) how most statesmen
have quit public life several times during their careers, like the prima
donnas who make farewell tours. The ingratitude of republics is
proverbial, but to limit ingratitude to republics shows a lack of
experience. The progeny of the men who tired of hearing Aristides called
The Just are very numerous. Of course it is easy to say that he who
expects gratitude does not deserve it; but the fact remains that the men
who know it are yet stung by calumny when it comes their way.

That fine demonstration in Jay's honor was in great part to overwhelm and
stamp out the undertone of growl and snarl that filled the air. Many said
that peace had been gained at awful cost, that Jay had deferred to royalty
and trifled with the wishes of the people in making terms.

And now Jay had got home, back to his family and farm, back to quiet and
rest. The long, hard fight had been won and America was free. For eight
years had he toiled and striven and planned: much had been
accomplished--not all he hoped, but much.

He had done his best for his country, his own affairs were in bad shape,
Congress had paid him meagerly, and now he would turn public life over to
others and live his own life.

All through life men reach these places where they say, "Here will we
build three tabernacles"; but out of the silence comes the imperative
Voice, "Arise, and get thee hence, for this is not thy rest."

And now the war was over, peace was concluded; but war leaves a country in
chaos. The long, slow work of reconstruction and of binding up a nation's
wounds must follow. America was independent, but she had yet to win from
the civilized world the recognition that she must have in order to endure.

Jay was importuned by Washington to take the position of Secretary of
Foreign Affairs, one of the most important offices to be filled.

He accepted, and discharged the exacting duties of the place for five
years.

Then came the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and the election of
Washington as President of the United States.

Washington wrote to Jay: "There must be a Court, perpetual and Supreme, to
which all questions of internal dispute between States or people be
referred. This Court must be greater than the Executive, greater than any
individual State, separated and apart from any political party. You must
be the first official head of the Executive."

And Jay, as every schoolboy knows, was the first Chief Justice of the
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