The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-07-21


ing with the mob holding possession of
the railroad track.
PROSTITUTION OF ADJUSTMENTS.
To the true lover of outdoor sports
and recreations, which develop the mus
Gle and foster a manly spirit, it must be
matter of serious regret that the gam
bling spirit seems to have overcome
every other consideration in their pur-
suit. If betting be the argument of
fools, wise men apparently are becom-
ing rapidly scarce, for in the field on
the turf at the regatta or wherever the
uncertainty Of the contest offers the
chance of wager, the disposition to
gamble OH the result seems to constitute
the very pith and point of the pleasure
Indeed, it would be difficult to name
any recreation now INDUCED in by
American youth, and which can be con-
Quoted in public, that has not been dis
graced and debased by the infusion of
the gambling element The most nc
ticeable instance, possibly, illustrative
Of this fact is found in the rapid decline
of the public interest in what was but
a short time ago dignified by the title
of our National Game-base-ball As
an outdoor exercise, it was deservedlv
popular. Iii a wholesome and health
full pastime, well calculated to develop
physical strength, and grace, and as
such to be encouraged in preference to
other and more expensive diversions.
No sooner. however, had the game be-
come established in the public favor
than speculative sports" turned it
everywhere to the best individual ac-
count. What was designed originally
as a popular recreation soon become a
pet means of the professional gambler,
and the general public recognizing the
fact that the picked mines Were but
gamblers in disguise, withdrew its coun-
tenance and the game has fallen into
disrepute. Nor is this game exceptional
in this respect Our rowing crews,
with some exceptions, have lent them.
selves to the same folly, until our lake
! and river regattas have degenerated into
respectable gambling affairs. We do
not pretend to assert that as pastime
either the bat or the oar has been en-
tirely surrendered into the hands of old
professional or young amateur gam
blers, but we do contend that the gen.
eral tendency in either case is to con
vert both diversions into moncv-making
exhibitions rather than to restrict them
to their legitimate bects-innocent
pleasureabe exercise and diversion
By easy gradations downwards, skill
in craftsmanship has sought the same
profitable display in public Along
with the dice, the bat, and the oar, the
breech-loader has been prostituted by
the gamblers use The pseudo Bogar-
das, possibly the genuine champion, is
but gambler in disguise These enter.
prising gentry appreciate the seemingly
innate weakness of human r''ture &c
hang stake on any r'ssioie chahce
The Young gentlemen sitting at table
betting az. nes lighting on certain Jumps
of sugar Their feminine counterparts
wagering on the race of the rain-drops
as they course down the window pane
are the juvenile representatives of the
older, but holder, dice-throwers.
The ethical side of this question of the
degeneracy of our popular public pas
times we leave for the pulpit and the
religious press. The field is a wide one
and the harvest is ripe, awaiting the
clerical sickle. Our present object is
but to express the regret that pastimes
as fascinating as rowing, batting and
shooting are being ruined by gamblers
No one, of course, argues that the oar
the bat and the gun are to be given W
because scurvy fellows have, and are
using them as the dishonest means fol
disreputable ends, but to excite some
public interest in the defense of amuse
ments and recreations most admirable
in themselves. The responsibility Of
gambling is not involved in this ques.
ton. Nor can it be Gambling is dis.
reputable, and no means, however in.