Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-30
A Qaeer Place for an America m Cier-

A queer Pl0ce fOr AN America Cier.
or,e1f "a Bymnn. hwn bTnI
Letter from Rev. r. W. Clark. d D.. Albany.
York 0bssryer-Old School Presbyterian-
September l6 ]. ae t.... asa
Last evening / went to the famous
gambling rooms here. Everything in
and around them is made as attractive
and enticing as possible. In all the
world there is probably no gateway to
bell 80 magnificently and beautifully de-
corsted. The grounds. walks, trees and
flowers are arranged in the most artistic
and tasteful manner. F1GE
A most elegant pavilion, brilliantly
lighted, holds large musical band, that
fills the air with the sweetest strains.
Seats are provided for the thousands of
the fashionable from all lands who resort
to the grounds. 0n the exterior of the
edifce there are three signs At the left,
=" Restauration !" in the center, "Conver-
sation;" !" at the right, "Libraire." Ger
tainly, very innocent words AT the
door, under the first, one may obtain re-
freshment if weary and hungry. Here
bis physical nature may receive res
tauration." At the middle door he is
invited to the benefits and pleasures of
conversation" He can converse with
princes or blackIegs, with virtuous or
vicious women, as be chooses.
In this hall are the gambling tables.
At these there Is no conversation" "
Nothing is said deeds only. The wheel
turns, and the little white ball that de-
cides fortunes and destinies, flies rapidly
around. The victims place their silver
and gold upon the numbers and squares
on the table, and wait with the deepest
anxiety for the ball to lodge in a particu-
lar cell. Grsy-headed men and fashion
able ladies, as we'll as young men, crowd
around the tables to try their fortunes.
Of the amount successively placed
upon the tables, / should judge from two.
thirds to three-quarters were swept into
the vortex Of the bank. A few dollars
would be hero or there thrown to the out.
siaars, and occasionally gold piece, but
the lions share went into the pockets of
the proprietor. If this is the result of
mere chance, / should like to see the
proof. -of.f .aW varrnlterr. ~
This institution is rented by the Gov
ernment to a company for $4,000 year
and q atipulation to expend in addition
$50 900 FORMS on the walks and build
ings. Everything in and around them
Indicates "a pfofusioa off wealth. II Il the the
were fairly conducted upon
the doctrine of chance it is reasonable
to suppose that in the long run the pro.
prietor would lose as much as he gained.
Whence, then, come his immense profitsf 7
The only inference that we can draw
from the facts in the case and from the
course which other gamblers pursue is
that the company pay the Government
more than 100000 annually for the
privilege Of swindling the people of Eu-
rope, snd, With the swindling, poisoning
the minds and blasting the hopes of
young men, hardening gray haired sim
ners and adding to the prt figacy of
proAgste women. Aud what shall we
say of q Government that fills its treas
lry and fattens upon this villainy p?
We have. been accustomed to regard
as established to make and
execute just laws, to promote the inte-
rests and protect the rights of the people.
But here Is a goyernment in the midst Of
Europe, in the middle of the
century, kept, in a measure,
alive and vigorous by the spoils gathered
night aftes night ct this splendid gate
way. through which men sn9 women are
allured to win, through which souls bear
ing G ID s image 90 down to everlasting
pers:tion, II there is any power in Eu-
rope, or 90 Coda ssyth, to sEeep this
gambling hell out Of existence, that power
ought to be exercised. Those false words,
these enticing lies, "Restauration,"
i 0onyersation,' y "Libraire," ought to
be Instsntly obliterated. These frescoed
and eilaed' yslls shoEld hc leYeled te the
dust and ground to powder The musical
band cugbt to be forced 10 play their last
iirre over the ruins Of this palace Of the
. King of Darkness" Or if the edifce
il permitted to remain, the signs in it
ought to be changed for "Destruetion,"
. Death in Siienee,p end "Intellectual
Ruin" that the throngs OF this Watering
place may know whittier they are going
whpa tbsy pass the threshold Of these ia
.sl doors, Little are psFents in America
aware to whst their soas ere eFRosed who
come here to make The usual european
.our, which includes Baden.Rsden.
As / stood at one Of the tables last eve
ming / was startled TO see young man
veil known to me rapidly taking Napo-
cons from his pocket. placing them
ipon the table. and as rapidly losing
hem. Disappointed at bis want OF sue
,ess, be got a gold piece changed into sill
yer, and then placed these singly on the |
abls. Ee won Que piece about the val
le of q dollar, bst lost ! know not how
many Nspoleons Ia Napoleon being four
lollars Of our money!. / left my posi-
ion to 20 TO him aad warn him OF his
lancer: but before | reached him he
and was lost to my sight in the
,rovd. | sought to Hud him, but in vain.
This young man belongs to Q wealthy
auily in the highest social rank 10 one
f our CITIES, and could his father, mother
nd sisters have stood at the point which
occupied and seen one upon whom they
Isd lavished every advantage and the
EARNEST Affections thus caught in the
mare Of this sumptuous temptation, they
rould unite with every friend OF virtne
nd humanity in the desire for its de-
10 the case Of this young man
is neliye for gambling could not havs