The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-11-17
A FIELD FOR ENERGETIC LABOR

A FIELD FOR ENERGETIC LABOR.
To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
A few weeks ago the conscientious
and moral portion of this community
read with pleasure and satisfaction a
law for the prevention and punishment
of gambling. The Legislature framed
and passed law, which for comprehen-
siveness and stringency seemed capable |
of putting a summary and complete
check upon this widespread and alarm
ing vice, if legal enactment could do so.
Throughout the State the law received
the plaudits and sanction of the press
and people, and in enumerating the few
good deeds performed by the last Legis-
lature, this was, by common consent,
placed at the head of the not very long
list. So far, so good. But why is it
that we begin to hear already, before
the act is a month old, that it is inop-
erative, and likely to follow in the
course of the Sunday law, merely adorn-
ing the statutes, but without moral ef-
feet upon the people? 1t is not because
the lawmakers failed in their duty, as
every point seems well and carefully
guarded; it is not because the law is not
upheld by the moral sense of the COM
munity, for in no instance has one OF
these sought to disparage it.
The truth as it occurs to me lies in the
fact that no one seems to consider it his
business to look after it. No one person
could be expected to do this, as unaided
he would only succeed in incurring the
opprobrium of the class who violate the
law, while unless he possessed fortune
to spend in the service of an ungrateful
community, he could not hope to cope
with this class or check the great evil
by forcing them to respect the law.
What is everybody's business is no.
bodyis business; one waits for another,
and each wonders why some one does
not look after the matter. My idea is
that the matter should be taken under
advisement by moral and Christian
men at a meeting appointed for thai
purpose, and that committee should
be raised whose duty it should be t.
have the matter under strict surveil
lance, and whose business further woulC
E be to report at once to the proper au
: thorities any violation of the law in thi
regard. Men of character, of courage
of influence, of means, many of whom
take or profess to take a deep and abid
ing interest in the moral status of th
rising generation in particular, coul,
. band themselves together and work 70
7 this thing, and, in the humble opinion
of your correspondent, could do more t
: check the vice of gambling by helpin
o to enforce the law against it, than al
their prayers and exhortations as mem
y, bers of the Young Mems Christian AS
e sociation could possibly do. These LAT
) ter are doubtless very well in thei
g place, but they have but little, if an
& effect upon men who spend their night
= and Sundays at gaming tables. 1t take
e something more material and tangibl
s than prayer, however fervently Offered
to reach these.
e There never was larger or broader {
e more useful field spread before workin
y and conscientious Christians, philar
d thropIsts, and moralists, than the Oh
e opened and made ready for them
e work in by this same gambling Law
= The lawmakers have done their par
u letnow those who have asked for sue
5. law, who have grown eloquent owe
Il it's great need in the community, 81
Il to it that it is not rendered inoper'
e, tive by the vigilance of the enemy an
u the slothfulness of its friends.
le If one committee such as is above prt
le posed is insufficient, let this committt
J. be empowered to bring sub-committe,
/ to their aid, and let no trembling
III doubling Thomases be enrolled upo
% any of them, but men instead who kno
le their duty and who in the name of ar
le interest in morality and humanity wi
. fearIessly go forward in the performan'
eS of the same. "Behold! the field
TO white for the harvest" Where are tt
) laborers who are ready to thrust in tt
u sickle? Will the Young Mems Chri
ID tian Association furnish them?
;" QUERIsT.
" Portland, November 10, 1876.
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