New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-16

restraints and domestic affection, IL fell
TO Mr.. Reds lot to take leading part in
the popular campaign. He opened IL IN
Ohio and Illinois with noteworthy public
addresses. which were followed by nu-
merous speeches In Indiana, Massachu-
sets, New Jersey, New York and else
where. He was everywhere received with
much popular interest, and proved him
self an aggressive and effective cam
paigner The extraordinary political cat
aclysm OF that year was however, ire
sstibe, and the Republican ticket was
overwhelmingly defeated
AS in his first political campaign, in
1860. however, Mr. Reds strenuous eXer-
tons in 1892 were too much for his phys
ical health, excellent as were his general
constitution and his habits OF life. He
was accordingly compelled to spend much
time away from New York, especially In
the winter and early spring, when the
climate of this city is peculiarly trying to
certain classes of invalids. Thus, he
made protracted visits to the Orient, to
Egypt and the African deserts, TO Cali
fornia and to the arid but highly sani-
tary expanses of Arizona. The chief fac
tor in his restoration to health was
doubtless, however, his own unconquera-
BILE will. His physicians informed him
that his life was in serious danger. But
instead of yielding to apprehensions, as
man of less resolute spirit might have
done. he regarded that announcement as
a summons to resistance and to agSres-
sion against the enemy. He had no fancy
for being coddled as a valetudinarian,
but determined to get well, so as not only
TO pro!ong his life, but also to resume a
full measure of the activities of his prime
OF life; and that determination was hap
PLY fulfilled.
On Special Missions.
A few years later he was at his desk
again at the head Of The Tribune. attend
ing with all his former vigor to the con-
stantly increasing duties of that place.
He powerfully contributed to the over
whelming return Of the Republican party
to power in the election OF President M
Kinley and the overthrow of the Popu-
lstic free silver craze Of 1896. In the
following year he was appointed to be the
Special Ambassador Of the United States
at the Diamond Jubilee Of queen Victoria.
The next winter and sprins, during the
trouOlous negotiations over Cuba, and
then in the ensuing war with Spain, ne
made The Tribune an Indispensable ally
Of the national administration. 1t was
natural and appropriate, therefore that
at the close OF that war he was appointed
by President Mckinley to be one Of the
five American commissioners VINO, pitted
against i've of the most distinguished
and most resolute Spanish statesmen,
we're to negotiate at Paris a treaty of
peace. or that important work, which
occupied many weeks and was concluded
only at Christmas time. 1898, Mr.. Reid
performed noteworthy part. In fact, IN
that phase of il which was most Stub
bornly and at greatest length debated,
and which by common consent was most
controversial In character and has since
been most important in its results, his
will dominated his associates and the en-
tire joint commission.
That was the disposal Of the Philippine
Islands. Spain scarcely demurred at
promptly reiinquishing Cuba and Porto
Rico. But her loyal Spokesman, with a
full measure of Castillan pride and reso-
luton, utli out loub anu car AOi
her retention OF the highly priced Asian
archipelago. Nor had they at first TO con-
tend with a united American opposition.
OF Mr.. Reds four colleagues, two were
at first undisguisedly In favor Of return-
ing the islands to Spain, or, at any rate,
OF not taking them for the United States,
while the other two would have been quite
content with our taking a small part OF
them, perhaps only one island or even a
port or two. and relinquishng the rest
But Mr.. Reid was from the beginning
resolutely and aggressively committed TO
the policy OF taking them all for the
United States. as the unavoidable result
OF occurrences which had been forced
upon this country against its seeking or
desire. In the end he won all his col
leagues to that view.
Another special mission followed few
years later, I'm 1902, when Mr. Reid was
made by President Roosevelt his Special
Ambassador at the coronation OF King
Edward VII
Ambassador to Great Britain.