New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-12
WILLIAM JAY.
AN ANTr-sr.AyERY MEMOIR.

preface nv John octave. PIP. 100 ->e"-
York: Dodd, Mead and Company.
The preface to this important work is coiii-
paratiyely brief substitute for the elaborate OIL
oxraphy of his father which Mr.. Jay has oeeh
prevented by a prolonged Illness ana o'her
causes from completing Its quality Is So soou
that every discriminating reader VIII nope tha'
the filial work Of biographer and literary eHecu-
Tor undertaken most successfully by Judge Will
lam Jay for his father Chief Justice Jay may
yet be repeated in the third generation' Inc
memoir which Mr.. Jay cordially introduces 10
the public has a single motive, that OF laying
stress upon the Constitutional tendencies Of the
anti-slavery movement. William Jay eHerciseu
a powerful influence in directing the cause ana
keeninr II within the bounds Of Constitutional
law. That was his great work. and 1t Is adj
Ynirably and sympathetically described In the
memoir But he was also man OF singular
purity Of motive nobility of character and social
and intellectual accomplishments; and memoir
which Is hardly more than special STUDY OIL
one phase Of his political activity necessarily
touches lightly the simplicity ana lover!
virtues of his home life. the lucidity or MS
judicial charges from the bench and the scope
of his correspondence. on public questions.
Amends are made in the excellent preface writ
ten with good taste. sound judgment and charm
of STYLE but II is too short by half. Every page
shows how satisfactory would be complete
biography from the same hand, in place of
preface to a partial study Of a great and good
mans life.
William jay, the second OF the INDUSTRIOUS
John Jay the first Chief Justice Of the United
States was born in 1889 In the city of New
York With Fenmorc Cooper as a school-fe-
low he received his first instruction In Latin
IN the house Of an Albany clergyman Of the
true English type. and was subsequently pre-
pared for entering Yale College by Henry DAVIS
afterward president Of Hamilton College. lie
took his degree in 1907 having injured his sight
in his efforts to attain a high standing in the
class This physical infrmity seriously inter-
fered with his legal studies at Albany. and COM
PEELED him to abandon his profession for several
years after his marriage with Augusta NC
vickar. the daughter Of n New-York merchant
Retiring to his fathers homestead in Westches-
ter County, he devoted himself to agricultural
pursuits. experimenting successfully with bud
ding and grating. raising horses from imported
stock, and managing a farm Of eight hundred
acres He took a conspicuous part in the or
ganization of the American Bible Society. and in
a pamphlet indicated its principles against the
attacks of opponents in the Protestant Episco-
pal Church, showing the same courage and in
dependence Of character which afterward as
:inguished his devotion to the seemingly hope
less cause af anti-Slavery. In 1918 he was APP
pointed one Of the Judges Of Westchester County
and was allowed to retain the office under sue
cessive administrations until 1S4S. when he was
displaced by Governor Bouck in response to the
insolent demands Of the pro-Slavery Democracy
While Judge Jay had natural bent toward
phianthropic subjects. and feared neither OBJ
loquy nor social unpopularity when his moral
sense was touched, he had a judicial habit of
Ind If he n
temperate agtator. AS an advocate Of anti
slavery, ne urged emancipation with the Con-
stitution In his hand His labors a contro-
ycrsialist In that cause dated from the Mis-
souri, Compromise of 1921. His first active efforts
against slavery, the presentation 10 Congress in
1926 Of petitions for its abolition in the District
of Columbia. were characterized by scrupu-
lous regard for the provisions Of the Constitu-
ton When the American Society was formed
in Philadelphia his advice was sought and fol-
lowed, the scheme Of organization providing Tor
complete recognition of the supremacy OF Ma
tional law 1t was the constant labor Of his
life to confine the Abolitionsts TO the impreg-
nable position thus adopted. This position"
as the author justly remarks. consistently held
by him against unconstitutional doctrines adj !
vances by both Abolltonists and Shareholders !
was the position adopt: Il by the Republican |
party In 1854 and maintained until real union |
and real liberty were won together
The anti-slavery movement received little help !
from the churches from the learned professions, /
from the mercantile classes. or from men OF /
property and standing. 1t was an unpopular /
cause. that was certain to bring social and busi-
ness injury. If not active persecution TO whom !
socver adopted II. Mr.. Jays judicial and social /
position his independent means. and his active |
membership in the most aristocratic Of churches
81 tho liar val
liable Without health for making long jour
neys he seldom left his country home and was |
rarely seen at meetings of Abolitioniss. His |
was q voice speaking words Of reason, modera-
ton and authority in times Of blind excitement. |
and it was always heard with respect. His pen |
was never idle. His correspondence extended |
to the rank and file as well as TO the leaders
of the anti-slavery movement. His pamphlets |
and writings consulted by the most en- !
inent men at every stage Of the conflict. and |
formed lucid and continuous commentary on
the history OF the long struggle between the
forces Of slavery and freedom.
The Anti-Slavery Society was founded under
his advice, on Constitutional principles wise
and just that in 1889 branches to the number Of
1 $50 had been established and the most effective
means Of popular education adopted. This
memoir traces the favorable effect upon the
t:nued efforts were made to suppress the anti
slavery movement by force and intimidation
Then after recounting the gradual decline Of
riotous demonstrations against the A5olitonists.
It describes the changes in the methods Of
agitation which compelled Judge Jay TO resign
his membership in the American Anti-Slavery
Society while continuing by advice and his pen
his efforts ON behalf Of emancipation. He re-
NAMED until his death in 1853 indefatigabe in
controversy, conservative In methods and loyal
10 principle.
Quotations made In this memoir from his
with Abolition leaders, from his
'eply to Mr.. Webster's 7th of March speech.
rom his review of the Mexican War. from his