Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-03-25
Fornsy on Things at Washington.

John w. Forney, Of Pennsylvania, was
a great Buchanan man always-at Cincin-
nati-during the canvass-at the Inaugural
ton, and as late as the presentation Of the
Lecomptan Constitution. He is at Washing
ton, writing for his paper, the Philadelphia
Press. The following Is from one Of his
late letters:-
What difference between March, 1857,
and March, 1858! dwell upon it with
surprise and grief. One year ago the coun-
try was full OF content, and at peace with
itself. The hearts OF all our people beat re-
sponsively 10 noble Inaugural, and the
hands Of men Of all parties were uplifted to
support and 10 strengthen our venerable
President. The Democrats were united and
Joyous, and gazed hopefully into tranquil
and victorious future. The Republicans
were dismayed, and new political combina-
tions were abandoned before the prospect of
-awise and patriotic policy.
Mr.. Seward, in the Senate; Mr.. Stanton,
in the House; Mr.. Greeley, in the Tribune
. instead Of preparing new weapons of attack
upon the Administration, were turning their
thoughts &c those substantial questions upon
which all men agree in this happy country.
Even the Americans, few in number, could
see no profit in faction, and were quietly re-
considering their plans. The extreme
South, SO apt to chafe into passion, was as
calm as a summers's morning. Conserva-
tism, in lis very best sense. had iaden pos
session of the Government. An inexperi.
enced President, sure and sagacious
Cabinet, ready Senate, in session, and
still more willing House preparing for its
new term-these constituted the sterling
superstructure of al enduring condition Of
national prosperity.
And what change has one year pro-
ducedl I can hardly believe my senses that
I am writing from the capital of nay country,
and that my old friend-he, to whom have
borne almost flisi relations from my boy
hood-he, 10 whom have confided my few
hopes and fears-he, Tor whom dared the
frewns Of foes, and fer whom, during four
long years in the Lower House of Congress
the patronage in my gift was fearlessly be-
stswed, and he knows how gladly and how
spontaneously, too; can hardly believe my
senses, that this is the city Of Washington,
and that James Bnchaasn is President.
What is the aspect now? One wide
Reign Of Terror. A test is erected here,
like some horrible instrument Of torture,
upon which Democrats are tried and ex-
ccuted for their opinions. The work of de-
capltation has ceased against lifetime foes,
and is now waged upon old and cherished
friends. Men are removed and calumniat.
ed, not for being opposed to Democratic
principles, but for being too much in favor
Of them. Tbs humblest clerk, with his lit
tie family, who struggles along on his thous :
and dollars year, must hide his sentiments
or leave his place. For the bold and upright
Democrat, whs dares to think aloud, there
is short shrift. Ifhe has an Office he must be
ready for the ominous cartel Of dismissal on
the instant. 1.-The is an independent citizen,
he is excluded from the Departments and
from the White House. like common leper
An army of spies are on the alert, hunt
ing for victims. Wo to the upguarded
gentlemaEl. who, in the presence of one of
these eacer eavesdropFers, may let fall q
free epinioni 1t is at once caught up and
carried, with no lack of exaggeration, TO the
ear of power. If there is on this round
globe a race more despised in civilized
society than any other, it is the race of in
formers. The noblest invective of the no.
blest Of Irish orators has made them i'm
mortally infamous. These mercenaries bow
hold high service in Washington. could.
name several Of them from our own State,
but forbesr for the honor Of Pennsylvania.
They glory in their shameless trade
Broken in fortune, reckless Of their own
fame, laughing at conscience in others and
rejecting it for themselves, they swarm here
anxious 10 earn their guilty wages. The
most of these creatures, happily, are the
2 men who have pursued and prosecuted the
President with the same venom which they
now display to wards those who differ from
his Kansas policy.
81 II is their vocation 10 make public opinion
here against the intrepid sentiment of the
people; 10 bully in the hotels, TO infest the
rooms Of members, 10 'spump" the new ar
rivals, to coax the doubtful, TO iRtimidste the
weak, TO supply false motives for honest
differences, 10 fill the town with rumors of
detection among the friends Of the Right,
10 fa!ter POWER, and TO applaud to the echo
everything that falls from the lips Of great
ness. "Sir," said wise and coed man 10
me on one occasion, several years ago, SHE
President rarely hears hstruah. He is sur
rounded with sycophants, who say only
what pleases him." How often this pro-
found truth is illustrated! II is said that
Frederick the Great-I think that Lord
= Brougham's short sketch Of him contains the
statement-would sometimes demand Of his
ministers TO talk 10 him boldly; and when
they did he would lose his temper and beat
S them for their candor. There are many
good, brave men in Washington to-day who
would give their worst Of thoughts the
worst Of words, If they had the chance.
But 5he eye Of greatness has no welcome
the ear Of greatness no hearing -for such
men. II they attempt to speak out, they,
are turned away or leit standing "alone in
their glory"