The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-12-14
pseth 81 ! Great Journaliet.

illness, aged sixty-four years. Few mel
have won greater distinction in theil
chosen walk of life. He was in earl.
: youth apprenticed to the printing busl
ness, and in 1887 became editor ane
joint proprietor of the Lancaster Intel
ligencer. In 1915 he became editor o
the Pennsylvania, leading paper II
the Democratic party of his State
From 1851 to 1855 he was Clerk of the
House of Representatives at Washing.
ton. In 1854 he relinquished his con
nection with the Pennsylvania, and
became editor of the Union, the Dem
oeratic organ at Washington, and it was
mainly by his efforts that Mr.. Buchan
f an was nominated for President in 1856
; In 1857 he was the Democratic caucu;
nominee for the United States Senate
from Pennsylvania. The Democrats
had but two majority in the Legislature.
Simon Cameron, with his money, bought
up two members and thus Col. Forney
was defeated. After Mr.. Buchanan's
election, it was understood that Col.
Forney's long and efficient support OF
him, superadded to his surprising abili-
! ty, would secure for him place in the
cabinet, but to the surprise of every
one, he was rendered consulate, which
was declined. M Duchanar r-s5vDt
recovered from the effect of his ingrat.
itude to the friend who had been faith
full to him in all his trials. 1t was
regarded by his party as proof of an
inhrmity of his nature which shook
public confidence in him, and was after,
wards more signally displayed in great
public emergency. Col. Forney no
doubt felt the slight, though he main
tanned his party fealty until the cul-
mination of the trouble between the
two sections Meantime, he established
the Philadelphia Press, and was elected
Secretary of the u. S. Senate. Joining
the Douglas wing of the Democratic
party, in 1860, he drifted into the
Republican party, and issued the Wash
ington Chronicle which became the
organ of the Lincoln administration,
and powerful factor it was in arousing
the North and concentrating the opinion
of that section in favor of the war; At
its close, he was quick to discover the
availability of Gen. Grant (who was
supposed to have democratic proclivi-
ties) to the Republican party, and has
tened to appropriate his military prestige
to its use as its candidate for the Presi-
dency. Grant, under the inspiration
of Forney, became willing instrument
in the hands of the Republican leaders
and was borne into the Presidency in a
whirlwind of Northern enthusiastically
Southern States not being permitted to
vote in the election. During the Grant
regime he sold the Chronicle, but con-
tinued his connection with the Press,
and journeyed in Europe whence he
wrote series of charming and instruc-
tive letters to that paper which have
been since published in book On
his return, he disposed of the Press.
This was the mistake of his life. The
Press was powerful ready-made lever
in moving and controlling public senti-
ment. He next entered upon his latest
newspaper venture, the Progress,
brilliant Weekly which has been a.
regular visitor to our table. The last
number dated the 10th, lies before us,
and like its predecessors, is redolent of
the vigor and brilliancy of the genius
which has gone out in the darkness of
death.
Col. Forney was more than a journal
ist. He was an orator, a diplomat, a
politician, and a scholar. 1t should be
mentioned that when Gen. Hancock was
nominated for the Presidency he return
ed to his early love for democratic princi-
pies, and became an ardent and power
full champion of his election.
In many respects he was model for
the profession in which he earned his
fame. If there had been school of
journalism, he would have suited admit
rably for professor of the science.
Years of hard work ON the tread-wheel
of his profession, did not impair the en-.
thusiasm of his nature. He was always
fresh, bright and piquant but never
coarse, nor abusive. Such was the
charm of his style that his long articles
did not weary his readers, but he knew
how TO condense and to express his
arguments in brief para
graphs. Like many other newspaper
men he derogated from his profession by
giving TO self-see kers service that belong
ed to the public and to principle
and expended his time and talents
sIagafinS gf3tls as grinders wheel
Blounting himself to sharpen others steel. y q
A few days before his last brief i'll l
ness, he remarked to a friend, 81 feel as I
though I had twenty years of life before c
me-" Within week his engagements Il
o lecture were all cancelled. His ac- c
i've pen was laid aside forever What t
lesson does his death teach of the
of mortality
-&1~s-p
The we'll posted editor of the Aber- il
leen Examiner says that under the r
ensus no apportionment bill can be n
rawn that viii prevent Mississippi S
rom gaining one member of Congress. Fl
t would seem, then, that the Legisla- Z
ure could With propriety re-district the t.
tate on the basis Of seven members. O
t might be better to risk the chances +,
f such measure, than to hazard the
election IF a member nIactod hv fha