The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-24


Mr.. FoRNEY AND THE CLERKsHIp-Letters
from Washington positively state that Mr.. For
ney will obtain the post of Clerk of the House
of Representatives. We cannot believe it, nor
shall we cease to proclaim that both this rumor
and that which imputes to the President habits
of intimacy with Forney, are vile fabrications.
until the fact of his installation proves that we
are in the wrong.
We are not personally opposed to Mr.. For
ney. We believe that he is an amiable man in
private life, enjoying moderate share of good
will from his fellows. We are given to under
stand that he is well fitted to discharge the
duties Of Clerk, aud have no reason to donbt
the fact. But there ere in this matter higher con-
siderations than thoughts of private amiabilty,
or even capacity for public station, The honor
OF the American people is entitled to be con
sidered in all the acts Of government 1t should,
in fact, outweigh every other consideration;
and where it stands alone opposed to the claims
Of official experience, private amiability,
convivial turn Of mind and other social re-
concentrations, those who truly love their
country~should not hesitate an instant in obey
ing its dictates This doctrine is not the less
true because it has been Of late years disre-
gardedbotb st;Nasbington and in other parts
of the couSA General Pierce is not exone-
rated from the obligations it imposes, because
men who have been convicted Of grievous
offences against morality and honor have still
continued to maintain a certain position in po-
litical society. On the connasy, the very fact
that the moral tone Of political circles has de-
generated, imperatfvely re1d&aes some ener-
getc action on his part to restore our national
character its former standing The disregard
paid to the moral principle by the political lead
ers at Washington. is fast breeding general
contempt for our government among respect
able men. Should it continue to prevail,
politicians must expect to be excluded from the
society Of men Of honor; and, whatever talent
they may possess, they must look forward
boldly to be summed, as individuals en-
gagged in disreputable calling. Nor is the
knowledge Of the disgrace confined to our own
country. Foreigners as well as Americans are
eye-witnesses Of the indifference with which
moral turpitude is regarded in our political cir
cles, and soon learn to consider the trait as
national characteristic. They do not distin-
guish between the cliques who monopolise news
papers and public Offices, and the great mass OF
citizens who take no part in politics and Sec
ing that in the former the most disgraceful con-
duct involves neither moral reprobation nor.
material injury, they conclude. naturally
enough, that there is a general laxiIy OF prin-
ciple and Indifference right and wrong among
the people at large. This inference is rapidly
gaining ground abroad. a stain is being fast
ened on our character as one OF the great
family Of nations, and il means are not taken TO
correct the Impressions OF past errors, it will be
indelibly fixed upon rs for all time.
We know of nothing that would be more
likely to strengthen the unfavorable opinion
we have mentioned than Dir Forney's appoint
ment as Clerk. The President cannot be un-
aware Of his antecedents. lie cannot but
know-what everybody else knows-that this
man Forney tried to ruin q lady's character,
by endeayoriug to suborn third party to
extort from an actor an admission while
in liquor, that he had been her paramour--
that he did this for another man--and that
the way in which he did it will leave strong
impression on most peoples minds that he
did not undertake the vile task from motives
Of disinterested friendship Lest these matters
should have escaped the Presidents memory,
We again republisb an extract from Mr.. For
neys letter to George Roberts, which was put
in as evidence On the Forrest trial.
On this evidence with the other eoadrmatory proofs,
q
divorce but you now In position 10 him in
manntr Mnoer uiu forget The person who wrote to Mrs.
r., and in who're company she was det.c ed, is George
Jsmi,fon, playing at New Orleans. If you don't
know him. you can, the editor Of leading daily paper
make his acquaintance What Forrest desires
to- nch the nail, s 10 oG1 in sops way an admission y