Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-06

4 SAD NARgArIvE.-Lesso 10 Young
Politicians. The following narrative from
the New Orleans Delta. is good lesson
for the times Now tina, people are get
ting sobered. il may have some weight with
the young men abou, town The Delta
says i, is literally true:
Happening in Recorder Baldwin's court
few days ago. ust as his honor was get
ting through his usual lis, of Migrants,
peacebreakers and petty larceners. our
notice was attracted BY the piteous en-
treaty of an elderly Individual. who stood
in the dock. and earnestly begged his
honor 10 let him off this time. promising
that the ''oll man would never trouble him
again.
And who are you. pray" inquired his
honor. with his customary phlegm.
Judging by the looks Of the prisoner. il
was not an imper;inent inquiry. His APP
pearance was quite tina. Of an ''oll sim
ner-' His face. though no, devoid of in
,elligence aud certain expression of
gentiitv, was bloa,ed and seasoned with
all the marks Of long course of dissipa-
ton and destitution- His eye did not
altogether. lack the lustre that betoAenel
the spirit of a man. and he still possessed
the ease Of manner. tinged with mau Him.
ism. anil the bearing Of brokenio~n
gentleman. An ol! secdv blue cloth coat.
covered a shir,leSs body, Wills, bvaclc
less pair of black pants that had seen
better days, scarcely protected his neither
limbs from the pi,ilcss peltings OF the
storm
WHO am /. honcyH" sesponded this
iorlorn individual; don't you know the
OLD man. or are you ashamed II recognize
him in his present plight! I've been a
greater man in my day than YOU, honey,
ever will be in yours. ! was in the legis-
tature OF North Carolina when Nat Macou
was member of it. and | have been
President OF the Senate of that old State:
and reckon If had ever tried l could
have been Governor or Congressman. |
used 10 drive my carriage, had my race
horses, and never went 10 Court without
my man Bob riding behind me with gold
band around his hat
And what has brought you down so
low inquired his honor.
""olltics. sir Some people say it was
whl>key; but whiskey was only one of the
effects, not the cause of my downfall
When entered upon the estate my father
left me, which was quite n sung property.
| was moral and industrious Young man:
but unfortunately, | had IA law sui, that
carried me frequently 10 court. and there
| met some Jolly fellows. who invited me
10 drink with them. and there too got 10
talking politics and hearing speeches, and
finally the boys persuaded me had a gift
for speaking, and made me mount the
stump And SO when once got on the
political track. you could't any more stop
me. than you could stop locomotive with
your big toe. | became very popular
that cost me all my fortune; | became a
provincial legslator-,hat cost me all my
morality and good habits; and finally. from
Il great politician. became Il gamblcr--a
drunkard now am here. house
less vagrant, in the dock with they very
vilest of this great wicked city,
at is all true; alas, too true remarked
i LAWYER in court. 81 knew Col. b
when he still occupied high position in
North Carolina; he was Of the most
prominent men of his time
You can CO." remarked the Recorder:
and the old man hohbled out Of the dock
and Went off. not knowing. as he said.
whittier to direct his lettering stcps-a
melancholy example Of the dangers which
hesct the path of those who abandon the
peaceful pursuits of private. 10 engage in
the corruptiny scenes Of political life.