The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-04-04

Won by the one and lost by the oihcr-.-
now what is the essential difference be-
tween this and the plan upon which lotte
ries are generally conducted ?-Nonc
In the lrwinton Masonic Hall Lotte-
ry, I, buy ticket with three dollars, l
may win or loose, otherwise it would be
no lottery. but not choosing TO stake my
money in this way. 60 to professed
gambler and wager three dollars with him,
upon throw of dice, here as in the other
case. may win or lose. And who does
not see that the principle in both cases is
the same! Both are games of chance. And
if one be pronounced gambling and the
other is excluded the same odium of epi.
thet, then language has lost its meaning.
Having proven that tho selling of lottery
tickets is gambling, we are 10 show in the
Cd place, that It is an unfair way of gam.
bling. l understand that it will: take a
bout twelve thousand dollars TO construct
the Masonic Hall. Their proposed objec,
in getting up the lottery is to accomplish
this purpose. They offer for sale fifty
thousand dollars worth of tickets of course
| shall draw all the prizes, amounting to
thirtv.eight thousand dollars, and it is not
possible for me to draw one dollar more,
though bought tickets to the amount OF
fifty thousand. Now is it fair for any man
to bet with another when he has his cards
so marked that he must necessarily win!
But the holders Of this lottery, are not bet
ting with one man, but with the commu-
nity. True but the same amount that l
as an individual would in buying up the
community must loose. And every man
that buys lottery ticketstakes three dol
lars against two dollars and twenty five
cents. No one in betting would think it
fair for his competitor to require him TO
stake one third MOI than himself wagers,
but this lottery compny requires and COM
pels every man that buys tickets to do this.
Now have made good, not only my first
position, but also the second. The selling
Of lottery tickets, then is not only gamb.
ling, but very unequal and unfair way Of
gambling.-Then we have established our
main proposition, that the selling of lot
terry tickets is the worst sort Of gambling
But the law allows and charters lotteries,
Yes And the law allows and charters
grog shops. And remember we arc now
contending upon moral principles, and
remember that the sanction Of the civil law
can never make thing right which in the
nature Of things is essentially wrong. But
again the building of a Masonic Hall, is
good object. l do not mean to deny it, but
it is principle long since laid down in
moral ethicks that we are not to do evil
that good may come" Now in the third
place, ask this community if they will
this lottery gaming. Will
you give your cash certainty for all un.
certainty. For my own part had rather
employ what little l can get these hard
times to the payment of my honest debts,
and for the support Of my family. EsPe-
cially yc professors of christianity, as you
value your characters here, and to your
title to the heaven Of the christians love
buy no lottery ticket-you are as solemly
to "avoid the very appear
ance of evil' as you arc to repent and be-
Iieve. What! Christians engaged in buy
ing and selling lottery tickets At the
thought, christianity bushes Oh, how
wecps over her furnished hon.
or and blighted reputation!
LIE STILL.