New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-02
MP EEID'.S RETURN.

MR.. EEIUS REIJHM
To-day or tomorrow the country welcomes
back Mr.. Whiteaw Reid, soon to be relieved
of responsibility as Minister to France. lie
comes crowned with honors, because he has
done much for his country To say this has
seemed proper to his most distinguished French
antagonists in diplomacy it has seemed proper
10 men of other countries who have watched
and weighed his work it has seemed proper
TO manly and honorable opponents and rivals
in this country TIE TRIBUNE may therefore
say without fair criticism or challenge that his
work abroad has been useful to his country
and to him highly credtable
This work has been done, not because he
was a partisan, though he is an earnest Re-
publican; not because he was a journalist,
though his place in journalism is recognized
but because he was the right man for the work,
and the President intruSted the tools to one
who could handle them There are some news
papers which censured this selection, aSsum-
ing that it was made without concern for the
public welfare. Nobody now says that the
President did not select the right man for the
place. Some said that the appointment muz-
lied and crippled great journal, as if The
because it was deprived for years of Mr.. Reds
guidance. 1t is only day or two since Con-
gressional committee was listening to disclos-
ures about one of the Executive Departments
which THE TRIBUNE had reason to consider
trustworthy, but which witness thought The
TRIBUNE should not have printed because Mr..
Reid was serving his country at Paris Those
do not know him who imagine that, had 1t
been bis to decide, he would not have cared
more for the good of his country than for any
Office.
Just at this time it may with propriety be
said that The TRIBUNE has criticised the Adj
minstration of President Harrison without
hesitation where ii has seemed to be in error.
ID has often been commended, and heartily,
because the work of the Administration has
often been worthy of hearty concentration.
Not since 1864 have there been three years
more honorable to the country in faithful and
efficient administration than the last three OF
more fruitful i'll wise legislation. Alike in
urging benetcent and in opposing harmful
measures, the legitimate influence of the Pres
ident has been often felt, and the Admlni>tra-
ton has been especially entitled 10 credit Tor
the Meat Inspection bill and the Reciprocity
clause of the Tariff, which have placed power
full levers in the hands of diplomatiNtN who
were striving to serve their country abroad.
Yet THE TRIBUNE has never IN any way urged
the denomination of President Harrison, cor
daily as it admres the man and approves his
course: for it has believed that the people
were abundantly able to Judge his Adminlstra-
ton fairly, and that the Republican party had
wisdom enough when the time should come TO
select the right candidate for the contest of
1892 1t is honorable to the President that no
fOrt has been made, To the knowledge OF The
TRIBUNE, to induce Republican journals TO
forestall the action of the convention, nor would
such an effort have seemed desirable to this
journal had it been suggested.
The whole world knows that this country
is more prosperous at home and more honorcd
abroad than it was when President Harrison
was elected. The Republican party Is more
united. more profoundly convinced of the just
ness Of its cause. and more powerful. The
great reverse which it met in 1890 has only
served to display more clearly than ever the
courage, fidelity and zeal Of Republicans aud
the radical and rrccOncablc division OF their
opponents No man can give "A reason why
Mr.. Cleveland who i by many considered the
strongest candidate the Democrats can nom
mate. has better chance Of success to-day
than he had four years ago. AT foreign courts
and at home much has been done TO demon
strate the wolthinoSS of the Republican party
for trust and its fitness for power. Whatever
the coming National Convention may decide.
the present Administration, its executive Off
GERS at home and its representatives abroad,
have done what they could to make it easier to
elect any Republican, because " he serves his
party best who serves his country best