New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-27
OBITUARY.
SYDNEY HOWARD GAY.


Another OF the eminent writers whose services we're
OF the greatest vauo TO the Union in the days OF her
btterest trials and struggles has passed away In the
person OF sydney Howard Cay who died yesterday at
his homo in Livingston, S. l. For several
years he had been so great sufferer from paralysis
10 be unable to without assistance. To one
of his genial and eminently social temperament, his
long and hopeless Illness must have been peculiarly
trying and he doubtless welcomed death as relief from
his prolonged confinement to a sick bed The news OF
bis DEATH though IL is something which his best friends
can scarcely regret, called forth many expressions OF
tender regard Mr.. Gays nature was so modest and
kindly that he made lasting and sincere friends of nearly
all with whom he came into close contact, and even
those who differed from his views whether In politics
literature forced to admire the sincerity OF his
convictions and the coarness and power with which
they were expressed. The invarable courtesy of his
daily life was carried into his work. and though he could
hit hard when occasion required he was fair ana
frank opponent.
Mr. Gays body Will be taken to-day to bingham,
Mass, on the FAN River boat whore he will be buried
I'm a private cemetery, the same place where he was
born The funeral will be at bingham. About three
years ago, while much run down by oyer-worK' Ar'
Gay spraned his ankle and was laid up In bed Tor some
time where, deprived Of exercise but still dong much
brain work. his health was undermined and tho brst
symptoms OF the disease from which he died appeared
~ few weeks before MS uccln luS pun "HiNH iN H"'
constantly and patiently borne for years abaed ma
terally and for the last three weeks Of his life he
suffered but llttle For two days before his death he
was entirely unconscious, his death being painless
lie leaves widow one son and two daughters.
Mr. Cay came of good old New-England stock, ana
his literary and executive abilities were doubtless IN
considerable measure the gift Of both his parents He
was born in 1874 at bingham, Mass. His father was
Ebenezer Cay, a lawyer, and the grandson Oh INC
Rev. Ebenezer Gay, who was pastor OF the church IN
bingham from 1918 till his death, in 1857. tbs
clergyman's wlfo was granddaughter OF Governor
Bradford, of Plymouth Colony sydney Howard Cay
was entered as student at Harvard when only fifteen,
but in consequence Of poor health, he was compehed
to withdraw from the University though subsequently
tho A. b. degree was conferred upon him. sohlo ''o
was passed in travel for tho benefit OF bis health SUD
seauent TO his withdrawal from Harvard, and atter
brief experience in contingencies IN Bos'oh' H0
began to study law IN his fathers Office Ills s'rons
adherence to his conscientious principles, and his pas
sonae love for liberty and freedom soon nterposeu
an insuperable obstacle to his becoming lawyer lie
felt that he could not take the required oath to sup
rort the Constitution Of the United States so long as
IL fostered and protected the institution of slavery
Having sacrificed his intended career upon inc au al
OF this belief 1t only natural that no shouiu leo
strongly drawn toward the AbotOnlSs, and he loiheu
the Garrison forces though their numbers were tneh
few and their views generally unpopular
In 1912 Mr.. Cay became a lecturer for the Anerl-
can Anslavery Society, and two years later assuneu
the edtorshp of The Anti-Slavcry Standard pup
nshed I'm this city. lie remained in this position tl
1887 when he Joined the star of The Tribune as an
editorial writer From 1862 to 1866 he was the man
aging editor Every thought and instinct OF his BRAIN
was devoted to the necessity Of crushing the keDeoh
and his services were of the utmost value to the paper
and to Mr. Greeley. Under the most dire reveiseS Ms
sprt never faered and his advocacy OF his principles
was ever able, brilliant and stirring In loo' MT.
tav removed to Chicago, where, till the great ire o.
1871 he was the managing editor OF The Tribune OIL
that city, After the fire, he was an inde.atSaDe Hei
her Of the Relief Committee, and wrote the first puDshe
report OF is work soon after his abors on the com
mittee were finished, Mr. Gay returned TO New torh
and was appointed managing editor OF " Inc E'olnhs
post n poston he retained for two years -, ,
Nr GAYS most important literary WORK, outsluc VI
journalism. was the Popular History OIL inc ny ~ -.
states1 published by Charles scrlDners SONS, lna
firm wished william Cullen Bryant to write tle hs'DrS
Int being unable to undertake IT, ne suSseHtov ,i
Mr. cav should be the author. Mr. Bryant cOhiiOuteu
Tho rrface to the first of the four volumes, anu cav
some assistance In tho body Of the work. Wnlch wa,
vol received and had large sale. In loo4 MI Edy
,.rnte a life of James Madison" and When sltichN
~ With narayss was engaged upon biography OF
EdmInd Quincy for the "American Men OF iei,cFs
series Other members Of Mr. Gays family VINO nav
attained distinction his BROTHER Wlnckwof'n Allan
CAV and his nephew, Walter Gay, the artist AoInrl
brother was Or. Martin Gay, OF Boston VINO won oo-
siInr.Lle rcnutation as an analytical chemist.