Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-05-31
GAMING.

Among the vices that have stained the
moral character Of the civilized world for
a great period, that Of gaming, perhaps, is
as pernicious and deleterious in its effect
on the future happiness of youth, as any
that can be named-and they, alas! are
not few. TO the seductive influence which
a game OF cards presents, may be added
the alIurement TO other vices, as well as
, ruination of all principles of honor and
sobriety. 1t is not merely the simple fact
tha, money is hazarded or fortune staked,
but drinking, quarrclling, and profanity,
fill up the measure of vice and prohigacy,
ever attendant on amuscmen:s Of this de.
scription, and will corrode and corrupt all
that comes within its pestilcntial atmosphere.
We behold tho young tossed upon the tenn.
ocs.uous wave Of passions bois:crous
ocean, SAY irc.r;h into the gay world, flush.
cd with bone, a2d b,oyed up with curiosity
and cagcrness; Young and inexperienced,
he pcrceivcs objects spifcic7t to excite
every passion, and in the midst Of Us Keen
ness and relish for pleasure, he is brought
10 the gaming tablc-he takes his seat, and
the partition wall which separates virtue
from vice. is broken down. Enticing and
alurns in its appearance, he enters into
the soul and spirit of the gamc-duped and
dcludcd by his companions, he, ere long,
becomes initiated in all the morbid and de.
s:ructive principles of the gamester. His
friends {as they call themseIves) having
accomplished their first purpose, tempting
him to play, now drain him Of his last cent;
in a state of desperation, he determines to
retrieve his lost fortune--he borrows-
plunges deeper and deeper: and bee ONES
more involved in the vortex Of ruin.
That heart, once the scat Of every manly
virtue, is callous and unwarmed by tine
least ray of peace or hope. The demoni.
&C passions OF envy and jealousy rankle
anc rage in his disordcrod system; the
mild and cheerful temper is now changed.
TO the morose features Of despair.
That genius that once sparkled with
such briIliancy and beauty, and was cal.
culated to adorn and add lus're to the forum
or the bar, is now cncrvated and destroyed
by the dcbaached profligacy of the ga.
ming table.
Yes, such is the melancholy and awful
effects Of play upon the human heart; it
poisons every sentiment Of virtue and
morality; crcacs an entire hcarllcssncss
and indifference to every tender tic in life;
cxtinguishcs every spark of feeling and
honor; blasts and wiihcrs the fairest cx.
pcc.at;ons Of relatives and friends; nips il
The bud the brig ghtest prospects of domestic
peace; and, finally, the emaciated, worn.
out victim Of cards descends to the grave.
remembered only as the victim Of incm-
perancc and gaming, leaving the events of
his life as standing monumGl: Of vice
and infamy.
Agains, the fascinating temptations Of
this fashionable amusement, then, let the
young oppose al their discretion, scruple
and philosophy; for, 'ha, It dcaden$. pal !:
desiroys, every spark OF friend. :
ship anu li.iaI love in the Ecart-.hat il .
tends TO jn'emperaHcc and discase--ard .
las y, the .0ss Of character and health, is q
trli;! founded upon experience and observa. .
ton. As the holy preacher OF Israel once
c.,;t' -" rCu -, .!c-1 .L:-,,-> :o,!