The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-01-09
the LOUISIANA LOTTERY.

TME LOUIS1ANA LOTTERY.
| One Of the most scandalous institu
ltions which the era Of Radicallsm mas
spawned upon this State is the Louis
lana Lottery Company. The bill Great
ing this extraordinary corporation was
passed through the Legislature bybrib'
cry, and every breath that II breathes
IL corrupting. Tho Louisiana State
Lottery Company is an Institution
which, In the nineteenth century, ought
not to exist In any thoroughly en-.
lightened and Christian country
and we confidently assert that II des'
potism Of rascality, under which any
nefarious organization can flourish, that
can and will resort TO bribery, did moi
Cypress and disgrace Louisiana. the
Lottery Company would never have
been born, and could not now boldly
buy up newspapers. employ pimps, and
influence legislatures.
We are not go impracticable IA ID
pirate OF destroying all dtmoralisinp
Institutions. or even, totally. gain'
bling institutions. There is large
element OF wickedness III human
nature. and II Ia likely that
until there IL new and higher birth,
men will gamble and drink, and do other
evil deeds. Efforts, therefore. 10 totally
annihilate such trapsgressions Of the
moral law. originate in the dreams OF
enthusiasts, and are certainly utopian
It IL. however, one OF the duties OF leg
islatures and, indeed. Of society, to
check these evils as much as
possible. and, instead Of giving
them encouragement. 10 repress
them and frown them down. Even
men, not OF tho highest moral clarac-
tcrs. would shudder ut n deliberate prop
osition to organize and establish an
open, vast and powerful institution for
the purpose Of educating the youth OF
the country. and men and women, into
gamblers for the immediate benefit of
the conductors Of tho institution, and
the Interior benefit of gambling
hells.'' Were they asked II such an
institution was lawful. or II it should
be tolerated In a civilized
community, they would dcnounce
the suggestion with Indignation.
And yet tho Louisiana Lottery Is
Just s,ich an educational institution. II
Is the preparatory school for the faro
bank and the roulette table. Daily and
hourly. Il is tempting men. women and
children, who. were II not In existence.
would never dream of such thing, TO
gamble; II IL infusing the passion tho
eager. Irresistible passion for gaming
into their hearts.
The faro bank Is kept in seclusion
men who wish TO venture have
to hunt II up; It's glitter
ing destinations are not spread before the
eyes of the whole community; tradi-
ton. early teaching, its avowed char
actor OF vice, cause those not fa-
miliar with It to shudder at and shrink
from Il. But the lottery company
is legalizcd by the Legislature OF
the State, and II opens It's gam
bling tables at every corner Of the
city, and In nearly every town and vii
lage Of the State. Its schemes Of chance
are advertised In every paper. and the
agents Of its. gambling saloons are all
over the land. In the city and in nearly
all the towns. one may find squads Of
boys. after tho daily drawing. eagerly
reading the result to see IL they have
lost or won; ladies slyly send to
purchase tickets, and even pious
men have been known TO ven
ture. what might, In accordance
with their professions. have been
better given to charity, upon the turn
of the wheel. And thus the lottery
goes on In educating people into gam.
blers. preparing them for careers Of
crime, dcmoralizing the public--a gi-
gantic scheme Of legalized iniquity.
This corporation is an immoral one
in every respect. 1t Is a disgrace to our
State, u blot upon our civilization. and
every good citizen should exert
his influence for It's extirpation.
Let the House Of Representatives
then institute vigorous investigation
into the system OF bribery which voted
It upon us let men who have families.
and who would remove vile tempta-
ton from their children, ask If the
Legislature Of Louisiana had the right
to create monster scheme Of immor-
atty. And, on this Sunday morning,
let Christian men bear in mind that, in
this city, and ramifying this State,
there ia an agency Of sin, Of crime and
ruin. more powerful than all the
which rear their spires toward
the clouds-an agency whose advertise
ments of schemes OF chance, appealing
to the cupidity OF the human heart, are
finding q reader and deeper response
than will all the utterances OF the minis
ters Of religion. Against this pestiferous
creation every man who has the good OF
society at heart. should exert his influ-
ence. It is constantly growing In opu-
hence and power and its influence for
evil is constantly increasing. 1t is
moral, social and political evil, and the
moral, social and political element OF
Louisiana should combine to destroy It.
As the New Hampshire Republicans
have taken up the sickly whine about