Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-12-07

BETTING on ELEcTIoNs.-We have
observed with regret that for some
years past, the reprehensible and ruin
Gus practice of betting upon elections,
has teen steadily, but rapidly increas-
ing. From small beginnings, probably
among professed and active partisans,
who sought to strengthen assertions,
and give force to their opinions by tri-
fling wagers, it now ~prevades all clas-
ses o society and the test of being sim
cere in political faith lies in the great
ness of the amount which tho individ-
ual is willing to hazard on the result.
The rich and the poor, as shown by the
election just past, are equally affected
with the mania for political betting
To the extent of their means, and in
too many instances, far beyond their
means, they were not only ready, but
eager to back their favorite candidates
with heavy risks upon their %capabili-
ties for running, as If an election for
the public servants of u free people
stood upon a par with a horse race, and
the exercise Of the proudest attribute
ola republican was merely a test for
deciding a gambling question. The
Importance ofthe point at issue-the
policy of our own government-tho
public good-the welfare of our lnsti-
t~utions, seem in q measure TO be lost
sight of in the general desire to make
money without laboring for ito fill
the pocket by undisguised gambling
a species of gambling, in It's ultimate
tendency, of the worst description.
They who would shrink with repug-
nance from the idea Of betting upon a
race from hazarding their means up
on the turn Of a card, or the throw OF
a die, have no hesitation in openly do
ing the same thing upon a result OF an
election. They would arm with hor-
ror from the Threshold of a gaming
house, and consider it us derogatory to
be seer in company with men known
to be in the habit of ~frequenting such
establishments. They are anxious for
the suppression of the roulette table,
and the faro bank, as subyersive ofthe
morals of society, and replete with the
most dangerous %effects ; yet they will
openly, and with exultation, drain their
pockets to the last farthing, as a stake
upon the peoples sense of the merits OF
such or such an individual who may be
brought forward as a candidate for Of
flee. 1t is idle to talk ofprotecting the
morals ofthe community by penal n
actments against gaming, while prac-
tees like these arrest the attention at
every turn. Licensed houses of play
throughout u cities could not operate
more iniuriously. In fact the evil thus
arising might be less; for, as things
are al present, no place, not even the
ireside, is free from exhibition of the
gambling spirit. II is constantly be.
fore the eyes OF the young, the rash,
and the inexperienced and IT 1t has
not already, there is reason to fear That
the time is not far distant, when 1t VIII
be converted into an engine OF pohti-
cal power, and be used as an lnstru-
ment of baneful effect upon the purity
of the elective franchise. Should II
continue to increase, as it VIII, u not
checked by public opinion, 1t IS moi
easy to assign limits to its corruPtlng
influence.
Regarding the matter solely, as 10
its individual operation, IT would DC an
impressive lesson, if the pain OF mind,
heavy losses, and, we fear, run and