The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-12-06
THE SERVICES OF JUDGE DAY

1t has been said that in every
emergency in this country the men
for the occasion are soon found.
They may be comparatively obscure
before, and such is usually the case,
but by some discernment of the peo-
pie, or those whom they invest with
authority, the right leaders are
singled out for every serious crisis.
Such was the case in the civil war.
Grant seemed to be a phenomenon,
but he had the qualities needed, not
only to win a succession of great
campaigns, but to wipe ont the
armies opposed to him. He was a
clerk in a small town when the war
broke out. In the present year of
great events for the United States,
involving new and difficult questions,
Judge William R. Day, late secretary
OF state, and now chairman of the
peace commission in Paris, has made
a record, proving that a man of
singularly high ability in statesman
ship has been discovered. The SER
vices he has rendered the people have
won their admirlng appreciation and
he will be historical figure in the
annals of the conflict with Spain.
1t was not until he had been at the
head of affairs for more than two
months that President Mckinley
askel Judge Day to assume the
labors of assistant secretary of state
The judge had been selected to make
a special investigation in Cuba, but
the president felt the need in the
cabinet OF his calm and judicial
qualities, along with his vigorous
power of concentration and clear in
sight 1t is needless to mention the
date when Judge Day was officially
Installed as secretary of state. He
had been such virtually long before
the destruction of the Maine. 1t was
he who handled the episode of the
De LONE letter, the correspondence
on the Maine, and the incidents Of
the intense strain preceding the war.
After hostilities began there were
delicate relations with the European
powers to handle. The protocol is a
monument to Judge Days en-,
and his work in negotiating the treaty
has been of the same strikingly high
order. He has made no mistakes.
Every American demand has been
conceded. There are no awkward
complications. With the skill of
perfect pilot Judge Day hes conduct,
ed his labors without a jar or an
error.
President Mckinley was criticised
for calling this country lawyer" to
to the head of the cabinet, but the
result not only shows that he made
the best choice, but that he has in a
rare degree the power of judging the
capacities OF men. Judge Day is not
a seeker of office. He resigned the
position of United States judge to
look after his private practice. He
resigned the position of secretary of
state when the defeat of Spain was
assured. 1t will be observed that
from first to last he has conducted his
duties without friction. He Is al
ways cool, discreet, courteous, COM
prehensive in grasp, clear in precep
tion, and calmly master of the situa-
ton. Ha has had welghty dealings
with the Spanish ministers, the
French Intermediary, and the am
bassadors of Europe, and in every
case has fully asserted the rights and
dignity Of the country, yet without
giving cause for offense. Though un-
schooled in diplomacy, he has been
more than match for the subtlest
diplomatists of the time. Judge Day
is a highly trained lawyer, as his