The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-03-28
ssAll,s Well That Ends Well.,,

of our Flaw abiding community is assured,
permit me as one of the participants in the
late combat to say few words in eXplana-
ton of my course on that occasion. ''Ern-
est" first made his appearance in THE MIR
RoR in series of two articles which were
published in the same ISSUE and his theme
in each was reform. No person would have
believed that they emanated from the same
source ESQ utterly inconsistent were they)
had not the number (46S) of his residence
appeared at the bottom of each. One
showed cOncluSively how a simon-pur
article of reform might be attained. while
the other treated the subject in satirical
and ridiculous light. To the latter L took
exception and answered in the same man
ner in which he had written. He again
took the field and devoted himself to me ex-
cluSlvely in a manner more vigorous than
complimentary. l answered him, and it is of
this answer 1 would speak. Now that l
have had time for mature reflection [ find
that | have made use of some expressions
lin the heat of controversy that l was not
justified in using. and which 1 would on no
account have used had l taken time for con-
sideratiOn, When in the discussion of a
subject we allow ourselves to degenerate
| to personalities, it ceases to be an argu-
ment, and we often say things that had
better have been left unsaid, the effect of
which. no matter how much we may regret
it. can never be wholly eradicted. l now
find myself in this position and most willing
ly make such amend as in my power lies. |
discard everything Of personal nature
which Imay have previously said, and now
that the war is over, am willing to strike
hands across the bloody chasm.'
| | hope that Ernest will receive this
explanation in the spirit in which it is
offered, and will admit that he, too. is not
blameless of erring in the same manner in
which offended. Should he not, will be
forced to say that [ have again formed
wrong estimation of the author of ''JOsiars
Visit to the Prison." the sentiments of
+, which |, and | believe all of our fellOW-un-
fortunates, heartily indorse.
TO such of our friends behind the bars
who no doubt were amused or disguised
spectators of the fray" and who stood
alOof while the battle ragged fiercIy crying,
Hit 'em again'-tO such say that banker
after little diversion of that kind, just
wait awhile and cast your eyes through the
medium of the press to the most important
events transpirng in the world beyond the
wa Oul llIllt lCuUS VIII uWlINlc IltO
inSignificance when compared with those
with which the outside public will soon be
RECALLED During the coming merry month
OF June the two great political parties of
the country will assemble in National Con-
ventiOn and place in nomination for cleo
ton to the highest office within the gift of
the people, two men who, if precedent be
followed, will be the worst abused men in
the country for the time being.
1t seems to me that little reform" in
the mode of conducting political campaigns
would not be out Of order. Is it any Won
der that the example thus shown in the very
highest circles should be initiated, and that
we who are temporarily banished from the
scene of strife should occasionally forget the
common courtesy due each other? But tits
said that anything is fair in love. war, or
politics." this may be true to certain ex-
tent, but when it comes to defaming a
mans character on the most flimsy pre-
texts, merely.becauSe he is a candidate for
office, it is in my humble opinion carrying
matters to extremes.
Mr.. Editor, have you never been told
(while at school l mean) that you were
eligible to be elected president of the United
States, and that it only required that you
should Invariably speak the truth las did G.
w. of Old) and cultivate ambition and all
that sort of thing, and that you would in
all probability some day ''get there?" If
not you have escaped the fate of the youth
of my schoolboy days. and have been cheat
ed out of a most important element of your
education, as it used to be considered that
the schoolmaster who failed to set the
''presidential bee" buzzng in the craniums
OF his pupils was totally unqualified for the
duties he was called upon to perform. All
the boys in our school had the presidency"
held up to their admiring gaze as an incen-
tive to their studies. but as yet have not
heard of any of their names being mentioned
in connection with the office. The nearest
approach to the goal of his ambition made
nv humhIQ ic IL, fho ,bor Of