THE CASE AGAINST GAMBLING
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin, The education of public opinion, rather than political expedients must be tried if the present gambling craze is to be stemmed. So much Canon Green admits in his lucid exposition of the evil. His definition of gambling is distinctly helpful ; but does he touch the mainspring and explain at all adequately the probable first-cause of the growth of the gambling spirit in late years ? In a materialistic and pleasure- bent age, there has occurred a certain dulling of the individual and public conscience, a diminished appreciation of the fine distinctions between right and wrong, a slacker understanding of the reaction of private indulgence upon public custom. Too often does the example of one person set the fashion
of the populace. Lord X has his pound on a horse," we hear the working man exclaim, " so why shouldn't I have may shilling ? " Precedent and failure of conscience must be set down as the twin first causes of the growth of the gambling evil ; and no measures to combat it will have the remotest hope of success which do not take account of the psychology of our people. " Those whom the gods would destroy they first make mad," is an old saying worthy to be remembered at this time. The gambling habit is as surely sapping the moral fibre of the nation to-day as debauchery and luxuriousness swept away the foundations of the Roman Empire centuries ago. It is immorality in another and more cancerous form. Unless some definite propaganda is quickly set on foot to offset present unhealthy tendencies, we shall soon witness the introduction into Parliament of measures to legalize lotteries and other pernicious forms of gambling.
The law is admittedly in a very unsatisfactory state, and it only requires slight further public approval of a growing custom for lotteries under the cloak of charity to be given the doubtful blessing of legislation. Let the clergy do their duty from the pulpit ; let our leaders of opinion show by their example and speeches that this rotting influence in our life is not to be longer tolerated ; and let it be inculcated into the minds of the people that public gambling is a thing that is vicious and not consistent with self-respect and a due sense of communal responsibility. We are all vital units of a great and proud nation ; and our individual acts have their inevitable repercussions on the national morale. Liberty of the subject must not be confused with licence. That which we possess is not ours to do entirely with as we like. We only hold it in trust. Riches are a responsibility, not a toy to toss whither we list. The principle is true whether one is millionaire or artisan. We must each of us understand our duty to the community ; and this duty is not fulfilled if we indulge in the quest of " something for nothing " or engage in any habit which involves exchange without relative service. I am no Puritan in the modern interpretation of the word ; but we could very well do with a renewal of the simple spirit of Wesley at this critical time. Let men of the piety, intellectuality and clear-sightedness of Canon Green set the ball rolling in the direction of a keener public conscience and of a better appreciation of where our best national interests lie.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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