The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-19
WHERE THE 1HrANY7'


Vices, are to be held up to the people Of the
State as infamous.
Brave words, these: but who will dare at
tempt to carry out q threat which savors
more of the swashbuckler than the patriot.
Low. indeed. must the representatives Of this
State have fallen II they are to be influenced
by aporings like this. We can readily I'M
derstand how individuals engaged In plotting
the preparation Of some hideous wrong. men
who have stilled their consciences and In pur-
suit Of gain would give over society itself to
moral pestilence, should tremble and grow
pale at the thunders Of righteous indlgna-
ton. or from fear Of an avenaing Nemesis In
the shape of an outraged public opinion, but
we do not believe that members Of the Gen
eral Assembly, actuated by a desire to do
their sworn duty, and In all OF their acts re-
cord their purpose to promote the happiness
and welfare Of the people, will do otherwise
than treat such manifestations with the scorn
and contempt they merit.
The day has passed In this State when a
q eneral Assembly can be dragooned or
coerced by press or combinations composed
Of Individuals. however high In station, in-
flue initial or talented, In the exercise Of that
wisdom, Judgment and discretion which a
co hiding people demand shall be used In
the ir service, and. speaking for ourselves, we
say assuredly that no such consideration
shall weigh feathers weight In shaping the
course or the DEMOCRAT against measures
which In onr opinion will do more to debauch
society, impoverish our people and dishonor
the State than the ten years orgie Of Radical
rule inLouisiana.
How stands the question now before the
people2
In defiance Of public sentiment which had
placed a ban Upon lottery gambling almost
throughout the civilized world, q Radical Leg
islature OF Louisiana granted a charter to the
Louisiana Lottery Company, and legalized
business the more destructive to public
morals because Of the fact that It could be
carried on protected by law and connected
with the life and maintenance Of an institu-
ton devoted to the public good.
1t does not at all change the opinion Of the
people as to the moralityo Of this business be-
cause Of the fact that the highest courts Of the
land protect charters OF this character after
the sovereign power Of the State has invested
them with the sacred character Of contracts.
The evil effect is lessened, It is true, BY the
supervision Of incorrupt men, whose names
and characters serve to protect the public
from the grosser and more pernicious effects
of irresponsible management and unbridled
license, but none Of these considerations
change the opinion OF q Christian eommu-
nifty, wherein new generation Is growing up.
soon to be charged with the duty OF law
makers and trainers OF society.
The question now presented for the con-
OF the General Assembly is whether
or not the public welfare will be promoted by
the passage OF a law which will draw to Lou
islana the shrewd and unprincipled lottery
and policy dealers that have infested all the
great cities Of Europe and America.
Will the General Assembly Of new Louisi-
ana throw around this vice the mantle OF viz
tue, under which the whole moral and social
system Of our State may be corrupted and
Will they belle the symbol Of
our statehood, and instead Ct parental
government, nourishing the young and ele-
waiting the standard OF morality, will they
expose the growing generation
to tenfold temptation, and, influences which
must debase and not elevate
This Is the real question, and no amount Of
legal quibbling can disguise 1t. The issue Ia
presented by combination OF lottery repre-
sentatives from New York, Kentucky,
Georgia, Havana and the German Lottery,
represented and championed by some Of the
leading influences In our politics, and sus-
tanned by money which they are ready and
willing to use without stint for the accom-
plishment Of their purposes.
Already formidable lobby has been organ
lied and may be observed openly at work In
the halls OF legislation. and some Of the par
ties seeking legislation. with less discretion
than audacity, proclaim what it will cost
them to secure lottery privilege.
Fortunately for Louisiana the General As
sembly Of her chosen people are far removed
from the influence OF their money, and can
afford to laugh at their threats. They will do
their duty to society uninauenoed by either,
and II infamy Is to be the reward OF any per-
son or persons growing out OF q decision on
this question, 1t will rest upon those who seek
to jeopardlze the public welfare, and not upon
those who save the State from consequences
50 fraught with disaster.