Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-09

party Wueu u0 SOUNDED the famous 'dalG
in . double leade6 editorial, evoked by the
treatment which Sumner suffered from
the Grant administration. He was tender
ed and, after declining, finally was pre-
vailed upon to accept, the collectorship of
the port Of Philadelphia and, though he
proved a good officer, his fiends generally
deprecated his departure from the path of
journalism. He resigned it and
aided the bolt against Hartranft in 1872
with his voice and pen. For this the Press
was fercely assailed by the Cameron
faction and every effort was made
to break it down financial en-
no doubt caused him
to retire from its editorial manage
ment about 1874, and he went abroad as
agent for the Centennial exposition, which
scheme he eloquently promoted in Eng
land and on the continent, employing his
leisure with letters to the Press, and with
the production Of further " "reminiscences
of Public Men," in which he delighted,
and for which his wide acquaintance gave
him almost unequaleG opportunities. Re
turning, he occupied prominent place in
that celebration, and has been ever since
leading figure in the social and journal
istic life of Philadelphia. Some years ago
he established Progress, as society and
critical journal, and made it model of
beauty and genial writing
of the class to which it was devoted.
But it has been only indifferently
and it is no secret that it's sue
CESS never quite justified the hopes Of its
publisher. In 1880 Col. Forney espoused
the cause of Gen. Hancock's election with
great earnestness, and wrote a complete
campaign biog' Apply Of the Democratic
candidate he spoke at many places in
support of his election, aud was in great
demand as stump speaker. He was great.
]y disappointed in the result Of the
campaign, aud since then his paper has
been ardently Democratic, bitterly op-
posed to the aggressive entertainments of
the Pluto ;racy'' on the rights and liber-
ties of the people, and devoted to the res
toration of good feeling toward the South,
and the building up Of its material inter-
ests.
One of the most notable features of Col.
FOrney's whole life and character was his
unfaltering devotion to and grateful mem.
ory Of his early home and associations.
He never forgot Lancaster nor its people,
and all his effusiveness and the warmth of
his nature were called ont BY recolIections
of this city aud county. To tho mother
and sister left here no was always
and under all circumstances dutiful in
every obligation, generous and noble
hearted. In all the vicissitudes Of his
political career he tried to maintain un.
changed relations with his Lancaster
friends Of every creed and party. He
spoke in this city in 1866, for the new con.
stitution in 1878, he has lectured here re.
peatedly and in 1880 he made political
speeches in Fulton hall, this city, al
Mountville, Quarryyille and New Holland
He made these and many other visits tc
Lancaster, the occasion of renewing anG
reviving his acquaintances and nothing
had greater interest for him, albeit tinged
with melancholy, than to see from time tc
time how his generation were "passine
away and the sons of the men will
whom lie associated were taking theil
places IN the business. professional and
social life of his native city.
During his last visit and three days stay
here, in the presidential campaign Of
1880, he was quite enfeebled aud showed
signs that age was beginning to tell upor
him. He delighted in tho wonderful de
ve!opmcnt of Lancaster county and never
tired rcvelling in its beauties and enjoy
ing its hospitality. He was fond Of re
calling the old men of his day and in trac
ing the career of those who started
with him but throughout the re-
| view Of his own lie he was bit
terIy mindful CT the ingratitude an.
unkindness lie had often met where leas
deserved and most unexpected. He wa!
especially sensitive to the growing powe
of accumulated wealth and apprehensiv,
of the dangers to tho country from aggre
gated capital. His novel aimed to dea
with this question while showing th,
true royalty of those Americans wht
rise to deserved eminence by their owl
| laboGs.
! Col. FOIney was a handsome man, o
striking appearance, with ruddy complex
ion, gray side wEiskers, strong and ye
graceful figure, and, until somewhat Grip
pied with rheumatism, walked erect an,
with fine step.
Few Americans Of this age have hat
more eventful careers. No citizen Of Ian
caster had seen moro of public life ant
public men. Few have contributed s.
much to the current periodical litcratur,
Of the day. But time alone will tell wha
permanent influence will attach to hi
| work.
Col. Forney was married to daughter
OF the late Philip Rsitzel, of this city, ant
she survives him, together with family
of children all grown, and Of whom Capt
James, John w. Forney, jr., Mrs. w. W
Wcigley, Misses Emma and Tlllie ar,
! well known in Philadelphia and Lancaste
society. His sister, Miss Sue Forney, is :
resident of Lancaster, and numerous rela
tives of his wife. His brother in law, w
w. Reitzel, has been manager of Progress
since its establishment.
Death Of James Peoples.
James Peoples, blacksmith, an intelli
gent and well-known resident of this city
died this morning at 10 o'clock at his resi-
dence on West Vine street, near s.:
Mary's church. Mr.. Peoples was born ir
the county Donegal. Ireland, and came tc