The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-10

ing disgrace.
The Sublime Of Political Ingratituae.
II this were an epoch which justified people
In indulgng in moral reflections and philo-
sophical deductions, we might enter upon re-
view Of the whole subject of the ingratitude Of
politicians, who are, like corporations, utterly
soulless. But we live in troublous times and,
like MIR. Gradgrind, must be contented with
hard facts. And Of this special fact, to wit:
the ingratitude of successful politicians, we
have a notable example in the result of the case
Of the illustrious Forney who, it is claimed,
carried Pennsylvania for Mr.. Buchanan, and
thereby elected him. Forney's editors and
friends generally declared that Mr.. Buchanan
had promised his protege that he should have
the free run of the kitchen and a fat share of
the federal spoils, but that the President was
persuaded by certain members of his Cabinet
to put Forney out in the cold, with only
consulate crust to comfort him. Thereupon the
President was accused Of black ingrattude, and
Forney became his bitterest opponent Now
his editors point to the recent developments
in the departments to show that there was still
greater depth of political ingratitude than
had been previously reached ny ANYBODY
They say that one Minister deseftrl hig post
leaving the treasury in hop cmbar.
raised condition; another ran away ii order
to avoid investigation into certain gigantic
frauds in his department, and a third leaves the
Cabinet almost directly after the discovery that
his confidential clerk has enbezzled nearly a
million dollars worth of government property.
SO Fo,ney says that after all The President has
done for these men, after parting for their sake
with one whom he loved as David loved Absa.
lon, they turn about and leave him, like VOL
sey, "naked to his enemies
If we may believe Forney-and Of course no
one will doubt for q moment the accuracy of
his statements-the President and himself pre-
sent two of the most remarkable examples of
the effects OF political ingratisude that the
world has ever seen. Through thick and thin
Mr.. Buchanan adhered to his chosen Ministers,
and the moment that they find the ahip of State
in trouble they, or their subordinates, realize
on the cargo and take to the boats
But these illustrious examples are not alone.
There is still another in the person of our friend,
Hon. Massa Greeley, who seems likely to realize
the proverb that a man who plants vineyard
does not always enjoy the produce thereof. A
long time ago, when the business was new, the
capital small and the returns precarious, the
celebrated political firm of Weed, Greeley,
Seward & Co. was set up. Greeley was un,
doubtedly the hardest working man in the con-
Germ. After while there was quarrel about
the division of the profits, and Greeley went
out of the firm. The separation was not an
amicable one, and the philosopher of Spruce
street went into it with all his might, battered
hat, old white coat and all, to build up the re-
publican party and throw obstacles in the way
of his old partners. Greeley planted the tree,
watered it with his tears and dgged about its
roots, until it fourished as the cedarsOf Leba-
non, and nearly two millions of voters sought its
shade.
At Chicago Greeley labored with all his
might 10 floor Seward; and he did it. He even
ton as delegate from Oregon-a State which
he never saw. The grand result of all Gree
ley's labors was the nomination of old Abe
Lincoln, the Spruce street candidate, and pre-
sumed to be sort of rail splitting Aristides,
the identical honest man for whom Dioge-
mes searched with his lantern. 1t would
appear, as matter Of course, that the rever-
sion Of the federal spoils belonged to Greeley;
but the facts show that the Seward CLIQUE will
rule the roast, that Greeley's old partners will
| reign in the parlor and kitchen of the White
House, and that Honest Old Abe has offered nm
the Tribune editor, even as Abraham of old
proposed 10 Stay the youthful Isaac, whom
Greeley, in the tenderness, innocence and pas
toral simplicity Of his character, very much
resembles Of course the Tribune clique lift
up their voices in lamentation, and Old Abe
is in as hot fire as that in which Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego were obliged to stand.
Whether he will come out of it as well as they
did remains to be seen. Hon. Massa Greeley
bears his woes with sort of sorrowful grandeur,
which reminds us of the old Greeks, who never
made fuss about anything practical, but
raved terribly concerning distractions which
| were Of no possible consequence. We tender
our sincere coincidence to the Hon. Massa
Greeley. We know something about politi-
clans, and therefore keep aloof from any con-
| nection with them; but we consider that Gree
ley's case is the very hardest on record. 1t is
| the realization, the sum, the infinite Of the
topmost point Of the sublime Of political in
gratitude.
FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IL Our NATIONAL
poLlrcs.-A report has obtained credcncc that
sundry ministers. plenipotentiaries, charges
d'afrairs, or others, at Washington, have de-
manded information from the Secretary of State