Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-10

Whitelaw Reid is more famous rs journalist
and politician than an orator. He is too cold
and reserved BY nature to become great popu-
/ lar speaker like Robert Ingersol OF Bourke
Cochran, but in assemblies of his own class he
always speaks with intelligence. force and logic
Here in New York we never think of him as an
old man, and yet he Ia treading uncomfortable
close to sixty, having been born in Xenia
Ohio. some time in the thirties. He is of
Scotch extraction, any one will tell you who
has ever done any business with him. He was
fifteen years old when he entered Miami Uni
versity. and after his graduation he was made
the principal OF the graded school in South
Charleston, Ohio. After that he became
editor and proprietor OF the Xenia Meas and
for two years led the life Of a country editor
The republican party founded about
the time that Mr.. Reid finished his senior
year, and he identified himself with it at
once, diligently studying the columns OF the
New York Tribune and working hard for Joh.a
C. Fremont In 1860 be advocated the nomi-
nation of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency,
aud 1t was largely through his influence tina.
the Ohio delegation to the convention con-
tained so many Lincoln men During the war
he achieved a national reputation by his letters
from the front to tine Cincinnati Gdzette, his de-
scription of the battle of Pittsburg Landing
being regarded one of the most brilliant
journalistic achievements of the rebellion.
on THE TRIBUNE.
After the war Mr.. Greeley urged him to take
an editorial position on the New York Tribune,
and it was not long before be became the
managing editor Of that paper. After the death
of Mr.. Greeley he obtained control of the T'ri-
bUne by Offering the shares of stock collateral
to friends who advanced him money on it. and
although that paper was conducted at a loss for
many yearr, it eventually became the mag
nificent property which il is today. Mr.. Reid
was twice offered the post of minister to Ger
many, but refused ID on both occasions He
accepted the ministry to France and during
his stay In Paris made himself very popular not
only with the French people, but with his own
cOuntrymen, his large income enabling him to
disIe nse a magnificent hospitality.
When he first assumed control of the Tribune
he iampooned and ridiculed to an unwar-
ranted degree by his contemporaries, but he
kept on h!s course, made the Tribune paying
property. married the charming daughter of
Mr.. ID. U. Mills of San Francisco and now has a
chance TO do a little laughing himself. His
city residence Is the Willard mansion on Madi-
son avenue, an enormous and costly house
erected by that specula,or few years ago.
In the summer he goes to his country seat.
Ophir Farm, at White Plains. in Westchester
county Tie has long ago made friends with a
great many people who were his enemies
quarter Of a century ago. and many of these
people are now entertained both at his country
seat and in his CITY home. Although a member
of three or four fashionable clubs-he was for
many years president of the Lotus-AIr. Reid is
an eIninently domestic man and spends his
leisure hours in the society of his wife and
children.