The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-01

OF tho project. As it was he wrote i've OF the
weghtiest OF those influential essays. He was
also the author OF an anonymous address 10
the people OF the state Of New York. which. Rc-
cording to contemporary evidence. had an
astonishing effect in converting anti-Federal-
lists to the belief that the new Constitution was
their only salvation. In the New York Con-
vention Jay and Hamilton stood side by
side against an apparently overwhelm-
Ing number OF opponents and all
though the laurels of the victory
we're borne by Hamilton. the work OF Jay was
known to be such that Washington wrote TO
him: Il congratulate YOU on the success OF
| your labors to obtain an unconditional ratiil-
cation" On tho same point John Adams bore
witness In 1915: That gentleman. mean Mr..
Jay. had as much influence in tho preparatory
measures in digestinE the Constitution ana
! obtaining its adoption Ms any man in the ma
| tion." What Washington thought OF Jay he
| proved Immediately after his own Inaugural
| ton by Offering him q choice OF the Federal
| Offices Jay chose the Chief Justiceship, and
| held It until 1885 In 1892. while he was still
| Chief Justice. he was nominated by the req
eralists against George Clinton for tho Gov
ernorshlp OF New York. and 1t is undtsputed
that he obtained majority OF the popular
vote; but tho ballots OF Otsego. Tioga, ana
Clinton counties were thrown out on technical
grounds by q returning board OF which ma
jority were Clintonians. Rufus Kings opinion
OF this performance was expressed In his dec
laration that Clinton was as lawfully Governor
of Connecticut as he was OF Now York. Tho
wrong done to Jay was not forgotten by the
people who, three years afterwRrd. during
his absence from the country. elected MIN
Governor. and again, In Observation-Disclosures
the odium he had meanwhile incurred by tho
treaty with Great Britain-reGlccted him by
large majority.
In the spring OF 1894 Washington determined |
to send Jay to England to avert war; II posi- |
ble by an adjustment OF boundaries. and the |
conclusion OF q commercial treaty. jay was |
not for q moment mised rs to the effect which |
such mission. however it might result, would |
have on lis reputation. He pointed out at the |
time that, in the existing state OF American
parties, mo man could make treaty with
Great Britain. however advantageous it might
be to the country. who would not thereby rem
der himself 80 unpopular and odious as to blast
all hope Of political prelerment." Nevertheless
he said. II Washington should call uron him to
perform the service. he would perform 1t to the
best of his abilities. believing that the good Of
his country demanded the sacrifice. 1t is we'll
known that tho treaty concluded by jay SUBJ
jected him to storm Of opprobrlum but what
the English thought Of 1t was expressed by
Lord Sheffield when, at the breaking out Of the
war of 1912. no snid: We have now an oppor-
tunity OF getting rid OF that most impolitic
treaty OF 1894 when Lord Granville was so per-
fectly duped by JAY" Significant OF profound
change in American opinion on the subject is
an admission made by the latest biographer of
Andrew Jackson that Jays treaty was a
masterpiece of diplomacy considering the time
Oh ntr ~ lie nfrvb 10 l
quite probable. however that Jays temporary
oss OF popularity through the treaty with
Great Britain prevented the Federalists from
making him their candidate for President in
1897 instead OF John Adams.
John Jay was Governor of New York for six
Tears. during which NOT one individual was
dismissed by him from Office on account OF his
politics. Such was the confidence In his integ-
ity and impartiality that he had a tremendous
lold upon the voters OF the State. and the Fed
ralists besought him to accept nomination
or q third term, as the only man able to beat
he Republicans. who. through the skilful man
IGement OF Aaron Burr, had Just obtained an
majority In the Assembly. But
ay's determination to retire from public life
vas absolute and final He was a second time
dominated and confirmed Chief Justice of the
Jnited States. but this office also he rel ected.
10 withdrew in 1901 to his country seat at
Bedford in Westchester county. and there
ived continuously for the remaining twenty
light years OF his life.
Mr.. Fellows biography will impress the read
r with the sinGleness. uprightness, and stead
astness OF purpose that made John Adams de-
cribe Jay as "a Roman" though. as a matter
4 fact most Romans would suffer by COMPARE
on. He is one OF tho few distinguished men
+ the revolutionary and constitution making
pooh whose intellect and character shine
Orth the more resplendent in proportion as We
re brought closer to them by searching in
ury and exhaustive knowledge. In John Jay
here was nothing to hide and nothing to ex-
enuate and the study OF his character and
motives helps US to understand the moral
scendency possessed by the Federalists long
fter their political preponderance had van
shed. 1t is hard TO distinguish the real fea-
ures OF some OF his contemporaries through
le mist OF legend. No myths have grown
round John Jay. He lives in our memories
awless statue. whose noble linenments have
verything TO gain from the clear light OF his
Dry. NJ w. II.