Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-09
Harlraster fllteIIiQet1rer.
FRIDAY EVENING, DEC. 9, 1881.
FOrney's Character and Career.

Uc uCWS VI tuc UcdIu VI JONu w Il VI.
ney will be sadly heard by very many
people in this place of his nativity and
scene of the successful labOrs Of his early
manhood, where his genial character
made his acquaintances his friends, and
his intelligent activity drew upon him
the eyes and gained him the respect of
the whole community. He was re-
markable character, endowed with a
that took him close to the doors
Of the highest station, but yet dropped
him short of the entrance. The arrow
sped from a stout bow, but yet not so
stout as to carry it to the fairly-aimed-at
mark. Col. Forney was politician of
a high order, but not a statesman of the
highest. Making state-craft the business
oe his life, he lacked the independence
and steadfastness to principle that would
have made successful the force with
which his aim was followed.
1t cannot he said of him, as it can be
OF most men, that he did not use all the
talents with which he was endowed by
nature. lie occupied the very front rank
in public observation that he could
reach. He was restrained by no slug
gisAness of disposition or difiidence of
character from pressing as far forward
as he could get. His industry was great,
and his ability to graciously encounter
his fellow men was unsurpassed. 1t may
be assumed that he accomplished in his
life all that his mental strength enabled
him to, barring the lack of luck which
may have forbidden him opportunities
of greater prominence, if not of
greater distinction. Almost he was a
United States senator but it is not GER
tain that he would have Illuminated the
position, although it is beyond question
that he wasa vastly superior man to the
most of those who fill it.
There is no doubt at all that Col. For
ney was man of brains and great
talents, although we may not claim for
him the highest order of mind. He
arose from Obscurity to great prominence,
and honestly earned great deal of
money while attracting great deal
also, of public applause; faculty which
is notably rare among our public men.
And yet probably it was this matter of
money that was the greatest drag upon
his aspiration after fame for, freely as
he made, he yet more freely spent, and
was seldom clear from pressing neces,
sity to supply the material wants Of his
extravagant disposition. Independence
is a difficult, il not impossible,
thing to such character. If Col
Forney had been born millionaire
he would have been still the same
ardent, industrious. warmhearted
man, with the ability to indulge the
natural promptings of his honest nature.
And, at least while his fortune endured
the country would have had in him d
jealous servant without fear or reproach
Indeed we do not know any man who
could have been literally pensioncd upon
the country for his life with greater
profit to it than John w. Forney. lie
would have done it the good service o.
which lie was capable, with ardor ant
singlenesS of. heart. lie was exceed
ingly ambitious of fame and singularl,
unmoved by Lase considerations. Th'
warm friendship felt for him by so many
men attests the number of delightful
traits in his character and if we admi
that he had weaknesses too, we cnl!
admit his humanity.
A great change was given to his life b,
his difference with Mr.. Buchanan, o
whom, having been the warmest frient
and advocate, he became one of the bit
terest foes. The break in the relation
of the two men necessarily followed Mr.
Buchanan elevation to power, because @
the marked difference in the genercsit,
of their characters. Forney was full o
it., Buchanan had none to speak Of
Forney was the prime agent iI securin.
Buchanan nomination. and it neve
occurred to him that his successful
efforts would not he magniticently &C
knOwiedged. Not that he worked for hi
friend mainly for the reward. His en-
thuSiaSm was grounded upon his respec
for his talents and the cordial friend
ship which the great man showed him
But when the president turned coldl
away from him, after lie attained tn
place which his humber instrument La
done so much to secure for him, Col
Forney's feeling were Of course out
ragged, his sensibilities wounded, his sell
love bruised, and his veneration for MI
Buchanan turned into hatred by hi
great insratitude. Mr.. Buchanan
doubtless did not consider himself un
grateful. lie thought that he had don
much for Forney in writing him a,
unwise letter intended to secure for hin
the senatorship from Pennsylvania
He refused to feel any obligation restin;
upon him. 1t was not his nature to. II
could not cling to his friends, and his en-
trance into the presidency severed his
relations with most of them. 1t wa
not to their discredit, if they though
they We're badly used. The scriptura
rule to turn the unsmittcn chcel
also to the smiter is not an &C
cepted one in our lives. Col. Forne,
went out from his friendship Will
Mr.. Buchanan supported by the sym
pathv Of host Of friends who made q;
once successful the newspaper to whicl
that rupture gave rise. 1t was Il fortu
nate thing for Col. FOrney that he 60