The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1892-01-30
Cardinal Gibbons Letter.
CARDINALS RESIDENCE J
Baltimore, Nd, Jan. III, 1892 \

Cardinal Gibbons writes a letter on
the lottery question which Is comment
ell on by Archbishop JenMssens. We pu.
blish to-day the letter and the comments
for the benefit OF our readers.
My Dear Sir:-In reference to our con.
versation this morning and prescribing
from all political aspects of the case,
wish to express to you the hope that the
efforts of those who like yourself. are
opposing the renewal of the Louisiana
Lottery charter. will result in the sup
preston of the evil that now rests on the
fair State Of Louisiana.
heartily commend every movement
in favor Of public morality virtue and
honesty, and 1t seems to me that the
question-shail the Louisiana Lottery
continue under the laws protection its
scandalous business-is pre-eminentiy
one of morality and virtue. The practi-
cal working of the company tends to en-.
rich the few at the expense and misery
OF the many; to tempt the poor and those
who can as little afford it to squander
their earnfngs-tAe only support Of de-
pendent mothers, wives and children
in the vain delustve tantaius.like hope
OF one day becoming pcssesscrs Of a win.
ming numSer, and oftentimss it is un-
known that the fever OF gambling has
impeiied many to theft aud dishonesty
for the means of another venture OF pur.
chasing another ticket A business
whose plain manifest, inevitable result
and Influence on the people rs such Is
indeed an enemy that the honesty and
OF any community, to the happiness and
comfort of home and to individual thrift
and enterprise, and 1t is the duty Of
every upright citizen aud earnest Chris
tian TO aid In its dethronefnent or SUD.
preston.
Christian charity and nuturai phii.
anthropy alike dictate that We remove
from the uDwarry the pitfalls of distruc.
ton and withdraw the innocent and
weak from temptation. Those bent of
suicide should be restrained. Tho burn.
ing fagot should be snatched from the
child's hand, That the Louisiana Lot.
terry. as it is presented to us, proves a
snare and delusiOn to thousand and is
Obstructive to peace Of mind and energy
OF action, so necessary to pursue honor
able careers. and to properly acQuit one
self OF life's duties, We cannot doubt.
The daily operations of the scheme make
the point clear. Worthy then Of praise
and commentator are they who strive
to quicken the public sentiment against
the continuance Of the evil--who speak |
and labor In behalf of their fellow. men |
BY removing from their midst dire en-.
envy to their manhood. their homes and
their prosperity.
Were the evil confined solely to the
State OF Louisiana should refrain from
giving expression to my sentiments, but
since like giant tree. 1t has extended
Its branches over the entire land. and
in the area Of its operations
Maryland and the District of Columbia
with which am connected. I could not
but raise my voice in protest and in
praying that our faithful people might
help to put forward the good work Of
putting an end to its ravages. am
with much respect, yours, faithfully in
Christ' j. Cardinal Gibbons.
TO General Geo. d. Johnston.
In connection with the above repor.
Ter OF the New Delta called on Arch.ti
shop Janssehs. When asked IL he had
'ead the Cardinals letter,
YES I have" responded.
What do you think Of it?
Il like its tone very much" he replied.
Are you willing to make statement
'ased on 1t for publications." Il
To this question. the archbishop with.
ut any hesitation responded; # an.
horize you to publish The New Delta
hat unquali6edly indorss every word
nd sentiment contained In Cardinal
'ibbons' letter.
DO you wish to add anything further?
what more Is there to say? The lot. ,
cry ID perhicious; IL has been aud is the Z
ause OF great deal of suffering and .
erhsps Of crime. It ought to be .bo. q
shed. My position. however. on this ,
uestion has been known 10 the Catholic i
lergy for long time. I do not believe q
here is bishop or Catholic clergyman a
the United States but thinks the sams /,