The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-07-13
sure to be enunciated by him in Ian.
guage of honest boldness on any suit
able occasion that may chance to
rise. Mobile Register.
The Hannesan and Duncan TRAGEDY.

The Hannegan and Duncan Tragedy:
The facts as to the killing of his
brother-in-law, Capt. Duncan, by Mr..
Hannegan, are still fresh in the re-
collection of the reader. Mr.. Han
ncgan had been member Of the Leg
islature of Indiana, represented his
State successfully in both houses of
Congress, and was Ambassador to
Prussia. The cause Of his downfall,
and Of the terrible deed with which
his hands are stained, are thus given
by Mr.. John Wentworth, in his
Chicago Democrat, who served with
him in Congress-:
Every man who has seen Mr..
Hannegan when under the influence
of liquor, as we have, can believe
the above. And every one who
has seen him and lived at the
same house with him and his family, as
we have, when he has been total abb
stinence man for months together, will
indeed pity him. With him there
can be no middle state. He is
brute when drunk. When sober, he
will compare in all the elements of
goodness with any man living. But
he cannot drink without getting drunk.
MIR. Hannegan entered the lower
house of Congress many years ago,
perfectly temperate man; and, in
point of talents, integrity and popu-
larity, his prospects were as flattering
as those Of any young man in the
United States. But Washington fash
ions and habits were too much for
him. Dissipation drove him to
private life. He reformed, became
temperance lecturer, and an ex-
emplary member of the Church. His
exhortations in times of great reviva3s
are said to have equalled those Of
the most eminent divines living. At
length his old habits were fotgotten,
and he was. sent to- the Senate. He
took his seat An ssrT son, of
.leIn nersnee- and & g Chr iistian. But:
again, the temptations were too great
for him. His struggles with himself
were gigantic, and the assistance of
one of natures noblest of women, his
wife, secured for him the sympathies
Of everybody. But he would have
his sprecs, and he lost his reelection.
Like most politicians, he left the of.
flee miscrably poor. At the close Of
his term, and of Mr.. Polks's admin
istration, to keep SO popular and so
good a man from despair and ruin, al
though it came out of Gen. Taylor's
term, the Senators unanimously, wings
and democrats, signed call for Mr..
Polk to send him to Prussia, and he
was appointed to that mission. His
unfortunate career there is well known.
Since his return, we have heard moth
ing Of him until this melancholy af.
fair.
We have seen many a young
man enter Congress perfectly tenn
peratc, and leave it totally ruined; but
we never knew one who had so
many efforts to save him, so inetIec-
tually, as Mr.. Ianncgan. We now
have i'll our mind three in own
term who killed themselves. Mr..
lIamegan has tried to Go so several
times but; he lived to kill his wife's
brother, the best friend, save his
wife, he had in the world. That he
wished he Was in poor Duhcan's
place, we have no doubt. What
an awful commentary this is upon
the evil effects of intemperance! 1t
was the first drop that ruined Han
ncgan. fIc is now about the mid
die age Of man, and may yet live to
be very useful man; but there
is great probability that lie Will com
init suicide.
This tragedy will do much toward
enacting the Maine Liquor Law in
Indiana, and we can almost predict it
will be enacted at the next session Of
the Legislature.