The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-30
THE REAL QUESTION.

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The advocates Of general lottery bill
have displayed great ingenuity Ii shifting
the issues involved IN The question, not only
before the public, but In the General Assem-
bly,. One would naturally have been pre-
pared to hear profound and elaborate arRu-
ments upon points involving grave questions
81 constitutional law, and full discussion oi
the causes which hare led to the asserted
change In public sentiment concerning a
business which, but few months ago, was re-
Rarded ~ moral pestilencs and was de-
nounced as under the ban OF civilized ma
lions.
We were gravely told that the lottery was
an unmixed evil, q primary school for gam
bling, that II was teaching servants to steal
the money Of their employers. making swlnd-
lers and thievesof clerks, and had debauohcd
ministers vi the gospel.
Instead Of legal arguments, or any reason
able explanation Of o change Of sentiment
upon the part Or the people of the State, We
are treated daily to the most savage attacks
upon the Louisiana Lottery and upon the
Press, coupled with the most voeiferous pro-
testations az to the immaculate character and
patriotic purposes Of the innocent capitalists
who are seeking to fasten upon Louisiana the
shame and responsibility Of fifteen years
authorization Of . business which h con-
demned ana reprubated ~ nine-tenthe Of the
nations Of the earth, md BY almost every
State In the Union.
We take no exceptions to their abuse Of the
Louisiana Lottery Company; on the contra
sinfulness should, with Ill reasonable men.
be an additional argument against adding to
the evil. II two wrongs cannot make right,
how Ave, or six. or ten evils II worse char
acter ore 10 better our moral condition, II be-
pond our comprehension.
Tha shriekings Or our lottery advocates
when they howl Louisiana Lottery" every
time an attempt IL made to calmly and dis
passlonstely discuss the moral phase OF this
question, has but one parallel In history, and
that WAS when Jim Blaine Was assailed In
connection with the 'Mulligan" letters.
With shrek and ro&r he sprang to the
front and oonjured up the ghost Of .
new rebellion, and shaking aloft the
garment. charged an imaginary
army Of Confederate brigadiers. The result
WAS an escape with his official skin and IN en-
tire shifting Of the Issue 10 find himself at
the head Of the noble army Of Northern
And 30 Il II with the advo-
Q Ates and lobbyists who are pressing the In
terests Of the German Cuban American lot
terry combination.
When charged With corrupt purposes and
with . scheme to swindle, not only the peo-
pie generally. but the State government,
they Get up such shouts a. rend the dir
against brother concern In iniquity, and
with pious calculations against the Louisiana
Lottery, they cry Cruelty" Ii order to hide
their own iniquity.
We do not think that the General Assembly
will. upon reflection, fail 70 see through this
system Of warfare. and we trust and believe
that this question will receive more calm
and deliberate consideration than II has here
tofore had.
Il IL not question to be decided In the heat
81 passion. but each and every member Of
The General Assembly owes It to himself and
his constituents TO weigh well every consid-
GRAFTON touching either the moral or material
welfare Of his people, and to remember that
Il the Louisiana Lottery Company and the
Press should prove to be oil that they have
been painted BY lottery enthusiasts, It will
not make the lottery business other than q
curse 10 Louisiana, which they will either
coniihe 10 its present limits or increase In
scope and power for evil by their votes.