Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-02-27
Gambling as a Social Evil.
i.p. TELLER:

ION upon many accusations of mis-
conduct. When | look auout among
my associates observe too many like
myself who must answer to the indict-
ment by IN Acknowledgement of guilt.
ldlcne--, intrmprrance and gambling
the young men. While intcmpereuce
is probably less prevalent than i'm wears
past, gambling Is more prevailing Gin
than ever before. The habits of indus
try are more or less regulated 10y sur
roundings and other minor conditions,
but the passion for games of chance is
becoming more fixed upon the young
men ofevery succeeding generation.
| One young man. an intelligent and
respected friend, admits that gambling
with him is Il terrible disease. He
tells with sobs of grief that shake his
strong frame that he is hopelessl;
afflicted with the disease. He has
fought against the ravages of it but it
has steadily gained control of his moral
nature in spite of his efforts to resist It's
influence. He says he has called to
his assistance all the manhood he pos
sessed II hundred times only to break
the good resolve at the first opportun-
lty. He admits that the habit is ruin
ing him in business and robbiny him
of high social position that belongs to
HIM as II natural right.
Gambling is, in many ways, the
worst pit.fall that lies in the path of
the young man. There are worse
habits than the mere wagering of the
paitry dollars that may belong to the
unfortunate victim of the habit, but
the other sins come so easily and so
surely in the train that they may all
be charged to the original sin. The
finer senslbilities are blunted by the
practice Of gambling and self respect is
sacrificed. The worst of criminals is
the one who is guilty i'm his own eyes
| The young man who CANDLES meets
his mother, sister and sweetheart as the
CONVICTED fel0n meets his accuser. He
walks about the streets, the home or
may he the church self accused and
under Il shadow that blights his higher
aspirations. The kanker takes hold
upon his soul and then the victim Is
diseased like the candid friend con.
fesses to be.
| There is something wrong in the
| n hat al
popular school to teach the cursed
habit of gambling. There is no effec-
tive restraint placed upon the young
men OF the land. No, there is mighty
force of public example to lead them to
this most direct road to ruin. There
should be more effective examples of
good morals held up before the young
men. The strongest precept is weak
without the force of example. There
are good men in the higher walks of
life who are worthy examples for the
aspiring youth to honor but the life
picture is too often presented in false
colors. There are noble men in the
ministry but they are not congenial
mark, for the average youth to emu
late. The devotional essential to
every code of church morals is repul-
sive to the nature of eXhuberant
youth. II there could he conserva.
tive cole of morals with the brilliant
politician, literary man or the man of
affair, AS II shining leader he could
have enthusiastic followers among thu
young men. The spirit of rebellion is
prominent In the young man and sub.
mission to church discipline is too
radical for acceptance. The need of
the age is happy half way ground
with organized workers for good morals
pure and simnle, with the highest
possible Intelligence goal worthy of
all possible efforts. 1t is wrong be>
cause the effect Is lest to try to humil-
late man to reform. IT the teaching
should he made popular that heroic
efforts to become wise We're the grand
est of mortal deeds there would be.
more moral heroes. The teachings of
the churches have place above all
! other human efforts, but there should
be n moral school prosecuted with as
much Zeal as the work of the churches
| Is prosecuted.
The heroic prevails in masculine
humanity as an universal passion, and
humiliation is repulsive to conten-
plate. If the most moral and intelli-
gent character in the society circle
were eXtolled as a hero there would be
scramble tor the honor that would
leave the gambling hall empty with its
dismal echoes. But who are the
heroes in society, in the halls of pleas
ure and i'm the public walks of life:
The stupid child of fortune with all
his faults is the guest of honor while
wit and wisdom do him homage.
Sister, mother and the minister honor
the same social heroes aud he does not
| wear his epaulets for moral worth or