Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-01
WILL THEY DO ITf

week since we very modestly suggested that
the recent gubernatorial proclamation was put
forth as complement Of series of prepara.
tions, for the re- establishment of the base sys-
TEN of lottery swindling that has so long made
our little State Infamous, far and wide, over the
continent, Since that time, the plot has more
rapidly thickened than we then even dared to
suggest or suspect. Now, it is quite generally
understood that the special session of the esis-
lature has nothing more than incidental refer
ence to the collection of the national tax but is
designed chiefly to carry out the policy of these
lottery gambling gentlemen. grand bacchan-
al feast at the Continental, 4" where the choicest
wines flowed freely, and the rarest dishes
abounded, was needful to bring out the intended
edict Of our fosslized Executive, and announce
to helpless people the project for sadiliug once
more upon them one of the most monstrous
systems of fraud that ever hestrode any COM
munity. 1t is difficult to credit such cool az
impudent presumption as characterzes the men
who pay the money and those who received it.
When the last lottery grant was voted ii was
unblushingly admitted that the majority OF the
legislature who perpetrated that enormity were
bought with swindled gold. After the act was
accomplished, it was stOutly asserted by multi
tudes, that the people of Delaware would never
permit themselves to be SO abused again. Such
was the favorable course Of things, that-afier
reign of two years, during which q notorious
scheme Of cheating by means of false and Turing
circulars was allowed to run unchecked-this
al Waa IA lu FoNfo r
its conditions of existence, and for brief but
thrice happy period our State and city have
enjoyed an immunity from this curse and
scandal.
Now, however, the money is advanced, the
word is spoken, and 10 the State is at the feet
OF this lottery gorgon, and the dear people as
helpless as if, like the tabled hapless ones, they
were suddenly turned into stone. Wherever a
citizen goes he is asked why such things are
suffered and, trembling like very culprit, he
con only gasp in response, "mOney !" and sub.
side at once.
we have unfortunately too many among us,
who are willing to sink the matter Of character
and public reputation, at home and abroad, liz
the paliry consideration OF pecuniary gain; who
would be quite willing to see the State traded
away at every session of the legislature, if it in
any way might nure 10 their personal benefit.
But we cannot believe that the self respect of our
people has so far departed, as that they will
tamely submit to become subjects of bargain and
sale by few mereenary characters, who have
no visibly honorable means of livelihood. Thus
oei'eSlne' we feel bound to call the public atten
ton to the probable effort to resurrect the lottery
games in our city at the extra meeting of The
Legislature on the 25th inst. We shall be guilty
OF great injustice, il we allow this iniquy to be
perpesrated, without making every effort TO
prevent its contamination. And if we fni IN
prevent the legislature (should it he even
so) from re-enacting the farce of 1869, we
can then do no less than present the whole busi.
ness as nuisance 10 the Grand Jury of our
county, and thus transfer it from our city to the
State capital, where it should of right go.