The fostering power which _intemperance_ derives from the excitements of the gaming-table, would itself prove an effectual argument against this monstrous infatuation, if no other existed. But when we find intoxication, only one of a legion of vices that attend on it--and that fraud, cheating, forgery, swindling, robbery, murder, and suicide, are its unfailing companions--we may well marvel that it should find any man so reckless of public opinion, as to venture its championship. Mr. Freeman went so far in this mad advocacy of his darling pursuit, as to justify _suicide_! In this, however, he was perfectly consistent--for if gaming of any kind is right, so is murder, robbery, and suicide. In this, Mr. Freeman over-reached himself--and by attempting too much, exposed the futility and weakness of his case.
One fact, of a highly useful import, was established by this debate--and having received the concurrent attestation of Mr. Freeman, must now be considered as no longer open to doubt--that _cheating_ is a necessary part of gaming, from which even _honourable_ gamblers--(what a revolting solecism!)--do not shrink! But this is not the worst of the admissions made, in the course of this debate--which we here enumerate:
1. The winner is always in danger of murder--and runs for his life.
2. The loser becomes a cheat, a murderer, a suicide, or a drunkard.
3. The tortures of the damned are common to all gamblers, winners and losers.
4. Deception and lying are their common attributes.
5. Outlawed by public opinion--they wage implacable war against the morals, peace, and happiness of society.
So many allusions have been made to the Laws of Ohio and Pennsylvania against gambling, that it is thought necessary to append them here, that the reader may judge for himself how far the charges of impolicy, partiality, and non-efficiency are justified by these instruments.
[_Law of Pennsylvania for the Suppression of Gambling, drafted by_ J. H. GREEN.]
SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same_, That if any person shall keep a room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, to be used or occupied for gambling, or shall, knowingly, permit the same to be used or occupied for gambling; or if any person, being the owner of any room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, shall rent the same to be used or occupied for gambling, the persons so offending shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in any sum not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars; and if the owner of any room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, shall know that any gaming-tables, apparatus, or establishment is kept or used in such room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, for gambling, and winning, betting, or gaining money, or other property, and shall not forthwith cause complaint to be made against the person so keeping or using such room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, he shall be taken, held, and considered to have knowingly permitted the same to be used and occupied for gambling.