The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-22

| Ihe kev. IL. w. Oiark, ~. ~, OF Albany,
N. Y, publishes the following letter from
Baden-Baden in the New York Obseroer;-
Last evening went to the famous gam
bling 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 hell so magnifcently and beau
tifully decorated. The grounds walks, trees,
and flowers are arranged in the most artistic
| and tasteful manner.
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. On the ex-
terror of the edifice there are three signs. At
the left ''Restauration;" in the centre, Soon
versation;" at the right, 'Libraire" Ger
tainly, very innocent words At the door,
under the first one may obtain refreshment
if weary and hungry. Here his physical
nature may receive ''restauration." At the
middle door he is invited to the benefits and
pleasures of conversation" He can con-
verse with princes or blacklegs, with virtuous
or vicious women, as he 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 decides fortunes and destinies flies
rapidly around The victims place their sill
yer and gold upon the numbers and squares
on the table, and wait with the deepest
anxiety for the ball to lodge in particular
cell. Grey-headed men and fashionable ladies',
as well as young men, crowd around the
tables to try their fortunes.
Of the amount successfully placed upon
the tables, 1 should judgesfrom two-thirds to
three-quarters were swept into the vortex of
the bank. Afew dollars would be here and
there thrown to the outsiders, and OCCASION
ally gold piece, but the lions share went
into the pocket of the proprietor. If this is
the result of mere chance l should like to see
the proof
This institution is rented by the Govern
ment to a company for $1,000 year and
stipulation to expend in addition $50, 600
horins ON the walks and buildings. Every
thing in and around them indicates q pro-
fusion of wealth. If the gambling were
fairly conducted upon the doctrine of chance,
it is reasonable to suppose that in the long
run the proprietor would lose as much as he
gained. Whence, then, come his immense
profits? 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
800, 600 annually for the privilege of swind-
ling the people of Europe, and, with the
swindling poisoning minds and blasting the
hopes of young men, hardening grey-haired
sinners, and adding to the prohigacy of profit
gate women. And what shall we say of
Government that fills its treasury and fattenS
upon this villany?
We have been accustomed to regard gov
ernment as established to make and execute
just laws to promote the interests and protect
the rights of the people. But here is gov
ernment in the midst of enlightened Europe,
| in the middle of the nineteenth century, kept,
in a measure, alive and vigorous by the spoils
| gathered, night after night, at this splendid
| gateway, through which men and women are
allured to win, through which souls bearing
Gods image go down to everlasting perdition.
If there is any power in Europe, or on Gods
earth, to sweep this gambling hell out of
existence, that power ought to be exercised.
! Those false words, those enticing lies,
''Restauration," Conversation, 'Libraire,"
ought to be instantly obliterated These
frescoed and gilded walls should be levelled to
the dust and ground to powder. The musical
band ought to be forced to play their last
dirge over the ruins of this palace of the
''King of Darkness Or, if the edifce is
permitted to remain, the signs on it ought to
be changed for Destruction, death in
Silence and intellectual RUM" that the
throngs at this watering place may know
whittier they are going when they pass the
threshold of these fatal doors. Little are
! parents in America aware to what their sons
are exposed who come here to make the usual
/
AS stood at one of the tables last evening,
was startled to see young man well known
to me rapidly taking napoleons from his
! pocket, placing them upon the table, and as
rapidly losing them. Disappointed at his
want of success, he got gold piece changed
into silver and then placed these singly upon
the table. He won one piece about the value
OF dollar, but lost L know not how many
napoleons Ga napoleon being four dollars of
our money! left my position to go to him
and warn him of his danger; but before
reached him he withdrew and was lost to my
sight IN the crowd. L sought to find him,
but IN vain. This young man belongs to
wealthy family in the highest social rank
IN one of our cities, and could his father.
mother and sisters have stood at
the point which l occupied, and seen one
upon whom they had lavished every advan-
tage and the warmest affections thus caught
IN the snare of this sumptuous temptation.
they would unite with every friend of virtue
and humanity in the desire for its destruction.
In the case of this young man his motive for
gambling could not have been the desire for
money, for he has in abundance all that he
desires; and had this vice been presented to
MN IN ITS naked andhideous features he never
could have yielded to it. But the splendor
and RESERVATIONS around him had taken cap-
1--WE his whole being, and there he stood bar
terlng away every good principle for gold that
ne ana not need; selling his splendid birth
rlgnt' ms grand opportunities in life for use
tulhess' honor and happiness for that which
10 MN was less than mess of potage.
SPECIAL NOTICES.