The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-04-11
ROnGa's Philosophy.

piness, it is anything but pleasant to feel
that you are confined to a space no larger
than the kennel allowed a medium sized
dog. This feeling is heightened when YOU
see, through the grated windows, numerous
people both young and old enjoying the ex-
hilarating atmosphere of freedom on the
sunny slope of the opposite hill. | deduce
from this that he who follows a life that
will ultimately lead him to prison, has all
the qualities requisite to the makeup of a
fool. This recalls to mind the position
taken by several learned men-that the
criminal is of necessity to some extent men,
tally unbalanced ain quite willing to
confess that there is strong basis for such
belief. Let us take as an example the
man who steals valise containing a few
clothes. and sells the same for a dollar or
80. He is arrested and receives year in
prison. Would you consider this man of
good sound sense? What did he gain in COM
parison to the risk? 1t would be equally as
sensible to invest dollar in lottery and de-
pend on it to bring you return as regularly
as you invest. II this man was not drunk
or slightly deranged, then his skull must be
Jacketed with superior quality of Sligo
iron. The thief ON a larger scale is not a
whit better. No matter what the size of
the spoil in view. it is always Outweighed
by the bitter years it will CAUSE you 70
spend in prison.
We have one advantage that is granted to
put few mOrtals who have never been in
prison: we are taught by the stern teachings
Of experience to appreciate and value our
liberty. Once within the pale of the prison
structure, that word expands into subim-
ity that ever afterwards is branded in our
innate being. l venture to state that not
one in ten thousand free men ever gives a
second thought to the luxury they enjoy.
This is strong illustration of the saying:
Familiarity breeds Indifference" We do
not know the price of such a boon until we
lose it,
Ii a man will but look the matter squarely
in the face, he must be convinced that crime
does not. will not and cannot pay. This is
looking at the matter from worldly stand
point. Nearly all OF us were reared in
christian belief. and through respect for
our parents, if nothing more. we always
cling tenderly to their revered teachings,
the sunshine of our childhood. What then
ment, and look at our career from moral
standpoint. No matter how we look at it,
crime is always the same-nean, low and
degrading. There is no sum of money large
enough to reimburse us for term of impriS-
Onment, or to abSterge the vile stigma of
thief from our character. Only our own
honest efforts will regain for us the respect
of our fellOwmen. Let us take retrospect
i've glance of our lives and see what we
were before we became the OScillating vic
TINS of Chance and Idleness. Let us turn
back to our school days-the happiest days
we will ever see-when we could find en-
jOyment in every surrounding feature of
our life; when we could retire at night with
happy heart and clear conscience. Is
there anything in the Sneakng life of a
criminal that will appeal to us like the
happy hours we spent in these halcyOn days?
Have we made any friends in our criminal
experience that will remain cherished in
our hearts like our school mates. the COM
paniOnS and participants in the innocent
pleasures of our youth? What would we
not give to-day to have as clears conscience
and happy heart as when we left the school
room for our calling in life. With what
buOyancy and hOpefulness we looked to
the future; but alas. our shiftlessness. and
evil company. have robbed us-for a time
at least-Of the confidence of our fellow
men.
1t is claimed that there is fascination in
crime, that is Of course to the criminal.
What there is attractive about such life
the writer fails to see. If the victims of
this delusiOn can see anything bewtching
in such pursuit, it is but further proof
that their brains are not in good order. 1t
would be as equally plausible to say that
there is a fascination in suicide. IT any
thing it is mania.
1t is my belief that too many excuses are
being made for crime. We are all aware
of the harmful effects of the saloon and the
gambling rooms. But as in all probability
these two evils will always exist in some