The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-31
The new York Tribuae.

since, to secure the New York Tribune
to the interests OF the Administration,
or perhaps, it would be more fair ia, say,
that interested parties wished, in order
to subserve their own purposes, to bring
it again into the Administration fold,
and to its old position OF organ and
leader in the Radical Republican party.
It was thought that this could be done
by engaging the services of Vioe.Presi-
dent Colfaz ss chief editor; and Mr..
Colfax himself seems to have shared the
delusion of his friends. that he could get
along safely in Mr.. Greeley's big edito
rial boots. After some coquetting be-
tween him and the holders Of con-
trolling interest in the Tribune stock,
bought up for the purpose We have
named. it was seen that mere figure
head like Mr. Colfax would not do.
The scheme was hardly aired, before it
was found that it would not work we'll.
Mr.. Colfax presides creditably enough
over tho Senate; he can make neat
namby-pamby speeches.; he can smile
ghastly smile in season and ont OF sea.
son; bnt he could not be safely entrusted
with SO difficult and responsible posi-
ton as the one he coveted. Because
he once printed, or edited, a weekly
country newspaper, it did not follow
that ho could acceptably fill so large o
place as Mr.. Greeley's on the Tribune.
Tho brain was lacking; the knowledge,
the culture. the experience and the taot
we're all felt not to be in him. So, Mr..
Orton, who had bought the uharea, was
glad to get out of the difficulty by re-
selling to Mr.. Whitelaw Reid. This
gentleman is woll and favorably known
to the country as Mr.. Greeley's lieute-
nant, and as the sharer Of his views in
regard to reconciliation, peace aud re-
union, and as q capable, industrious,
conscientious aud growing newspaper
manager and writer. His success in re-
acquiring control over tie Tribune, after
having sold his shares aud left it, has
been the subject Of congratulation
among newspaper experts all over the
country, as the triumph of legitimate
journalism over charlntanism and figure
head-ism. Mr.. Reid has manly pride
in his profession, as we'll as undoubted
capacity and high qualifications for it's
duties. In an interesting article i'll the
Tribune. to which lie hos now returned
as editor, he explains his relations to the
journal and to parties. aud defines the
uses to which lie means to put it. A
couple Of extruots will place these in a
sufficiently clear light. He says:
1T is now proper to state, thut as the
result Of certain intrigues and outside
efforts to gain control OF the paper and
wrest it from the purpose to which our
late chief devoted it, some changes have
taken place in the proprietorship, and q
large majority of the stock is day per-
manently concentrated in the hands OF
Mr.. Greeley's chosen editorial associates
men whom he trained for this particular
duty, to whom he entrusted the manage.
.ment of his journal in the gravcst emer-
gencies, whom he konored with the CON
fidencc Of his thoughts and wishes, and
whose purpose it now is to continue the
work from which he was 80 suddenly
called away. Their ambition is TO make
the Tribune of the future what Horace
Greeley would have made it, if God had
spared him-a frank and fearless news
paper, devoted to the best interests OF
the whole country.
In taking up the unfinished task
which fell from his hands few weeks
ago, we happily have the men whom he
brought around him. the facilities which
he accumulated. and means 80 ample
that when, a few days since. over half II
million OF dollars was paid for the bare
control Of the paper, we, knowing the
worth OF what Mr.. Greeley had built IN,
bid higher and bought it back. Hence
forth, there is no price whatever with
which any stranger can buy lit is be-
yond reach. So fortified, We purpose
continuing our old battle against injus-
tics and ignorance. under tho same Re-
publican banner which Horace Greeley
upheld so stoutly and so long, and on
the same policy Of candid independence
which it was one Of his latest acts to re-
affirm over his own signature in these CO.
lumns. Naturally, we shall prefer 10
support, as for as possible, on Admins
tration which Processes the party namo
Such an Admin nistrafion will reraiva from