New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-19
THE JOURNALIST.


have been so universally paid by the
American newspapers, while showing
clear understanding Of his eminence as
Diplomat, with striking unanlhll'S
find the chief significance Of his career
i'm his achievements as an American
publicist working mainly as the edltor
Of a newspaper in an era supposeulS
unfayOrable TO personal fame III Jou,
nalism Such a judgment, naturaIlS
proceeding from newspaper conteulpo-
raries primarily interested in American
affairs and not always able to see lHe
movements of international relations so
necessarily private that as senator
Root points out, the greatest services OF
an ambassador are often those on when
there Is never any public comment
bears witness to tile profound impress
sion that Whiteaw Reid had maze OH
the American people as a journalist
This impress was made without per
sonal exploitation or sensational mem
DDS. by the sheer power of sane 1ntei-
lectual leadership He never abah-
doned his faith in clean, wholesome
urbane journalism which appealed 10
reason, not to passion. He was, as mas
been Justly noted by others. one OF the
pioneers In the emancipation OF the
press from blind subservicncy 10 party
machinery. He made The Tribune In
its general course a Republican paper,
everywhere recognized as the leading
| exponent of Republican principles. That
was because he himself held those prln-
ciples. He believed in an efficient ma
tional government, in a liberal con
struction of constitutional powers. in
the sane use Of protective duties for
| the development Of the country, in the
maintenance of sound money sys-
fem against the attacks first of green
hackers and later Of free silver advo-
Gates. in the extension Of our sover-
eighty to Hawaii and afterward in an
un1inching discharge Of the duty
thrown upon us in the Philippines. Re
garding these policies as essential TO
national honor and welfare. he gave
all his powers TO make them prevail
through the success Of the party which
advocated them, often largely owing TO
his persuasion.
In that sense he made party news
paper But Whitelaw Reid was never
narrow party politician. From the
time when, with Horace Greeley, he
Joined the Liberal movement Of 1877
he maintained that freedom Of com
ment and leadership which made his
advocacy Of Republican principles all
the more effective. Republican NAL
administration IN the 7O'S and Repub-
lican postoffice scandals Of later day
we're exposed by him. He fought the
domination OF successive political ma
chimes over the affairs Of the party and
sturdily upheld the principle of nom
craftsmanship in municipal affairs when
the Republican organization was
aligned against it. He was an early
advocate Of civil service reform and Of
improved ballot and primary laws. II
would be difficult 10 find practical
and timely measure for the betterment
of political, social or industrial con-
ditions which The Tribune under his
inspiration did not powerfully promote.
Mr.. Reid never forgot that 1t was n
waste Of time 10 advocate cause which
was intrinsically impossible. He was
too sane to tilt at windmills and too
keen a Judge Of men and things to be
fooled by selfish and specious proposals
proclaiming themselves reforms. But
with a clear sighted judgment OF reali-
ties and a wise sense Of practical posi-
bilities he used his great influence for
liberal and enlightened party manage
ment, for clean politics, for honest gov
eminent, for more perfect justice, for
sturdy and self-poised Americanism.
strong to maintain its rights, but equal
ly scrupulous TO do the right and hold
it's honor sacred. That was the spirit
Of Whitelaw Reid as party leader and
moulder Of public opinion.
|