Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-01-05
For the Lexington Union
BETTING ON ELECTIONS.

The practice Of hazarding large sums
Of money upon the result of elections,
although a common one, is nevertheless,
much to be dcprcsiatcd, Tor many reasons.
1t creates an excited state of feeling in
the public mind, often engenlcrs lasting
and cmbiitered hostility between individ-
uals, only coilatcraly interested in the
choice, by the public, Of any person or
persons for oillce-somc,imes, perhaps, in
duccs parties toIrcsort to unjusiitlablc means
in securing tho end desired, and is sys-
TEN of gaming as obnoxious, and milita,es
as much against the wcll-belng and good
order of the community as any other. 1t
is more public-more canvased. How
frequent have We seen gentlemen Of the
most stable and moral character, superin
duced by their sclicitude for friend, ac-
cept rendered wager; and pursue in
consequence thereof course utterly at
war with their general department; afford
ing bad example to those of less stability,
less experience. have been induced 10
make the above remarks not so much from
the practice having obtained with us here
olorc, but from the fact that even thus
prematurely, various wagcrs are proposed
10 be determined by the result OF the next
November elections. Every voter enter
taines a preference for some particular
candidate or candidatcs--it is right that
he should; nor is il wrong ior him TO aid
by fair means in securing to his friend,
that station for which he is an aspirant--
not by ,raducing or deroga,ing from the
character of the opponent, but IN stating
the qualifications which the individual
whom he prefers may possess, fitting hin
for the discharge Of any public function
This species of betting, occasionally pro-
duces the most unpleasant results ant
frequently defeats that person, who, under
other circumstances would have received
majority OF his county, and was no shape
party TO the bet. BE i; said, however
to the honor of our county, that since its
, organization, its citizens have chosen
, officers, shrieval, rlerical and Judicial
fully competent 10 discharge those duties
, which the law calls on them to perform
This has been invariably the case as i
regards the higher, and very generally il
: the inferior offices.
: Still candidate for public favor ma,
be literally thrown out Of a canvass, by al
illiudged " stake," put up always under
, state Of excitement. In republican gov
: crnments there can always be found sniff
! cient interest and zeal without increasin,
l.. the soliciude, already felt by bets.
y There have been instances in Home
. county which 60 far TO establish the per
. nicious effects produced by this cause
that Of attending the different precincts
posting to Lexington under express witt
S the returns of the polls. Giving on
S statement to one party, another to sec
d ond--and thereby procuring bets of tn
It unwary.
Q These remarks, Mr.. Editor, are no
J. predicated upon any facts connected wit
It the regular election. All the gentlemen
y who have been spoken of as probable can
IS didates for office; are worthy, HONORABLE
it men, who would honestly and faithful
!, fill the several posts to which they aspire
| have suggested the foregoing under til
It hope that our citizens will refrain fro,
C making wagers upon any election as ia
lie as possible. b.
For the Lexington Union.