National Republican., 1875-07-26
GAMBLERS II PoLITICs--NoRRIssEY's
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE,

GAMBLERS IN P0L1TICS--H0RRIssEY'
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.
The ubiquitous and versatile George Al.
fred Townsend has recently interviewed
John Morrissey, or John Morrissey has in
terviewed him, we know not which, re-
garding the political situation. The Hon
orable Johns or Georges explanations and
predictions as embraced in the interview
have been widely copied as the sagacious
utterances of gambler politician. Some
how or another considerable reliance has
been placed in them. This is because they
are generally believed to be Johns and not
Georges opinions. In other words, simply
because it is supposed that a professional
gambler has spoken, the public has opened
its eyes, mouth and ears, and has either read
and swallowed the whole tale, or listened
to it with feelings of more than ordinary
interest. Exactly why this should occur it
is difficult to explain. Is it because Nor
rissey has been successful as gambler that
people believe he is possessed of qualities
which enable him to forecast the political
future2 The average American mind will
instantly repel this assumption or begin to
denounce politics as something that must
be swfully wicked because a gambler has
especial knowledge thereof. But the logic
of the case goes to show that a gambler,
while he is not always reliable, because
it is his nature to take great risks, is apt to
be a safe guide in matters requiring for
their manipulation the habits of student
of human nature. Such gambler as John
Morrlssey has proved himself to be, or his
rival, John Chamberlain, must certainly be
possessed of those habits, because they are
requisite TO the success they have both
attained in their o-called profession. The
hot-headed, rash gamester is rarely sue
O4Ie, s--ta iIis
followed by ruinous losses. The cool
headed, calculating player, who takes into
account all the chances, including the weak
points of his adversary's character, and
whe studies the varying effects of all kinds
of influences upon the action of his victims
or associates, is the man who wins and who
realizes the exceptional success which has
given to Morrissey and Chamberlain ma
tional names. Broad as this assertion is,
and calculated to receive the deserved
reprobation of moralists, it is nevertheless
true, and it is no less true of this country
than of others. In short the successful
gamblers of the civilized world have always
enjoyed the exercise of remarkable
political, if not social, power, as well as
an influence upon the general character
of the communities in which they reside.
Religionists may object to this and strive
to overcome it, but so long as human ns-
ture remains unchanged their efforts will
be to q greater or less extent unavailing,
especially in thickly- settled localities, where
the oddities, passions and the impulses of
mankind have more freedom and sway.
In the first place, the more than princely
hospitality of the class referred to, meeting,
as it does, the natural inclination of many
people to enjoy luxurious qualification of
appetite, is not to be overlooked as pow.
erful adjunct to their popularity. 1t is not
saying too much TO assert that this feature
of gamblers life serves as the nucleus
around which are gathered the elements
which advance and secure his success.
Tables groaning with the weight of richly
prepared feasts, wines of the rarest vintage
and fragrant cigars are attractions which
ordinary men of the world find 1t difficult
to overcome, 1t is, therefore, not at all
strange to find at the supper tables of the
more respectable % so-called club.houses
men of every grade Of life, from the hum
blest citizen to the distinguished soldier
and political leader. But the adroit game.
ster never intrudes upon the conver-
sation of his guests with sugges.
tions Of personal character, and
never invites them TO try their fortune at
the gaming.table. He rather allows them
TO shape their own discussions and choose
their own topics Of conversation, leaving
the subtle deviltry of human nature to do
the work Of temptation without other aid
than the presence Of inviting opportunity
The result is that these "club" suppers be-
come free and unrestrained occasions of in
teIchange of opinion regarding current af.
fairs in which the participants may have q
personal interest. In this way, 1t is safe
10 say, many Of the most important legisla-
tive projects and political movements have
had their origin; plots and counterplots
have been matured, and naturally enough
the host of the occasion is drawn into them
finally to become an active agent in the
promotion of their success or defeat.
But it is q noticeable fact that the major
Ity of the gambling profession are Demo-
Gratis. Morrissey and Chamberlain are fol-
lowers of this faith, and their calculations
regarding political affairs are invariably
based upon the assumption that the Demo-
cratic party ought to win, or the hope that
it will win. At their entertainments they
receive with equal cordiality the leaders of
either party, but when the time for defini-
tive action arrives they do not hesitate to
follow their natural inclination and take
sides with the Opposition. Their money
is spent in that direction, or staked upon
the success of that party. Their satellites
are of that belief, and all the ramified infu-
ences with which they are surrounded tend
to the overthrow of the Republican party.
The idea that 1T is the party of moral ideas,
that it opposed the aristocratic crime Of
slavery, and that Its fundamental principles
are based upon precepts of economy,
has never deserted them, and while
many of them, imbued with the
spirit of true patriotism, Joined