Political Gambling

The following is from the Richmond Whg. "A gentleman lias reqnested me to bet five thoiisond dollars (hot Mr. Clay will be elected next President, if he lives. The amount bet to be immediately invested ín six por cent. ptock ofihe State of Virginia, so that it 111 ay carry interest from the time of betting. JAMES H. LYNCH. Most persons regard snch offers as Ihis as the effect ofiittlo wit and a ful! purse, as being more the result of folly thtn of cunnin?. But it would appear tliat such bets re often designed to discourage othersofa different polilical faitb, who are poorand cunnot match them. It might he easy for either party to raise n jjenernl fnnd for betlinjr. and pursue it syslemntcnlly in every State. Offers through the principo] papers of a party, to bet large snms, backed np at the popular elections bv brawling bullies, who could personaally dare their opponents lo put down the stake6, might exert a powerful influence on the ignornnt and simple, provided the challenge were not met by the opposite party; and if it were met, the practice ofpolitical gambling would b?come general. All sucb propositions should be frowned upon by the virtnous part of community. If Mr. Clay or Mr. Van Buren cannot be electPd wilhout being gamhlcd mto the Presidency, let some other man be chosen.- In some rmarks on this offer of Mr. Lynch, tbc Pennsylvanian justly says: in politics, the invitation to make a wager on the resull should be regarded as litlle better than a down right affront. It muy be all in character nt a horse race or a cock fight; it ie, nerhnps, b fitlinr accompanimont to the "dicer's oath;1' nnd over the talilo of hazard it may be opproprinie enough; but let not this wrelclied thing be suffered io taint the policy or a greot nation and contribnte to decide who shall be ceated in its prpsidential chnir. If i be begun, it will not only spread mischief and wrptcliedness throiiffhont tr. land, but so sióft the mora! tone of our peoplo, tbat vears wi'Jnot rescue them from the degradalion.'Mr. S. D. Simonds, of the Marshall Statesman, has ceased to bo its Editor, hav'mg resumed his vocation as a preacher of the Gospel. Wh le under lñs charge, Ihe Stutesman was the most candid Whff paper n the State, and not inferior to any in abilily.