Smyrna times., 1905-07-05

The death of Secretary Hay inficts
q deplorable loss upon the country.
The instant and universal outpouring
of grief bears no resemblance to the
conventional expressions which are
often evoked by the Disappearance of
g notable figure from the stage of pub
lie affairs. 1t is fact on which Amer
leans will dwell with peculiar gratif-
cation that the acknowledgment of
Secretary Hays eminence in the field
of diplomacy, which, in the hour of
their bereavement, is everywhere
made with the warmest assurances of
sympathy and respect was not reserved
until his death. They early perceived
that with decorum conforming to their
traditions, and with a suavity at
least as perfect as their own, he COM
bined frmness of purpose and d.
RICHNESS of method which swiftly aud
securely accomplished objects both
nationally and internationally essen
tial. We should be doing injustice to
the feelings of the world if we refrained
from saying that it has lost one of its
foremost citizens.
John Hays public life began with
the civil convulslon which was des-
tined to compact the great Republic in
all its present integrity. 1t ended at
moment when vast revolutionary
changes may be impending in Euro
pean empire and new opportunity for
the exercise of his benevolent wisdom
seemed - .be at hand. Between it's
sCofmy opening and it's anxious close
mis- career was marked by a singular
variety of public services-in journal
ism, literature and statesmanship, in
the promotion of liberal arts and the
diffusion of civilizing influences. He
possessed shining talents, and admir-
able qualities with which shining tai
ents are not often associated-cool
Judgment and unfaltering will, exquis-
ite courtesy and the great gift Of COM
mon sense. His clear fame of patriot I
ism never burned unsteadily. ThA
gusts of popular passion left iksA4dim-
med and unwavering.
Asa writer Colonel Hay gained a
distinction wbi-n would have been
greatly ar~<lheed if he had chosen to
les slserary effort absorb his attention,
but we think he might have won ever
higher reputation as an orator. Ht
had something far beyond mere flu
ency and grace of utterlnc He
could impart that spiritual touch whicf
distinguishes eloquence from rhetoric
Bis foo rare speechee, always forcefu
and felicitous in every part, contain
many passages which glow with ceIes
tial fire. Of Colonel Hay as a write
for the daily press The Tribune is en-
abled to speak with authority. He wa
long an invaluable member of its edi
torial staff, and while perhaps from
preference, he more often treated for
eign topics in its columns, there is u
topic he touched which he failed {
adorn.
Contemporaneous judgments ar
proverbially fallaeious, aud they ar
not least likely to need revision whe
they are pronounced upon a statesma
who has been conspicuous figure {
his time. But there is reason to b,
lieve that history will confirm the vel
dict which Secretary Hays fello
countrymen, in common with I'll
world beyond our borders, had aIread
found and are now repeating with SOL
rOwlul admiration. Throughout a pc
iod crowded with momentuous an
psrplexing events, under two grel
Presidents whose unbounded conf
dence he enjoyed, he conducted Il
department of foreign relations viii
rare provision, with answering 10y
atty to high ideals, and, so far as it
now possible to discern the future,
such manner as to confer lasting bel
efits, not only on his own country b
on all mankind. New York Tribuu