ality would result from
such laws than from the vice itself--for it was a violation of one of
the rights of man on the mere score of expediency. He contended,
therefore, that men had a perfect right to do what they pleased with
their own things, so long as they did not interfere with the rights of
others. A drunkard could not drink without disturbing other people--why
not make his a Penitentiary offence? Yet a gambler was considered a
Penitentiary offender, though he did not interfere with the rights of
others.

What were speculators in railroads, &c. &c.?--Why many of them gamblers
on the largest scale!

In noticing the temptations of gambling, Mr. F. said that he and other
gamblers had often warned youths against entering upon that dangerous
course, and had thus saved them from ruin.

Mr. F. argued against the law recently enacted at Harrisburg against
gambling, on the ground that it was partial and unjust.

One of the strangest things was, that a man who had been imprisoned, had
been an outcast himself, should be the first to betray, and to place
others in the same situation, and send them to the Penitentiary. Yet
such was the case with the gentleman who had come from Ohio to
Harrisburg to assist in obtaining the passage of the law against
gambling.

Mr. Green replied, and defended the law in question, as it was passed in
Pennsylvania; and read a section, in which gamblers, without a fixed
residence, were, upon conviction, to be imprisoned, &c.; and Mr. G. said
that although no games were mentioned, yet all gambling games were
included. Mr. G. admitted that he had been a gambler for many years, and
had done much evil to the community--as much as most evil men--but he
was now, he hoped, reformed. Mr. G. then contended that several
gambling-houses and tables had been closed under this law--and surely
this was a great advantage to the public--surely such closing of
gaming-houses had saved many persons from ruin.

Mr. Green gave much experience of his gambling life, and contended that
principles of honour were not common among gamblers. Gambling was a
principle of robbery--of robbery from beginning to end. If gambling was
right--why, Mr. Green would ask--did the former speaker persuade young
men not to come into gambling-houses? Mr. Green described a splendid
gambling-house in Calvert street, Baltimore, and the snares of robbery
laid for the unwary--and the method adopted to entrap a rich and unwary
citizen. The