The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-29

responsibility he is afraid. Marcy can twist
him about is I'm err, and Guthrie is a strong
ally of Marcy ry sto g. The democratic
.party was sacrificed rather tn N give up
Guthrie; and so he must be strong WITH the Pre-
sident-very strong.
The whole issue, then, depends noon The re-
lative strength o. Marcy and Gutsr e for peace,
and Cushing and Davis for war. Dobbin, per-
haps, no ding the balance ofpower, may settle
the question. Can we rely upon Dobbin? 1t is
understood that he will recommend the in
crease and re-organ' "a i Il he navy, which
looks favorable to the eagle Of S0ule and the
refugees. Peace or war witt France aid S pain
may depend upoa Dobbl'. We may, at all
events, count with some confid ence upon . rup-
ture with the Dotch. Mr.. Piatt has doubtless
brought over the ult mAtum If Belmont in the
Gibson case--as case which can only be settled
by war. But upon the main issue of the po-
Icy Of the message upon The uba question we
are sorely perplexed. Most likely our accom-
modating President will split the difference,
make out case of war, and throw the entire
responsibility upon Cong els, including dis
cretionary fund of ten or fif cen millions for
the diplomatic contingencies Of Soule.
Between Soule at Madrid and the Cabinet at
Washington he scale inclines in favor OF war.
We ava with equal anxiety the action Of
Soule and the policy Of the message. The
peace of the civilized world still at peace, may
depend upon the casting vote Of Dobbin. Can
we rely upon Dobbin? We fear not. A few
days will settle the policy of the administration
for peace or war, and the destinies of this coun-
try and of civilization, for the next fifty years
message?
FoRNEY DEvELoPNG.-There is much talk in
political circles about the astounding breach of
confidence committed by Mr.. Foroey, the editor
of the Union and Clerk of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, in giving publicity to The private let
ter written to him by Mr.. Buchanan The latter,
it will be remembereJ, complained bitterly OF the
incapacity Of his Secretary, Mr.. Sickles, add
ing that his squabble with the banker Peabody
was excessively annoying and that he was even
unable to write legible hand. Mr.. Buchanan
had obviously written thus in strict confidence
to Mr.. Forney; we can well picture what his
establishment will be when he finds that the
recipient of his letter behaved with so little
delicacy or discretion thai the telegraphic re-
porters for the press were enabled to send its
contents over the wires to all parts Of the
country. as,s
The improperly Of Mr.. Forney's conduct is
rendered more glazing in this instance by the
obligations formerly conferred upon him by
both the gentlemen he has injured. 1t was NJ.
Buchanan who first took him by the hand when
he was poor country editor in some little
Pennsylvania town, dining off potatoe and
rasher Of bacon, and looking forward to
postmastership as the highest aim Of his am
bition. Mr.. Buchanan took him to Philadel-
phia, bought the Pennsylvania for him, and
set him up in life: all that Forney has since
become he owes to Mr.. Buchanan He repays
his benefactor by showing his private letters to
every one he meets, till their contents become q
matter Of public notoriety, and are telegraphed
Ivy The public reporters as general news.
Nor did Mr.. Sckles stand in the light of a
stranger to Mr.. Forney. When the latter ma lie
foolish speech in Tammapy Hall, and was
forced to rctract what he had said Mr.. Sicklos
braved the storm for him, and came out boldly
in his defence 1t was Mr.. Sickles who secured
tor FOrney majority of the House Of Repre-
sentatives when he became candidate for the
cleTkship. Without Me-. Sickles' aid, Forney
would not have succeeded: his character was
too well known: sense of shame would have
prevented his election, had not Mr.. Sickles used
all his personal influence to secure his triumph
In return for these services, Mr.. Forney deals
fatal blow at the character of Mr.. Sickles, by
publishing Mr.. Buchanan's unfavorable opinion
Of his Secretary. He endeavors to m Ike 1t
known far and wide that the latter has con-
Quoted himself with such gross improperly
as to become source of great discomfort to
the Minister, and that he is, in the opinion Of
his immediate superior, utterly unit for tie
rank he holds. Nt t
These things show that the author Of the
"Forney letter to Roberts" is still what he
was. We stated, over AMI over again, that q
man who could propose to his friend to decoy
an unsuspecting outh to drink, and under the
influence Of liquor to extort from him confess
sions involving the honor Of a woman, could
never under any circumstances prove reliable
friend or respectable public officer. Events
have amply justified our apprehensions AL.
most on the very first occasion ON which an
opportunity is offered, Forncy betrays the con
idence reposed in him in such way as to in.
volve his early benefactor in unpleasant quar-
rels, and ruin the character Of one Of his
staunchest friends. He has one virtuc-con.
sistency.