The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-02
Nunc Dimittis.

In classifying our noble and distin-
guished dead. the namo Of John Hay
must be placed in the list Of those which
reign justly and make. the times good
wherein they live
The whole world has felt the Influence
Of his craftsmanship, and civiliza ton is
improved and benefited by Ills work. So
far as such n statement may be made
OF any human being, 1t may be said of
John Hay that he was model man and
statesman. He had cultivated and de-
veloped In high degree those manly.
virtues which go to make up sterling
character; and in addition to those rugged
virtues which are Indispensable to per-
feet manhood, he had humor without
bufroonery and sentiment without nlawkish
scntimentation.
In his official life he was a statesman
without selfish ambition, a diplomat with
out circumlocution.
Some men have become famous through
their triumphs in war. John Hays fame
i
warrior riding with drawn sword leading
men to carnage and destruction had no
attraction for him; he chose rather to
follow the Prince OF Peace who wrought
and conquered through the divine diplo-
macy Of love.
He preached the gospel Of peace and
Z he did moro to promote peace and good
will among nations than any diplomat Of
his day and generation. He gave to diplo-
macy new meaning, changing it from
circumocution, indrection and deceit
fulness to directness and truth. He re-
pudiated the definition OF Tallyrand that
language was made to conceal rather
than to reveal ones meaning.
John HAYS ROBUST honesty startled the
powers Of Europe hut like u searchlignt
1t penetrated the smoky and murky at
mosphere of foreign diplomacy, and
II 1t did not clear 1t up, at least lightened
the gloom and exposure is the forerunner
OF reform
But tho peace for which lie stood was
not the peace Of slothfulness and death.
He labored also for progress and develop
4 ment. He made friends with England and
ton to have tho Clayton Buwer treaty
abrogated and the Hay-Ponccfote treaty
substituted: and by this negotiation
opened the way TO the building OF the
Z PHnpn1a ~ 81
outbreak in China he brought about an
international agreement through which
the integrity of the flowery kingdom was
guaranteed. and tho doors kept open tc
the trade Of all nations. John Hay wa.
pTc-eminently the champion OF the doc.
trine of the open door," and the whole
world has been compelled to recognize
and maintain it.
Yet with all these and other dist,n.
guEhed achievements. the man was sc
modest that he shrunk from: notor,ety
He never exploited himself, but AWAY,
insisted that the credit OF his accom-
plishments was due to his chief. He di,
not seek his own.
In his death long and notable III,
has come TO an end. Ills career was bot,
honorable and useful and although h
mad lived out the measure Of his days
there was no impairment of his facui
E Ties, no waning OF his worldwide in
auence
He that dies IN an carnest pursuit 4
HE ono that Is wounded in hot blood
Wno. 10. the time scarce feels the hurt
aud, therefore. mind fixed and ben
on somewhat that Is good dot
avert the dolsurs Of death But aboy
MI, believe II, the sweetest canticle i
nunc dimittis; when man hath obtaine
worthy ends and expectations"