Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-11-30
Forney Developing.

There is much talk in political circles about the
astounding breach Of confidence committed by
Mr.. Forney, the editor of the Union and Clerk
of the House Of Representatives, In giving pub
licity to the private letter written to him by
Mr. Buchanan The latter, it win be remembered,
complained bitterly of the ncapacity of his secre
tary Mr. Sckles, adding that his squabble with the
banker Peabody was excessively annoying, and that
he was even unable to write legibe hand. Mr..
Buchanan had obviously written thus in strict con-
idence to Mr.. Forney. We can well picture what
his establishment viii be when he finds that the re-
cipient of his letter behaved with little delicacy
discretion that the telegaphic reporters for tho
press were enabled to send its contents over the
wires to all parts of the country.
The improperly of Mr. Fornsys conduct is rem
dered more glazing in this instance by the obliga-
tons formerly conferred upon him by both the gen.
temen he has injured. 1t was Mr.. Buchanan who
first took him by the hand when he was poor
country editor in some little Pennsylvania town,
dining of potato and rasher of bacon, and
looking forward to postmastership as the highest
aim of his ambition. Mr.. Buchanan took him 10
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 matter
of public notoriety, and are autographed by tho
public reporters general news.
Nor did Mr.. Sickles stand IN the light OF a
stranger to Mr. Forney. When the latter made a
foolish speech in Tammany Hall, and was forced to
retract what he had said, Mr.. Sickles brayed the
storm for him, and came out bsldly in his defence.
1t was Mr.. Sickles who secured for Forney a ma
jority of the House OF Representatives when he
became candidate for the clerkship. Without
Mr. Sickles's aid, Forney would not have succeed
ed. His character was too well known. A 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 unfa-
vorable opinion Of his secretary. He endeavors TO
make 1t known far and wide that the latter has
conducted himself with such gross improperly as
to become source Of great discomfort to the min
lister, and that he is, in the opinion of his mmed-
ate superior, utterly unfit for the rank he holds.
These things show that the author of the I" For
ney letter TO Roberts" Is still what he was We
stated, over and over again, that man who could
propose to his friend to decoy an transporting
youth TO drink and under the influence of liquor
TO extort from him confessions involving the honor
Of a woman, could never under any circumstances
prove reliable friend or a respectable public OIL
GER. Events have amply justified our apprchen-
sions. Almost on the very first occasion on which
an opportunity is offered, Forney bctrnys the con-
fdence reposed in him in such way as to involve
his early benefactor In unpleasant quarrcls and
ruin the character Of one of his staunchest friends
He has one virtue-consistcncy.- y. Herald.