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


newspaper In Xenia, Ohio, his native
Rtown, Whitelaw Reid found the leading
kinterest of his life in public affairs
hFrom that first venture, down to the
Eday Of his death at the post Of duty
Has Ambassador to England, the leading
Hactivities in his life were dedicated to
Epublic service. The full record of those
Hong and well filed years is set down
Elsewhere in The Tribune to-day. IL
a testifies to the breadth Of his character
4 to the range of his gifts. He was reso-
Elute and skilled in the fortnight give
Eand take of politics. In the more dell
Ecate art of diplomacy he was equally
RsteadfaSt and resOurceful. To the prac'
Rtice of journalism. with its incessah'
1preSsure of haste, of issues rising as the
ehours fly and requiring in the editor
Mas swift a habit of mind. he brought
Eboth the practical readiness OF his pro
Efession and the scholarly traits Of the
oman of letters. Whitelaw Reid was. III
z fact, a many-sided man, in whom
adverse qualities were Supremacy wen
Unbalanced. But what cO-Ordinated his
kpowerS and made their exercise etfec-
etive was a central spring of sane, clear
hsighted devoted patriotism. He was
Zone of those publicists and statesmen
kwhose labors have been governed by
kSolicitude for the welfare Of their
Ecountry.
b During his absence from the United
Estates on diplomatic missions his de
Enactment from the editorial manage
sment of The Tribune was complete.
hFrom the moment that he accepted
EPresident Rooseyelt's offer Of the En-
CLASSY to Great Britain in 1905 he left
Athis newspaper absolutely in other
Hhands. But that would be an imperfect
Eribute to pay TO Whitelaw Reid In
nthis place which failed to recognize the
Econstant influence of the tradition
(which for forty years it was his pride
VITO preserve in these columns. He was
IA great journalist, great by virtue OF
Ethat faculty for public affairs to which
Preference has already been made, and
bbecause, while he understood the needs
Eand responsibilities of a newspaper, he
Hknew also how to lead. A dozen years
Aago. when he sat for his portrait at
1.-THE request of the staff, he found In the
Eepisode occasion to speak, with his
kwOnted appreciation of the work OF
HOtherS, about what had been done ito
E"make this paper what it is, what it
4 has been for many years and what
H"hOpe it will be through the century
a"that is Just upon uS-One Of the great
E"est controlling influences for good
Fertilization and a good life which the
A'preSs of America can produce His
shearerS knew. as the readers of The
aTribune well know, that 'to make this
Apaper what it is needed the inspiration
Eof Whitelaw Reid.
We make no apology for speaking
shere of the relations that existed be-
Rtween the men Of The Tribune and the
& friend who was for so many years their
Echief. Through those years he showed
kthem, in action, the ideals of the true
Eiournalist Man Of affairs as he was.
khe was also a man of books, disinter-
Tested lover Of letters, and through all
hhis dealings with the press there ran
3the strong prediction of man of
ataste for what is right and fine. He
ahad studied the Latin classics, and
staught them, in his youth. Ever after
bward they were his solace, as were the
Emasters of English literature. TO one
discussing with him some topic or duty
HOf the moment, intensely modern IN all
Ets aspects, It was refreshing to have
Hthe subject suddenly Illuminated by an
fallusiOn full of the quiet wisdom OF
4 the study. Nor did this far-reaching.
4 steadying operation of his mind stop
Hat books He had got his experience
\ at first hand; life more even than liter
4 allure, had enriched and strengthened
his judgment Men and events, the es-
I sential stuff Of history, made, indeed.
the essential stuff of his conversation.
and in his vivid. pithy comments on
\ these subjects. past or present there
nj udSutu a lhttiiCNihoi ibh'-
His estimates were sympathetic and
b they were sound. He was generous
and he was just.
3 In that last saying we touch upon the
Z traits Of the man as well as upon those
4 Of the publicist, and indicate, perhaps
bmore significantly than would be posi-
Hble in any other words, the ties which
Eonly his death could sever. Whitelaw
pReid was a man of many kindnesses. a
9man whom TO know was to regard with
HemOtions more affectionate and loyal
& than can here be expressed. 1t Is pos
Nsibly only the seasoned writing man
zwho can fully appraise the encourage
ament and freedom which he gave to his
Sstaff. When a piece of work was to be
done, all that he asked In the worker
was competence and good faith. With
those qualities once assured, he dis
Edained to harness the mind Of another.
Hin journalism, he held. what was
bwanted was the truth and q free play
Bof ideas. These things, we repeat, were
learned peculiarly under his profess
Hsional leadership. But to thousands of
Hothers he showed the frank good will
(which was the secret Of his power as
on oditor The stanch Amarica nism