Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-22
RICHMOND wHIG.
CAN GAMBLING BE SUPPRESSED


ing" which had appeared in the columns Of the Wing,
on the 7.h ult., the pselionym of "Erskine."
had no desire to identified particularly with the auth
or OF the production in question: and accordingly ad-
dressed you, and, through yourself, any who might
feel such interest," the seriousness of the subject was
calculated to inspire simply making the observations OF
'Er.kns" the theme Of argumentative criticism In
that article was studious avoid anything which the
most sensitive courtesy could forbid. was therefore
somewhat surprised to see in day or SO, letter, fol
owed day by second, in the Whg, addressed 10
w. NJ and signed "Erskine in which Erskine" arraycd
himself against me- and tha. certainly in the most re-
iued way. Politer terms surely might have been dis
covered after very brief search. If "Erskne" Is not
sAsed with the force Of my logic in this matter he csr
iainly viii, in his mind, admit what ought TO have
been tie power of my example His impatience, as
soou be read my comments bis argument, was de-
ciiedy interesting, well TO others, TO myself for
the simple reason that Il clused pass before the
al eye the image Of breast sticking full Of arrows, not
from auy particular skill in the archer but from the
beadh and uearness Of the mark. In the two Letters
which "Erskine" has addressed to me, he has not
ceeded in tuggiug one OF these arrows from his geved
bosom. Although he says in regard to the fine things he
writes concerning gambler: Il do soernnly assure
you it Is for that purpose the purpose of argumen)
ard none other that have referred to them at aD IL
is sill; evident Mr.. Editor, that the ,ct of all this
il compliment to gamesters. 'Efskine" may say, be
oes no. mean this and Of course l am bouad to be-
beve t as be tells SO, but am at liberty to remem
her tha, there s such thing "snnins ignorant,'
AID iccine the opuiou that the intelligent readers
the Hhic, who were NOS deferred by the unique and
uagaeous opening Of "Erskines" letter to from Civ
ing the OF il persuG will be SLOW to think that
there is at all events, adequate horror of gambling
where the writer has high opinion Of the coloQud
DO Hers fnement aud universs culture Of these dsJ
and houil vtlIors OF pablo law, these main stays OF
host Of inferior thieves these very pests of society
Lovers OF law and morality do not generally speak in
this strain, Aad when writer addresses the public,
eommeDding cera measure, aglins. any vice, aud ct
be time language concerning its voaries, to
which men are not hAbulted he is entirely mistake
II he iancie ,hey be eas csd TO his proposal
The vsy OF such n relormer is through hedge OF
tlorns K may change the language, see "2rskine"
assaying to swim aglnstA b'oad rapid and expanding
chGun and borne away exhausted aud terrified towards
the Ca,arsct OF public condemnation. Bu: must not
stay by this abyS.
did %: mean, Mr.. Editor, to raise imnaterial
issue" when asked E'skine for the proof of his
ssr.ion thai, "before the food Chance was God at
whosa altar millions worsbipped." l did not care par
;iculay how it nigh. have bsea relates the argu
ment not thinking, as "Erskine" did, that antiquity
adds anything TO the dignity o. a ves l only knew
that there particle OF evidence Of gaming having
gone o. in The anteiluvGn era and simply designed in
calling for his proof (which, Of course he did have)
20 throw him. ike miute, the confession Of hav
ing made positive statement, which entirely with.
o.. fouldG;ioD. This my chief object, and e.
sTue is welcome TO the result. OF did not
have any abstract. choice, whether gaming ancient
modern. II had been committed prior to the ood,
tha; would have been eIenuaiion OF it. than
such antiquity could diminish the gull. Of the violence
and boOdshed which, are informed then prevail
el. My object what have stated il to be- and
Erskne not blame me, the tFuth-oving read
OF the WAq il We remember that at least in one
iasiaLoa, he has shown himself oaplbe Of making a
random assertioa-One having its origin in mere gh.
Of his swift Imagination.
Il 10 tue, sir tha. Eskue proves tho existence Of
the Isthmian, Pythean aud Olympic games, which
denied bug the earliest Of them had being for
tlou.aad yJors subsequent the food. ] criticised,
wi b rather unpleasant eject the mind Of Er-
skile bis positive lhaI millions gained before
the Hood aul no allow TO ireshen nis ca
sjcal "reminiscences by calling hi4 attention TO very
prominent feature In the ancient games which that
the prz on the yaois occasions was in itself usually,
If not always, worthless. II "Erskine" had read HE
"Giobou OF bis "Ksnnott lately, he would have
membered that "simpe garland" was the tangible
prz, in the OF the Roman Stadium, though money
~as very often gsel to the successful competitor by
other persons TIE money was not stake, put up by
The competitors themselves, but by admirers of those
gamea just a pecuniary prz, is nova days Offered
TOR the best literary work specified subject
tn. pri1,, however was crown OF leaves and above
AID beyond that the supposed imp rishIJs
of Toe victor ia the national games The money was su
Incidental thing, voluntary offering from the bysand
ers or olsers Of the games souctmOs given and some
tunes no. given. AusonigS, as translated by Addison
would have informed Eskine" this ell ct, as far a.
The prs, of the Grseda games WaI concerned.
"G.eses Ia fou gamer Thy .lrtlal youth we're trained
IOr heroe' Two aat two iCr soiu orda'ne%
ph,r ius - bis NJ GPpiJ gdrliad gave
Tie pine. P4r boa nos wi n issl renoWn
Atca-lnoruI c0ui i.Trei he ptfsisy esOun."
The ieafy chaplet representing the crown Of andy
ing honor with which tue victor was @ rewarded for
hs own cake aud that o. his Eny for some genera
tious was the prize in those ancient contests The
money that mighs be given VAS not an object in the
mind, Of more Hosle sspiSants, II il had been in any
case known to be the absorbing obj Of the successful
contestant when c. on the high ideas the ancients
had OF the gores OF these games is likely that the
judges wouli have refused have crowned such one
unworthy in consequences OF the oW motive that I'M
p,led him. TIA. bettiog took place among tho out.
sders, Of course, is probA6s, Gs 'Erkne" tell In
deed IN inform "E'skine' Whit no evidently does
not know, which is that there games Of chance
tay abog. the Christian era AMI that money was put
up, as now, By tbs gsmesters He did not know this,
else he would have given It an authoritative ac in.
e,ead Of relying urounded assertions 10 reference to
tkn nntianal ramaa IlMEtskinnn zaa EnalIx Il.