The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-07-01
John Hay.

A conspicuous figure in American
letters. a sturdy patriot among Amer
lean citizens, great factor in Amerl-
can craftsmanship, has passed. away
with the death of John Hay. By the
force of a brilliant mind and . service
of unyielding watchfulness he lifted
American influence to the greatest
height it has ever attained His
death this morning will. be received
by the other great nations as an event
of almost as much Importance to them
as to the country he served.
He was singularly blessed in grow
ing usefulness. His public services
began when he was only twenty-five
years old, public services which en-
abled him to be of help to President
Lincoln in one of the nations two
great crises, and developer in him
the purposes and standards of true
craftsmanship by bringing him into
close association with truly great men.
His career In middle life occupied him
chiefly with Journalism and the for
eign affairs of his country in Madrid,
Vienna, Paris, and London. 1t was
in the full maturity Of his abfli-
ties, therefore, and with en- excep-
tional equipment indeed. that he put
down the responsibilities of ambas-
sador to England and. at President
- 1,aI nd nf
Secretary of State.
But the achievements of his Secre-
taryship were surprisingly brilliant
even In the light of this preparation
BY opposing straightfor wardness
against finesse and meeting diplomatic
ingenuity with unceasing vigilance he
accomplished these important results
in the seven years he served as Sec
rotary of State: He adjusted the con-
troversy with Great Britain over the
boundary of Alaska and justified the
conducted negotiations with LORD
Pauncefote which removed the ole
diplomatic obstacles to the construc-
ton of an isthmian canal by this
country as an American enterprise ex.
sclusively. He led the way in main
tanning the integrity of China when
all the civilized nations of the world
were invading that country with
armies, and his craftsmanship estab.
lished the policy of the open door
for Chinese trade. Most noteworthy
of all, he procured from the othel
powers more definite recognition
Of the Monroe doctrine in broadel
terms than had ever been obtained
before.
These are only the most notabl,
products of his diplomatic career, anl
in none of them did he work alone
But they prove his title to rank Will
Jefferson, Webster, and Seward, and
as later years reveal more clearly
their bearing upon American history
will probably establish him as Amer.
ica's most successful Secretary o.
State
The District Of Columbia's particu
lar interest in his career is manifest
It was in Washington that his mos
important service was performed II
Washington he began his public life
In Washington he was neighbcr, a.
well as an official Here he delivered
most OF the addresses upon which hi.
literary fame will rest, especially tha
remarkable Grafton on the life O
President Mckinley He was. in al
likelihood, the only Cabinet ministe
in the history of the country wht
served from the District of Columbia
AS statesman, man of letters
and a neighbor, this community pay,
him tribute and mourns his death
While he lived, we of Washington
were in touch, through him, with tn
highest type of American citizenship