The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-05

on the proceedings Of the select COM
mittee on gaming, from which il appears that on
one subject at least there is marked advance and
improvement inpublic opinion amongst the British,
and that subject is gambling 1t is notorious that
this vice was fearfuy on the increase, particularly
In the higher circles of society, and for that
the more mschievous as there is a proverbial ten
dency in that country, in the middle and lower
classes to emulate and initiate the fashions of the
more exclusive and privileged orders. Gambling,
since the days Of the "Regency," when the young,
dashing, and dssipated sons Of old George ILL., dis
tnguished themselves in the gay world, and patro-
nlzed amongst other vicious habits, those OF heavy
betting and the gaming table, has become remark
ably prevalent in London, amongst those who, hav-
f,g "more money than wit" csnirve, with wi 1t
little of the latter they have to get rid ofhe excess
of the former by deep gaming and heavy betting.
Awakened to sense OF the danger to society,
efforts have been strenuously made by the more
moral part Of the community to direct the attention
Of the authorities to il, the result OF which has been
that Committee of the House Of Commons have
Instituted rigid enquiry into the extent and the in.
fuence of gaming. Whatever diversity of opinion
prevails amongst those who, being themselves ad-
dicted thereto disposed palliate more or less
the evil, it is clear that the common sense of the
country is hostile to it, and fully determined sup
press II, and if laws stringent enough to accomplish
this commendable object are not enacted, the cul-
pabilty will rest with the legislature.
In this country too, there is great need Of inter-
ference on the part Of the proper authorities to
suppress gambling Of all kinds, and we hope that it
is fully practicable TO bring this about. That such
may be the case, movement on the part Of the
citizens themselves, on the part Of the public press,
must precede it, So long as people wait fer the
legislature to move in the matter first, they will
remain they are. In this, as in every other case
OF reform, the common sense and morality OF the
country must take the initiative and it is gratifying
to observe that some tokens Of this being the case
are discenible.
From the Baltimore papers we learn that MIR. J.
IL. Green, the reformed gambler, than whom no
man knows the fraud and dishonesty Of the craft
better, is making public exposition Of these evils
Mr.. G. proves satisfactorily that the "Aattering unc
ton" of chance to win, by which the greater part
of novices are entced to beginning, is mere de-
fusion; that they at the mercy of the profession
al gamesters, and must sooner or later make the
fatal discovery. Quite enough has been divulged
by MIR. Green to convince any sober, Judging man,
that the sharpers, who profess to meet their victims
on equitable and fair terms, possess advantages
which no science, shrewdness, or judgment, on the
part OF the amateur, can cope with ltisno science,
but piece OF perfect swindling and an exposure
to the tender mercies of the swell mob is not one
whit less compatible with the safety of the pocket,
than an attempt TO cope with the cool and efiec-
lively arranged system Of knavery BY which game
sters and gamblers of all descriptions plausibly rob
their victims
No place requires more the salutary interference
of legislation on this evil than New York. Per-
haps for the size of it, there is much money fitch
ed from the pockets Of those who frequent the pre-
cincts Of the light fingered gentry as there is in
London itself, or in Paris. Wherever it exists it
is an evil Of great magnitude, and whoever contr-
butes to its eradication does an act of public bene-
fit. Under this conviction we should he rejoiced
to see public opinion awakened, and the authori-
ties acting with energy and decision in order to its
suppression
STATE OF IRELAND.-Some of the violent repeal
newspapers in Ireland, becoming quite alarmed by
the continued prospect Of tranquility, are
endeavoring to stir up the people to acts
Of lawess folly One of the Limerick papers
recently published very infammatory arti-
Gle, recommending the people to provide them
selves with msskets and ammunition-if any man
had MT the money, this jealous patriot advised him
TO sell his coat and buy gun, and if the garment
were "too old and worn" to fetch enough OF the
needful-a very probable case with the majority Of
the finest peasantry in the word-he was exhorted
to get pike with it, which is declared to be mo
mean weapon"
For this incendiary and seditous language the
paper has been prosecuted by the government, and
the editor will probably soon share the honors with
tue conspirators i'll the Dublin peniten:iary. What
curses has not O'Connellism inflicted unhappy
Ireland There cannot be found in any country a
race OF men naturally more disposed to industry
and order than the Irish. Demagogueism has been
their bane. We see in this country how we'll
conducted orderly and industrious the Irish are as
class. Here, too, the demagogues would delude
and destroy them; but, thank heaven, the counter
acting influence is too powerful
There is to be repeal meeting tonight in this
city, for the purpose Of subjectng the honest, in
dustrious, Woodworking lrishmen of the laboring
class, to "another bleeding" as one Of the little
beggarmen felicitously expresses it. But 1t will
probably be a failure. 1t is really most disre.
putable and heartless business, this plunderlne
these poor men Of their well-earned dollars. II il
equally as bad as the robbng Of the pious poor by
the missionary societies. The extortion Of money
from the lower classes is not alas the only iniqui
ty practised under the sacred name Of patriotism
indignant rebuke from us, and In rebukng il we dc
but echo the indignation Of ali true patriots and al
genuine Christians.