The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1848-12-01


Rye, 2532O0O 44s000
Oats, ll.9470OO 9,45s,OOO q
Rnekwheat. L097O0n
THE Broken DOWN PoLrTIc1AN.-The
moral contained in the following truthful
sketch may bring some consolation to the
detected spirits of our disappointed polite
clan, and serve as a warning to those whom
/ success may lure in the dangerous field Of
political ambition. Happening in Recor-
der Baldwin's Court, few days ago, Just
as his honor was getting through his usual
list Of yagrants, peace-breakers and petty
larceners, our notice was attracted by the
| piteous entreaty Of an elderly Individual,
who stood in the dock, and earnestly beg
ged his honor to let him off this time; prom
ising that the ''old man would never truble
him again.
"And who are you, pray!" inquired his
honor, with his customary phlegm.
Judging by the looks Of the prisoner, It
was not an impertinent inquiry. His ap-
pearance was quite that of an cold sinner"
His face, though not devoid Of intelligence
and a certain expression of gentility, was
bloated and seasoned with all the marks Of
a long course Of dissipation and destitution.
His eyes did not, altogether, lack the lus-
tre that betokened the spirit Of a man, and
he still possessed the ease of manner, tinged
with maudlinism, and the bearing Of bro
ken-down gentleman. An old seedy blue
cloth coat, covered shirtless body, whilst
a braceless pair Of black pants that had
seen better days, scarcely protected his
neither limbs from the pitiless peltings Of
the storm.
"Who am I, honey?" responded this
forlon individual: .'don't you know the old
man, or are you ashamed to recognize him
in his present plighti I've been a greater
man in my day than you, honey, will ever
in yours. | was in the Legislature Of
North Carolina when Nat Macon was
member Of it. and | have been a President
of the Senate of that old State; and reckon,
if I had ever tried, / could have been
GoV'nor or Congressman. | use to drive
my carriage, had my race horses, and
never went to court without my man Bob
riding behind me with gold band around
his hat
sAnd what has brought you dn'r" :"
'.Politics, sir. Some people say it was
whiskey; but whiskey was one of the eff
fects, not the cause of my downfall. When
| entered upon the state my father left me,
which was quite snug property, was
a moral and industrious young man; but,
unfortunately, had lawsuit that carried
me frequently to court, and there / met
some jolly fellows, who invited me to drink
with them, and there too I got to talking po-
litics and hearing speeches, and finally the
boys persuaded me had the gift for speak
ing and made me mount the stump. And
so when / once got on the political track you
couldn't any more stop me, than you could
stop locomotive with your big toe. be-
came very popular-that cost me all my
fortune; / became a provincial legislator
that cost me all my morality and good hab-
its; and, finally, from great politician
became gambler drunkard-and now
am here, houseless vagrant, in the dock
with the very Vilest Of this great, wicked
city,"
1T is all true" remarked lawyer in
court. 81 knew Colonel B-when he
still occupied high position in North Car
china; he was one of the most prominent
men of his time"
"You can CO. remarked the Recorder;
and the old man hobbled out Of the dock
and went of, not knowing, as he said, Whith-
er to direct his tottering steps-a melan-
cholly example ofthe dangers which beset
the path Of those who abandon the peace
ful pursuits Of private, to engage in the cor
rupting scenes of political ife.-N. o.
Delta.