The Opelousas courier., 1890-05-03
Correspondence.
OPELOUsAs. La. April 25th. 1885,

EDITOR OPELOUSAS COURIER
In the st. Landry Democrat of April
18th, there appeared over the nom de-
plume of "Civis," II communication in
reply to one of mine which had been
published in the Democrat the week be-
fore. 1t seems that "Civis" has some
very pointed and decided objections to
the use OF a nom de, plume on my part,
and In order to emphasize those objec-
tions, he proceeds to use a nom-de-
plume himself. A man who advocates
a bold personal utterance on the part of
others ought, it would seem to fair
! minded men, to do the bold act himself
and give his own name. But | do not
care who "Civis" " is; it is with the ar
guments of "Civis," and not "Civis y
himself, that propose to deal. 1t is of
no consequence to "Civisn who "Busi-
ness" is; he must deal with the argu-
ments advance. But it does seem very
strange that one nom de- plume should
personal identity is concealed 1t
doesn't look right it looks peculiar
But enough of nom de -plumes. / want
to say something about the matter at
issue.
"Civisn does not deny that George
| Washington and Thomas Jefferson were
the fathers of lotteries" He does not
deny it because those statesmen lCere
| the "fathers of lotteries" as every stu
well. 1t may be news to "Civis" that
Virginia, the mother Of states and
statesmen" Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts, and Connecticut, all es-
tablished lotteries for educational and
public objects until they got out of the
financial woods. They stopped it when
they were able to take care of them
selves. So ought we but if "Civisn
can suggest any plan by which Louisi
ana can support her insane, her deaf and
dumb, her blind and her afflicted, as
we'll as provide education folathe chill
dren of the state, with the present rate
of taxation, he ought to come to the
front when the Legislature meets, and
men there assembled, his patent process
for reaching such result. If "Civis"
wishes to advocate a rejection of lot
terry chartetaand an increased taxation
at one and tne same time, he ought to
say so SO that the people may know ex-
actly the situation they have to face. 1t
is clear to my mind that we must do one
of three things: increase our present
rate of taxation accept the proposal for
a lottery charter ; or let our blind, halt
and MANNED shift for themselves, and
trust to moral sentiment" for food and
sraiment, medicine and medical attend
ance. 1t is always best to recognize
hard facts and not talk sentiment when
we are in desperate straits. "Civis"
may talk sentiment, but other people
Will talk cash just at this juncture.
To revert to George Washington a
moment. Let me call "Civis" attention
to the following document, the original
Of which is in-the museum to which |
referred in my former communication.
Here is the document:
'1786. This ticket d76) shall entitle
the possessor to whatsoever prize may
happen to be drawn against its number
in the Mountain Road Lottery.
Go. WAsH1NGToN.n
Now, what does "Civisn think of this +?
II all frnpod men oppose lotteries, and
all wlfo favor them are bad and sinful
and wicked and deprayed, where is
George Washington now? Is "Ciyis"
willing to go where George Washing
ton is now, or does he want better COM
pany? In my capacity as an humble
the trumpet is sounded, to go with
George Washington, even though "Ci-
Wis" be a dweller elsewheyB. George
Washington is good enough for ME, andt
so is Thomas Jefferson. ,1n
| desire to direct the attentiOnHfof
"Ciyis" to another matter. Reverend
Samuel Seabury, the father of the great
Bishop Seabury, known for his benevoS
lence and religious fervor, ib3ited the
following memorandum in his diary:
"The ticket (58S6) in the Light House
and Public Lotteries of New York, has
drawn in my favor, by the blessing of
Almighty God. five hundred pounds
sterling, for which | now record to my
posterity nay good gifts"
Is Bishop Seabury, in the opinion of
"CiVis,D among the damned Tt is very
hard to beiievein in the logic advanced by
the very able writer to whom | have
several times referred-my nom de-
plume friend "Ciyis." If his logic be
correct, Bishop Seabury is now where
none OF us want to go-if we can help
it.
Does "Civis" know that Christ Church
in New Orleans, the first Protestant
church established in that city, had its
origin in a lottery? And is it not doing
great good to- day way ould "Ciyisn con-
sign every body A6aqinisery institution to
Or now believe. sae Ite Iottery ge'1shHd Which
pays fair license for its privilege is a
good thingq | can hardly believe it.
Would sCivis" advise me to take my
chances for the hereafter with George
Washington and Bishop Seabury, or
with himself9 1t is momentous issue,
and he must decide it.
My able friend, who sneers at my
NOM -de-plume (and uses one himself;
who objects to the statement that Wash
ington and Jefferson were the fathers
of lottery companies, makes another
very bad break. He quotes the follow
ing statement from me:
"The French government often es-
tablishes lottery to make up a deficit
between the receipts and expenditures
of the republic. They have pros
pered more in the last twenty years
than any other nation in Europe.n
And upon this he comments as fol-
lows:
aThe statement has recently .been published
in a city paper Of wide circulation and not de-
MED, as far as the present writer knows, that
the French government has prohibited all lot
tc5.ies, basing its action upon the deIa0ra1ising
effect of such q system OF gambling upon the
reported that it spread among al classes
gambling spirit destructive OF economy and
orderly habits, upon the maintenance of which
organized society in Q great measure S rests.
system of gambling in order to bring the peo-
PIE back to legitimate pursuits and habits
nc my worthy antagonist will kindly
permit, I should like to call his atten
tiOn to the following telegram which
appeared in the New York and st. Louis
papers Of April 10th, 1890. take it
from the Globe Democrat of that date.
Here it is:
s1Es1 DAN Ma IVA Al