Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-08-21
CONGRESSIONAL HABITS---THE HON
EDWARD A. HANNEGAN.

ticc of Mr.. Hannegan. of Indiana -
The facts as to the killing of his brother-in-law
Capt. Duncan, by Mr. Hannegan, are already
widely known. Mr.. HannegIn had been a mem
Der of tn Legislature, both houses of Congress
Ambassador to Prussia, and might have beer
honored and useful in every relation of fe but fol
his fearful devotion to liquor, which has long rem
dered him terror and disgrace to his friends, and
hls at length probably led him to felon's DOOM
John Wentworth, who served with him In Congress,
thus comments on his case, in his Chicago Demo-
craft
Every man who has seen Mr.. Hannegan when
undcr the influence of liquor, as we have, can be-
Eevs the above. And every one who has seen him
and lived at the same house with him and his fam
ily. as we hlve, when he has been a total abSti-
| nence man for months together, will indeed pity
him. When sober he is as pure, as upright, as
kind and as generous man as there Is In this
| country. 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 gettlng
drunk.
| Mr. Hannegan entered the lower House OF Con-
eress many years ago, perfectly temperate man
and in point of talents, integrity, and popularity.
his prospects were as filttenng as those OF any
Young man in the United States. But Washing
ton fashions and habits were too much tor him.
Dissipation drove him to private life. lie reform
became a
plary member of the church. His exhortations IN
times of .reat revivas, are said to have equalled
those of the most eloquent dlvines living. AT
length the old hIbits were forgotten, and he was
sent to the Senlte. lie "a ok his seat an exemplary
son of temperance and christian. But, again,
the tempt atoms were too great for him. Ills strug
giles with himself were gigantic, and the assist ince
of one of nlture's noblest oewonen-Ais wife
secured for him the sympithies of everybody
De- b,a h
collection. Like most politicians, he left office
miseraby poor. At the close OF his term, ami oi
Mr. Polk's administration, to keep SO popular and
so good man from despair ani rum, although II
came out of Gen. Tdylor's term, the Sen tors
unanimously-whigs and democrats-sisned 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 hive
heard nothing of him until this melancholy affair.
We have seen niany young pian enter Con-
cress perfectly temperate and leave totally ruin
ed bat we never knew one VINO had SO uldny ef-
forts to save him. SO Intellectually, Mr. HInne-
gan. We now have in our mind three In our term
who killed themselves. Mr.. Hannegan has tired
to do so several times but he lived to Kill his wlfes
brother, the best friend, save his wife, he mad IN
the world That he wishes he was IN poor Dun
cans place we have no doubt. What an awful
comment this is upon the evil effects OF intempe-
rancei 1t was the first drop that ruined Hanne-
gan He IS now about the middle age OF man,
but there is great probability that he Will commit
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.
Mr.. Hannegan is only one of hundreds who have
fallen victims to the exciting and Irregular LIE OF
politics. There mast be something IN the leglsia-
tive career peculiarly calculated to induce habits
of intemperance and dissipation. 1t Is full OF ex-
citement-it causes irregular hours; 1t banlsheS
the wholesome restraints of home; 1t leads to Idle
ness and firm resolution is required to resist the
aIurement which cards and hqnor hold out to the
unoccupied votlry of pleasure. Asa general rule
most of those who spend few winters In Con-
gress, if they escape becoming sots, and are not
ruined at the gaming table, acquire habits which
render them discontinued with, and disqualfy them
for, the dull pursuits of ordinary life. More CON-
monty. they become regular topers and inveterate
gamesters. 1t is nota occurrence to md pouS
ders at home, the frequent attendants OF the uP-
ping shops, gaming tables, and bawdy-houses OF
Washington. i
The effects of this kind of life are not confined
Ito Washington-fhough there they may be more
Conspicuous than elsewhere. They are more or
less visible in every legislative assemblage. Even
lon the contracted theatre of Richmond within our
own time, we have seen those who were called
promising men, fall victims to the seductons OF
lefty life.-Richmond Wing.