Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-07-07

John Hay was born in Salem, Ind,
Oct. 8, 1888, the son of a physician From
the public schools Of his native town he
went to Brown university where he
graduated in 1858, being class poet He
then studied law in the Office of his uncle,
Milton Hay. in Springfield, ILL., 1t was
there that the student formed the ac-
quaintance, which ripened into deep
friendship, with Abraham Lincoln In 1860
when Lincoln was nominated for the pres
idency by the Republicans, young Hay
worked for him through the exciting
campaign both as a writer and speaker.
When Lincoln went to Washington he
appointed Hay his assistant secretary.
Hay was Lincoln's trusted lieutenant all
through the civil war and frequently was
sent on missions OF great Importance.
He served for a time as aid to Gen
David Hunter and with Cen Q. A. Gil
more In the department OF the South,
with the rank Of major and assistant
adJutant general, and was breveted lieu
tenant colonel and colonel for faithful and
meritorius services during the war.
Secretary Seward was favorably i'm
pressed with the young secretary and
surprised Lincoln by naming him to be
secretary OF the legation in Paris. Young
Hay remained in Paris two years and
subsequently was charge d'affalres at Ma
drid. He resigned his Spanish post in
1870 to return to the United States. On
his arrival in New York he was enter
tained by Whitelaw Reid, managing edit
or OF the New York Tribune, whose ac-
quaintance had been formed while Reid
was war correspondent. That evening
Reid asked Hay to write an editorial on
an important foreign despatch. Reid
was so greatly pleased with this work
that he urged Hay to enter the employ
Of the Tribune. Mr.. Hay was connected
with that paper In an important editorial
capacity five years and some years after
served as managing editor during Mr.
Reds absence In Europe. II was during
his earlier association with the Tribune
that Hay gave to the world his pike
County Ballads" giving him at once high
standing as one OF the countrys minor
poets His Little Brooches" and Jim
Bludso" are familiar.
In 1874 Mr.. Hay married Clara L.
Stone OF Cleveland, Ohio, a woman OF
wealth and refinement. In 1875 Mr..
Hay moved from New York to Cleveland
and his political activity brought him
into close contact with James A. Garfield,
Rutherford Il. Hayes, William Mckinley
and other Republican leaders. Col Hay
was called to Washington in 1879 to
serve as first assistant secretary Of state.
President Garfield, on his election, urged
Hay to become his private secretary
and confidential advisor, but Hay was
moved to retire from active official life
largely because he felt that the time had
come for him to put into execution his
long cherished project of writing, In col
liberation with his former colleague,
John c. Nicolay. the biography OF Abra-
ham Lincoln, which both had determined
TO prepare. 1t was Nicolay whose assist
ant he had been during his association
with President Lincoln, and. OF course,
there were not in the world two men
hal tar 20, 10 .,n, lea,
Mr.. Hay settled down to his difficult but
congenial task. In 1889 the Life Of
Lincoln was completed and published,
and 1t long ago took its place in standard
American literature.
During these years Of his literary work
Mr.. Hay lived in Washington where he
was in close touch with the leaders OF
the Republican party and had an inti-
mate knowledge Of foreign affairs. He
was appointed ambassador to Great
Britain by President Mckinley March 16,
1897, and on August 10, 1898, was recalled
to become the head of President McKin-
ley's cabinet. succeeding Secretary Day,
who resigned to accept a judgeship. He
had held that Office ever since. having
been reappointed by President Roos-
evelt.
Mr.. Hays chief title to fame is his
work In the state department, which was
of character to reflect distinguished
hOnOT on lne country ana the highest
credit on himself. He negotiated series
of extradition treaties, nine of which
have already been ratified by the Sem
ate. These complete the circle, making
1t practically impossible for ordinary
criminals from the United States to find
a resting place in any civilized country.
Another important class of treaties ne
gotiated by Mr.. Hay are those arising
from claims of citizens of the United
States against foreign countries. He
settled more of these claims than any of
his predecessors.
When the Venezuelan troubles arose
the United States had to meet Italy,
Germany, Great Britain and other Eu-
ropean powers which had claims against
Venezuela, threatening serious trouble.
Mr.. Hays attitude in the AFFAIR indicated
to everybody concerned that he did not
propose to overstep the bounds Of COM
mon sense In upholding the Monroe Doc
trine. His dignifed course has been en-
tirely justified by the results. When
the claims came up for detailed settle
ment this government participated in
protecting the interests OF its own cit
liens and also Joined in an agreement to
submit the question OF preferential
treatmant m fha Hague tribunal Tins