The Washington union., 1858-03-18

SELF his gallant Major, and all their followers emphat
ically hors de combat
| FRIGHTFUL NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. THE
REIGN OF TERROR.
Everybody that has read the graphic account of
tho burning of the hotel and the rescue of the la
dies, in nghtcaps and gowns froh the second story
window will remember well the alarm and conscr-
nation Of that faithful and virtuous young mission
airy, Humphrey Cinker, who with his heel upon the
foot of the ladder and up-stretched arms, received
the fair damses in their rapid escape from the
flames. 1t is evon recorded that the good Clinker,
mantled all ovet with Bushes and anxious Of course
10 get away not the less remained faithful to his
post and never closed his eyes, even in wink till
the last of the maidens had been landed in safety.
Till the publication of Col. Forneys letter in the
Press the other day on his arrival in this city, we
have heen nothing to equal Clnker's feelings and
embarrassments on the occasion referred to. The
cases to be sure widely different, but that is
nothing. Col. Forney fotnd the federal metropolis
full Of spies terror, blood, and martyrs. We can
imagine how Mortified he must have been. How
like Ciinker, he was fearfully distressed--how he
lodged about, squirting over his right shoulder and
then over his left how he closed and locked his
doors, lowered his tremulouB tbte lebt sonic
ugly consptator should recognise him as patriot
and freeman ! 1t was the Reign of Terror in
all its frightful reality The steam guillotne
was doing its bloody work-the hounds were on
the scent-the victims for tomorrow were mark.
ed with the red chalk Of the executioner Worst
Of almost shocking and heartrcnding of all--ths
fearful carnage amongst Colonel Forney's best,
and the Presidents best, most ilial and only true
friends lti easy to that Colonel Forney's stay
in the city was not unnecessarily prolonged. Like
the virtuous Clinker, he glad to get away. His
business was to save Mr. Buchanan, and to that end
he became the author Of letter which exceeds any
thing we recollect to have seen in the renowned ad-
ventures Of Don Quixotte the Arabian tales. Being
disposed to spice up the Union with little light lit
erature, we cannot do better than to copy a para
graph or two from Col. Forney's manifesto:
''And what change has year produced can
hardly believe my senses that writing from the
capital of my country, and that my old friendhe to
whom have borne almost flia relations from my boy
hood-he to whom have confded my few hopes and
earshe for whom dared the frowns of foes and for
gress the patronage in my gift earessly bestowed
and he knows how gladly and how spontaneously too
can hardly believe my senses that this is the city of
Washington and that James Buchanan is President
" What is the aspect now ? One wide reign of terror
test is erected here like horid instrument Of tor
ture upon which democrats tried and executed for
their opinions The work Of decapitation has ceased
against life time foes and is wageA upon old and
cherished friends Men removed and illuminated not
for being opposed to democratic principles but for being
too much in favor Of them The humblest clerk with
his little family, who struggles along his thousand
dollars year must hide his sentiments or leave his
For the bold and yho 70
think aloud there is short shrift If he has Office he
must be ready for the omnous cartel of dismissal the
instant II he an independent citizen he is excluded
from the departments and from the White House like
common leper. An army Of spies the alert hunt
ing for victims. Wo to the unguarded gentleman who
in the of of these eager may
let fall free opinion 1t is at caught up and
carried, with lack of exaggeration to the ear of
power
Then Col. Forney gives an interesting biography
of somebody in Western Pennsylvania tells how
he was doomed for telling the truth ! Col Forney
proceeds to render several specimens of the writings
of the doomed man, and amongst others how "the
great and glorious democracy would have maintain
ed it's consistency and stood upon the pillars Of fed
erdl truth and justice if they had only gone against
the President the cabinet both houses Of Congress
in fact against themselves. Pillars not the best
places for large party to stand on; but we have
right to interfere in such matters. We must come
to close, depriving our readers of some very
choice matter, by reprntng Col. Forneys concu-
sion Speaking of those who, he declares, consti-
tute the democratic party, he feelingy and hopeful
ly says:
heard Of the most gifted of these gallant fe
lows say last night, Would it not be proud satisfaction
If I'VE few, we happy few, band Of brothers, could
Mr. Buchanan and the party from this great caam
ityT"
We have only to say that Col. Fomey's "happy
few, his "band of brothers, not sufficiently nu
merous to save Mr. Buchanan if that gentleman is
really in any trouble
GENERAL HARVEY CoLoSEL SUMNER. In publishing
the decision of the in the Hary and Sumner
case, it well to state the origin Of the subject matter
which is not explained in the order
Colonel Summer part Of the "Sioux Expedition
commanded by General Harney. and ~ wa- alleged by
the latter officer instead of marching his regiment AZ he
ordered to Fort Laramie he marched it to Fort Ieay
cnworth thus weakening the expedition by withdrawing
from it between four and five hundred fresh cavalry
troops
For this matter, General Hamey filed charges against
him The War Department however did not order trial
of them by court martial This fact Colonel Sumner az
we understand the case mentioned to the court martial
At Fort Leavcnworth evidence OF General Harneys
ali