The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-07-11
A Plea for Liberty.

A Plea for Liberty.
Editor Mirror
l want to 90 home! Now l know very
well that you have nothing to do with my
coming or going. or if you had you might
probably tell me to stand not upon the
order of my going but to 60 at once. You
can, however. call the attention of those
who are more Immediately interested in my
presence. to the matter, and they may.
probably, be induced to past with an UNI
willing guest. My position here is identi-
cal with that of the Irishman who served
on the Confederate side during the late war
II volunteered against my will" In
fact, l am labOring under the impression
that am getting more than was coming to
me- and as have long since come to the
conclusion to never again taHe that which
does not belong 70 me- l wish to be deliv-
cred from temptation. In the confusion
attendant upon my parting interview with
the Judge failed to comprehend the eX-
act meaning of his closing remarks. There
were four of us to be prescribed for (all for
the same cOmplaint) and the dose admins
tered was four years. Now. whether his
honor meant that the dose was to be equal
ly divided between us, or that we were each
to have the full dose, is what | am in doubt
about, and | contend that we should be
given the benefit of the doubt. In my Opin-
ion. the majesty OF the law has been more
than indicated in my particular case, and
/ know of no good or sufficient reason why
! should not be allowed to take my depart
IRE at once. OF course. have formed ties
here which may find very painful to ruth
lessly sever. but when the time comes. l
think may be depended upon to rise equal
to the occasion. There are many and vari-
Gus reasons why my stay here should not be
prOtracted. In the first place, when acting
upon the advice of the lamented Horace
Greeley, | concluded to go west" l
intended that my trip should be one of very
brief duration. and should be for purposes
of observation only. 1t has been unduly
prolonged, and owing to circumstances over
which have no control, | AM prevented
from giving the topography of the country
the attention which the subject demands.
Another reason which has placed this notion
of migrating uppermOst in my mind. is the
near approach of the time when the free
men OF this country will be called upon to
CtIcOSC d CHlCl ilIdSlSttdtc lOI tlS cilSuiIlS
four years. | am DESTROYS of joining their
ranks, and of having voice in the proceed
ings, and of giving the benefit of my exper-
fence to those who will exercise the right of
suffrage for the first time. Since my en-
forced absence from home, the usual MAORI
ties Of the party to which | was attached.
have decreased TO an alarming extent |
belonged to that G. o. p. which has for
one of its cardinal maXimS the admOnitOn
to vote early and often" and to see to it
that even dead men are registered, always
providing that they vote right; Is it any
wonder, then, that when the country is on
the eve OF what promises to be one of the
most mOmentOus political struggles in its
history. that | should 50 ardently long to
again enter the arena as participant?
Should such a patriotic desire be thwarted?
hope not. and anXiOusly await the sum-
mons bidding me to again take my place in
the ranks of the ''unterrifed."
l never realized that | had so fond an
attachment tor home until some time had
elapsed after my arrival here under escort.
The attachment has grown steadily day by
day until it has become my one absorbing
passion, and greatly impairs my usefulness
as ward OF the state. Time has been
when | failed to manifest so lively an inter
est in domestic affairs. | have dim rec
objection of an earlier period of my life
passed at home, in which did not seem to
appreciate. to its full extent, the comfort
and convenience that are to be found only
under the parental roof. 20 back in mem
DRY 10 the time when, after my labor for
the day was at an end. and had partaken
OF my evening repast. l would sally forth
in quest of amusement. and on pleasure
bent. Accompanied by choice selection
of boon companions. l would attend some
theater or similar place of amusement after
which we would adjourn to the nearest sa-
loon and proceed to fill up with LIQUID
refreshment, that not only cheered but
inebrated. We would than nrua,,izo onr