Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-02
The Politicians Wife"

Under the head of 'FIREsIDE READING" on
fourth page, we have given a Story with
the above caption. We have placed it there
for the especial reason that it may be read in
the Family Circle-that Husbands, Fathers
and Sons may read it. and be proited by the
solemn warning it conveys. There is a deep
toned moral communicated IN that simple Ils
tie Story-as truthful as it is simple. Ponder
it well, We young men and middle aged, who
are tempted to cast yourselves upon the tur-
bid waters of political strife and party poll
tics. Ten thousand gallant ships are annu-
ally sunk beneath its treacherous waves; and
as you value your hopes of success and use
fulness in life, and your desires of bliss in the
world to come, beware lest you be added
another Victim to the long catalogue of the
noble and gifted of the land who have perish
ed under it's baleful influence.
We would not have you ignore all interest
and participation in the political affairs ofthe
country. Far from it. Would that the
management Of the political affairs of the
country were more genarally assumed by the
religious and moral portion of the nation, who
would rebuke and discard the ~corruptions,
the intrigues, the immoralities that have been
engratted upon them by trading, gambling
politicians, whose patriotism is regulated and
governed by their own aggrandizement and
elevation. They are fast driving us upon the
quicksands and rocks of disunion and an
archy- For party promotion, too many of
} them would sacrifice principle, the interests
Of their own section, and the highest behests
{ of honor and sefpreservation. There are
many such, we fear, who undertake to control
the political affairs of our government. Would
e to God, that the honest, v~irtuous, patriotic in
J dignation of the interrupted people would be
aroused, and at one swoop drive all such from
the political arena.
e But the danger is, that they who are un.
< yersed in the corrupting dialect and manage
= ment of party warfare, by mingling with those
who are, will also be contaminated by the
d loathsome contagion. The whiskey bottle
has become the almost inseparable companion
% of the candidate for political promotion, ant
ID while he is pouring its damning current low
the Threats of his feliow-citizens, in his OWL
70 system he is kindling the fires of appetit
lie which will not be quenched till all the higl
al and holy hopes of earth and heaven are con
= sumed in their lurid flames.
ne And suppose you should succeed in graf
flying your highest political ambition at sue
a fearful sacrifice, will the glory of the high
ST est pinnacle of political fame atone for thei
loss? Remember the fate of the high-tone
r. and chiyalrous Hannegan, who slew his dea.
ne est friend while under the influence Of til
- accursed bowl-a love for which was acqui
ed amid the exciting whrl of political lf
He had reached the high summit of Senat
rial honors, and Ambassador in a foreig
~ Kingly Court-but he died apoor, wretche
s.. miserable wreck, over whose grave no star
70 hope shines.
tor
Forget not the fate of the highly giftt
ow Haskell, whose voice of eloquence and pow
MS had scarcely a compeer in all this broad Ian
IA How he was caught in the meshes of Il
of toiler-how he struggled to be freed fro
of his foul embrace, and tore himself from Il
angry arena of politics and entered upt
the peaceful and glorious field of reform, al
lay lor hoh'ns MS clarion voice was hearo
: over his W loved Tennessee, warning a