdct
in each other as bosom friends !; and though a
death they were separated for season, we can
rOt doubt that thew are now reunited in = Dura,