The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
THE JOHN HAY or THE SEVEN
TIES
"Reminiscences Of His Career IN New York
decoration Ago.


"Reminiscences Of His Career In New York
q decoration AGO.
To THE EDITOR OF THE 6UN--Sir: 1t was
my privilege to know John Hay somewhat
intimately during the period between 1870
and 1875. when he was in New York. At that
time he was remark ably handsome young
man, with peaches and cream coloring OF
complexion which might have suggested
something OF efYeminacy to those who saw
him only casually. About him also were
grace OF bearing and refined delicacy OF ex-
preston which, l remember, struck me at
first with some surprise, considering the ante
cedents Of his early Western surroundings
and the rough and tearing labors through
which he had gone as secretary OF Abraham
Lincoln during the civil war, Underneath
these outward appearances almost suggestive
OF the hnical found, however, there were Wig
orous masculine strength Of intellect, COM
mon sense and pr actlcal Western way of look
ing at things. He was far from the spoiled
darling" OF the drawing room which to
casual observer he might seem.
In his temperament and the cast Of his mind
there was. however. much that was distinc-
lively artistic and poetic. He was a natural
writer, graceful, Of quick intuitive percep-
tions, and Of charming literary form, and at
that time any eminence to which he might
obtain, 1t seemed to me, was destined TO be
in the more artistic range OF literature bis
taste in all art was nice and spontaneous The
artists OF the New York Of that day must recall
him as a frequent visitor TO studios. and. In
deed, his associations generally were most
with artists and literary people His tastes
and sympathies were with them.
Neither in his conversation nor In his choice
of associates was 1t made apparent, even to
many OF those with whom he was Oh terms
of intimacy, that he had any other than
a purely professional, journalistic interest IN
the larger and deeper affairs Of politics and OF
State. During that period. however, John
Hay was handling editorially some OF the
greatest questions which have ever risen In
the politics Of the world. and more than any
other editorial writet in New York at that
time. in a subordinate place, he was a master
OF them and his Judgment on them was mature
and wise. His political writing, his main ana
his central work, was we'll compacted and had
in it a quality Of distinction. He was. by all
odds. the sblest writer on the Tribune. the
most dominant personality; yet he had also
real talent for verse and for graceful and
artistic and humorous literary composition
which gave him a reputation that overlooked
his solid intellectual quality.
Few young men in America had had a larger
experience OF the world than was John Hays
when he came to New York Already he had
been initiated into the mysteries OF interna-
tional diplomacy and had made himself
vertable diplomat He knew by personal
and intercourse almost every
man in domestic and foreign
politics and in the higher walks OF statesman
ship. He had gone into the White House as
secretary to Lincoln only three years after
his graduation from Brown University. and
during the whole period Of the terrible strain
Of the civil war he had been brought into tho
closest familiarity with the great questions
and the great personages then prominent. IL
was work to make man OF him. to develop
in him reserve, judgment and critical per-
ception, to give to him maturity. at time
when his appearance was almost boNish.
When John Hay went to Paris as Secretary
of Legation, after Lincoln's death. our Minis
ter there was the Hon. John Bigelow. who
has spoken to me often OF the knowled &c and
ability and natural diplomatic aptitude OF
his young assistant. 1t was q critical period
Of the empire of Louis Napoleon. whose for
egn policy had turned out SO disastrously,
and Hay was a quick learner in that troublous
school OF politics. Afterward he was Charge
Araires at Vienna and just previously to
his arrival In New York he had been Secre-
tary OF Legation at Madrid under Gen. Sickles.
1t was a career wonderfully broad and varied.
This young man. by the time he had reached
his thirtieth year, had been brought into con-
tact with the largest affairs and the largest
men Of the world. Still youthful In appear
ance and OF a seemingly delicate and poetic
refinement which unified him for the rugged
work OF life he was really cool, hard headed
and Of knowing worldly sense remarkable
at any age. John Hay never rushed after
Illusions: he was never intoxicated by the
sense OF beauty which was so strong in him.
He gave to practical advantages their due
recognition. He never lost his head. never
let his magination run riot with his judgment
and prudence.
1t is not necessary that should recall the
ater achievements of MIR. Hay-his service
as Ambassador to England and as Secretary
of State. To those OF us who remember him
when he was in New York. handsome. grace
ful, youthful, dainty in tastes. the frequenter
Of artists studios and literary circles. his
subsequent and rapid development into the
foremost figure in international diplomacy
has seemed something marvellous. IT was
he evolution least expected Of him. We
looked rather to his becoming a bright orns-
ment in the field of American literature.
1t was, however. a logical development
as, think. have indicated in these slight
It was natural graduation
from the school OF training in which he had
been almost continuously from the time he
was college boy. Poetic, artistic, OF gentle
and beautiful perceptions. intuitions and
maginings. John Hay was yet, first of
all, man who was master of himself and Of
he circumstances he would shape to his ends
A very remarkable personality-a product
IF the West at a tims Of its ruggedness. yet a
lower OF the graces OF courts. a poet. but not
dreamer. a man OF the polite world. a stu
lent, a clear and shrewd observer; In fact,
very good type Of the Americanism of his
A CONTEMPORARY.
NEW YORK. July 1.
Danger Signals for Railroads.