Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-05-01

man falls into embarrassments, says
the N. Y. Tribune. which ultimately over
whelm him in bankruptcy and drive him
into roguery and crime. He was yester-
day respected, influential and supposed
to be affluent, and his family were treated
and treated themselves accordingly; bu,
to-day he is disgraced and steered clear
resources or prospects-very
likely in prison and exposed to ignomini-
Gus punishment. .'Vile wretch" say the
million; lit is good for him, but we must
pity his family"
Certainly we must pity them-pi,y all
who suffer. They need pity. and there
is no danger that we shall pity them too
much. But the expression conveyed OF
the innocence Of the fallen mans family
and their unmerited exposure to want and
ignominy, is often very far from the truth.
In fac, half the men who are loathed
as dragging down their families TO shame
and destruction are really themselves
dragged down by those familes-driven
10 bankruptcy. shame and crime by the
thoughtless and basely selfish ex,rava-
gance Of wife and children. Let a man
be in the way Of receiving considerable
money and property in his hands, and his
family can rarely be made to comprehend
and realise that there is any limit to his
abilities 10 give and spend. Fine dresses
and ornaments for wife and daughters:
spending money and broadcloth tor hope
full sons-costly parties every now and
then. and richer furniture and more Of il
at all times-these are a few Of the blind
drains OH the governor means which
are Perpetually in action. 20, what's a
hundred dollars to a man doing such
business" is the indignant question in
case OF any demur or remonstrancc on
his part. Not one of them could bear 10
disgrace him by earning dollar: they
couldn't go our shabbily dressed, for fear
his credit would suffer
They can't see how man who can &c;
discounts in bank need ever be short OF
money or stingv in using it. All his talk
Of difficulties or hard times they regard
as customary fables. intended to scrimp
their drafts on his purse or enhance their
sense Of his generosity. When il is so
easy TO fill up check, why will he be
hoggish! Let him give fifty dollars 10
any philanthropic object, or invest five
hundred, however safely, in any attempt
to amclioratc the sufferings Of the poor.
and they now see clearly that he has
boards Of gold, and can just as well give
them all dresses and jewels as not Thus
the man Of means or of business is too
often regarded by his family as a sponge
TO be squeezed. goose to be plucked. an
orange to be sucked. a spring to be drank
from when thirsty without at all diminish
inc its flow The stuff is there in profl-
sion-the only trouble is to make him give
itup.
In vain he remonstrates-implor
put down his foot. lie cannot be eternal
ly contending with those he loves best
he wants quiet at home in order to mature
his plans and perfec; his operations. If
he resists opportunities, the pumps are
set going. and what man can stand the
April showers of feminine sorrow! He
gives way at last and throws down the
money demanded, hoping that some great
news by the next steamship, some turn Of
luck in his business, will make it up to
him. Perhaps it does. and he floats on;
perhaps it don't and this last feather has
broken the elephants back. The end.
however near or distant, is morally GER
tain. Treated always as mine to be
opened at will, he finally grows desperate
and rushes into reckless speculation or
blasting crime, and is overwhelmed with
ruin. '.Seltish villain" says the ignorant
crowd show cou1d he run such career!
How we pity his famly!" No doubt of
il! But it you knew more perhaps you
would pity him.