Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-11-24
BETTING ON ELECTIONS.

We have observed with regret that for
some years past, the reprehcnsible and ruin
ous practice Of betting upon elections, has
been steadily but rapidly increasing. From
small beginnings, probably among proiesscd
and active partixans, who sought to strength
ell their assertions, and give force to their
opinions by Jifing wagers, it now pervadcs
Sll classes of society, and the test of being
sincere in political faith lies in the greatness
of tire amount which the individual 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 up
ON their capabilities for running, rs if an
election for the public servants of free peo-
pie stood upon par with horse race, and
the exercise of the proudeSt attribute Of a re-
publican was merely test for deciding
gambling question. The Importance of the
point at issue-th policy OF our own govern
ment-thc public good-,he welfare Of our
institutions. seem in a measure to be- lost
sight of in the general desire To make money
without laborng tor ito fill the pocket by
undisguised gambling-a species OF gat,b-
ling, in its ultimate tendency, of the worst
description.
-. They would shrink with repugnance at the
idea of betting upon race, from hazarding
their means upon the turn of Il card, or the
throw of die 81 have no hesitation in openly
doing the same thing upon tho result of an
election. They would turn with horror from
the threshold OF "A gaming house, and consid-
or it derogatory to be seen in company with
f. Al, h,k, 8
such establishments. They are ANXIOUS for
the suppression Of the roulette table, and the
faro bank, AS subvcrsivc Of the morals of So
ciety aud replctc with the most dangerous
effects; yet they will openly and with rxula-
tion, drain their packets to the last .ar,hlng,
as II stake upon the peoples sense of the
merits of such or such an individual who may
be brought forward as a candidate for an Of
fee. II is idle to talk of protecting the NOR
ais Of the community by penal cnnctlnents
against gaming, while Practices like these
arrest the attention at every turn. Licensed
houses Of play throughout our cities could
not operate more injurously. In fact the
ev il thus arising might be less; for, as things
are at present, no place, not even the fireside,
is free from exhibitions of the gambling spir.
il. It il constantly before the eyes Of the
Young, the rash, and the inexperienced; and
if it has not already, there is reason to fear
tha, the time s not far distant, when it will
be converted into an engine Of political pow
er, and be used as an instrument Of baneful
effect upon the purity of the elective fran
chise. Should it continue to increase, as 1t
will, If not checked by public opinion, 1t is
not easy 20 assign limits to its corruptlng in
fueBce.
Regarding the matter solely a. TO its indi-
vidusl operation, il would be an impressive
lesson. if the pain Of mind, heavy losses, aud,
we fear, ruin and wrctchedness, in Philadel-
phia and New York alone, arising from the
late election, were held up to public view
The warning would be one no, easily forgot
ten, could we arrive ut Knowledge ~ but
part Of the misery which is now endured
from the cause to which we rcfer-could we
hear but Of a portion OF those who are now
cursing their folly in yielding to the force OF
example and the impulse OF excitement. and
in hazarling that which IL has taken them
years 10 accumulate, upon mistaken hopes
aud dclusivc ASSURANCES. The suffering has
not unfortunately been alone an'ong t'ose
able To bear II. Poor men have been drawn