The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-10-22
THE NAL GLASSES,

peared In Acapulco. .s
THE NAL GLASSES.
The Prison Reform association has
been in session for several days In
Detroit, Mich. A majority of men
are not ia the least disturbed about
the condition. of the criminal classes,
Their only thought is to build prisons
|sutficiently secure as to protect their
persons and property from the -depre-
dstions OF those guilty of crime.
Fortunately for the humanity of the
world, there are q number of able men
actuated by broader and more com.
prehensive philanthrophy, andwhose
energies have been given 20 the
amelioration and reform of tho
criminal classes. n
These men have unitel4H associa-
tions, and by first teaching the true
object OF the penal laws and impress
ing their oSn humanity on others,
they have cultivated more general
sympathy for this heretofore unfor-
tunate people. lr,.r, .,e,t..i ,Ssv a
These associations have done more
than merely to theorise ON this sul,-
jeet-they have gone into the prisons,
reported to the world their condition,
and they have offered practical relief
to the prisoners, and have had, even
on the prisoners, very beneficial et-
feet.
Such associations deserve the highest
Communications and aid In co-opera>
ton and material help. >evsd s,zts
The law Is too humane to reaard
punishment as primary object, tho
object of punishment In the 1contenl.
plation of the law Is not to revenge
the deed, as many seem to suppose.
but to reform the man guilty of the
deed. In an organic state Of society
when life and property Is insecnre, We
are too apt to limit tha object to The
penalty and leave the prisoner to suf-
fer for his misdeeds without Offering 4
mode of escars from such a life, Eul I
as society grows older and life, proper
ty and reputation, become more
secure, thoughtful m revert to the,
real object of punishment, refoi -
tion, and animated by y -Aums
that regards no man too depN
recover his integrity and
are endeayoring to rescueu
pie from total depravity
long eRmity to society anc
There are very few
world who have totally and u
ly lost all the germs of good, and tlio
is manner Of cultivating that Rerm
into the governing principle of his
nature. Just as long as the slightest
human affection exists In the hes1
aan, he is capable of reformat}
~ De Gguf, a,aAetfffsa ft hay 4 only be-
the recollection of an old, sad, pale
faced mother, who has long passed
away to another habitation mot made
with hands," That dim recollection
is enough to encourage the efforts of.
the best and most valuable men, to
rescue that man from criminality,
and clothe him with a new individu-
ality and manhood. T.. 49,
Then is it not worth while for every,
community to organize such associs.
tions, not as suxilaries Of the church,
but upon the more worldly principle
Of humanity, in reforming and max
ing good citizens out of our criminal
classes? 49,. -.--.. n.
1t may seem q herculean task, but.
it is work from which NJ true citizen
under the highest obliR 1tions Of citi.
zenship dare shirk OF leave to soma
one else. ,- .,
It really seems that this duty falls
with the greatest force upon the up-
right judges Of the land, who know
so much and have 80 much to
do with this class of people,
because they know all about their
condition, and their positions give
them more influence, both to stir up
general effort, and their power upon
and influence of. the crimiH1i
naturally would exera
formatory influence
ought to be apps o
raised in christiai
when the young are
should not be allowet
with hardened orimina.
feats the object Of the y
ton. Therefore, every
ought to have reformatory
tions for the young. Then, too, a.
who have not been convicted Of Grim
should be treated until convicted witt
the same consideration the law view
them-innocent until found guilty.
But these suggestions are bat th
first steps to the reform contemplate
by associations tor the reform of pris
. oners. The field ia too wide to cove
in a newspaper article, and the onl
objet this article is to attempt {
aIousc sdblie sentiment In behalf G
this principle of humanity that Is gair
ing q better footing in the world.
? The Catholic world Is excited ov,
the successor of Cardinsi McC Closke
I ! New York Catholics Claim it for Arcl
3 bishop Corrigani Boston Catholi,
. claim it will ne Archbishop William
D and Chicago expects Archbishe