Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-12-14

tended notice than is conveyed in
the brief telegraphic notes which
embodied news as to his death and
particulars as to his funeral, and
we propose to contribute our need
of recognition to a man who, il
not great himself, had in his day
and generation a more intimate
conversance with the great than
almost any other public man Of
our times.
John w. Forney started out in
life, like go many other Of our great
men, at the "case." He did not
long linger in the minor walks of
the tart preservative of all arts"
While 1t may be doubted II any,
thing he has written will take en-
enduring rank In literature, he
early developed pronounced abil-
ity as Journalist. He soon
mounted the tripod of an influen-
tisl Lancaster paper, where he be-
came an earnest and upfisggiug
devotee of the political fortunes of
James Buchanan, who was his en-
thusIastic patron during the ear
Iier and struggling stages of his ca.
reer. His conspicuous ability,
both as writer and manager In
the Democratic councils, soon
caused his translation to Philadel-
phia, where he edited the Pennsyl-
voni0n. and soon made 1t power
In the land. His trenchent and
vigorous advocacy of Mr.. Buchan-
an was never intermitted until
that gentleman attained the White
House, the goal of his lifelong
ambition. Probably to no one man
more than to Col. Forney was Mr..
Buchanan indebted for the fruition
OF his hopes.
Shortly after Mr.. Buchanan's
elevation to the Presidency mis-
understanding arose between these
whilom friends which was never
bridged over. The circumstances
Of this alienation have never be-
come public in an authoritative
shape, but the writer is in possess
zion OF them from an unquestiona-
BILE source. Col. Forney desired to
become Postmaster-G General. Mr.. |
Buchanan, who had determined to |
take one member of bis Cabinet
from his own State, leaned to
Judge jeremiah 8. Black, whom
he made Attorney-Gen Col.
Forney did not conceal his chagrin
at his failure; and, although Mr..
Buchanan offered to make him
ConsuI to Liverpool, the most lu-
crative place in the gift of the gov
eminent, at home or abroad,
the appointment was declined.
The President was most
anxious TO heal the breach
between himself and his old friend;
and, when Col. Forney announced
bis desire to be elected United
States Senator from Pennsylvania,
the whole power of the administra-
ton was thrown in his favor. AL
though Col. Forney was the caucus
nominee of the Democratic party,
aud the Legislature was Democrat
ic by a small majority, Simon
Cameron, by the purchase of three
political Benedict Arnolds, If
such base wretches are entitled
even to that association, succeeded
In wrestling the prize from For
ney's grasp. Both of these men
began life as printers; but Gamer
on, having always had regard for
the main chance, was able to throw
his gold into the scale at the criti-
cal moment, az, on another coca
sion, Brennus threw his sword, aud
thus achieve an ignoble victory.
Towards the end of Mr.. Buchan-
ans administration the rupture be-
tween the old friends became fla
grant. Coincident WITH their es-
arrangement, Col. Forney founded
the Philadelphia Press, and began
an uncomprom:sing war on the
President. Shortly afterwards he
succeeded in being elected Sscre-
tary Of the United States Senate,
and his speech. breathing defiance
TO "the man at the other end of the
avenue" burnt down the bridges
between them forever. From that ;
time forward Col. Forney slowly !.
yravitated into the Republican
ranks. He established, in Wash
lngton City, the Chronicle; and, !.
hsnceforth, was known as the DOS. !.
Isssor Of two organs, both daily.u
he was thrown into warm and inti-
mate personal relations with Presi-
lent Lincoln and all the other
llustrious men of that epoch, as he /
1ad previously been with the DEM ]
cratic and Wing magnates of the 9
Id days. His final retirement
rom the 6ecretaryship of the
United States Senate was brought 6
bout by the endless enmity of ST. 6
nen Cameron, who discovered that 1
relative OF Forney's, in a minor h
'osition In the Senate, had embez- a
leo some money. Although the L
|o1hieatIon Was 1t once made good, X
)ol. fornsy's high-strung tsmpsrs in