The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-06-20
How to Establish a Good Character.

There are great many people in this
world who think there is no reform for the
man or woman who has been in prison.
They also brand every man as thief and a
liar who has been in prison. which is gross
mistake. There are men doing time i'll
prisons for offences that do not cast even a
shadow of reflection upon their business
integrity. But we need not 60 even to the
prison to find subjects for those doubtful
minded people. You may take, for in
stance. young man brought up from youth
in a certain community. so that he is known
by large number of people. During this
period of his life he is known as reckless.
unprincipled fellow. He leaves home and
goes among strangers He has now, SO to
speak, to begin new life, for. separated
from those who knew him, he is set to
thinking of his past life. and sees himself
as others saw him. He then resolves to do
differently. 1t is then that. that some
thing" they tell us we all possess, asserts
itself. and he leaves the downward course
he has been pursuing and commences a
life which is the direct opposite to his for
mer course.
Time passes Oh; he has been from home
ten or fifteen years. He has gained wealth
has become a moral man, respected in
the community in which he lives. Let this
man return to his former home, and the
chances are nine to one that he will be held
in the same estimation in which he was
held at the time he went away. You ask,
''Why is it SOP" Because his former life is
indellibly stamped upon their minds, and
the great majority of mankind like to con-
denim.
Reform means more than we are aware
of. We are now under lock and key,
clothed, sober and supposed to be in our
right minds. AS the warden says, we
keep pretty fair hours" We pass out of
this place of confinement to take our places
again in the world. We are then again
free moral agents; the same paths are there
for us to walk in, strewn with all manner
of temptations. and it will be ours to choose.
Now comes the hardest chapter in our lives
We are branded as criminals. and we desire
names and regain our manhood. Let us
see how we are to do this. In the first
place it requires mighty effort. We have
got to look the world square in the face and
establish character. This is a personal
matter. and must be considered as such or
nothing can be accomplished of advantage.
All the world can not sustain, your charac-
ter if you neglect it yourself. We must
form that decision of character which is
capable of resisting temptation. and sur
mounting unfrendly influence. The great
misfortune of many, especially of young
men, is. that though their principles may
be correct, and their intentions good. they
yield to solicitation. They cannot put a
decisive negative on the wishes and EN-
treaties of boon companions. This is de-
plorable weakness which has caused many
a shipwreck of youthful promise. 1t is
one of the most precious attachments of a
young man, not only to be established in
good principles. but to have them. so fixed
as to stand equally unmOved against the
terrOrS of menace. and the entcementS of
f1attery; to cultivate tirmneSs of moral
purpose which dares to deny, and which is
not ashamed in pursuing the path of duty.
to put custom, fashion and solicitation at
defiance. This moral courage. bOldness
and decision impart finish to a character,
III all Otner respects gOO0, when Is at once
as ornamental as it is useful.
Let me say to you, then. if you desire to
form and maintain an honorable character
through life. begin now to establish it. to
watch over it, to guard with the utmost
care against every thing that can effect it
unfavOraby. Try to establish a reputation
for strict regard for truth, and for the
most scrupulous adherence to integrity and
honor in every transaction. Let nothing
tempt you to engage for moment in any
scheme or transaction involving duplicity.
underhand dealing, or any thing that would
tempt you to shun the right You should
not allow ourselves to deceive any one, en-
ter into no cabal nut Yourselves in M Onas