The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-10-10

tons. is the utter dumbness to which the
men are reduced; and DO not wish any
thing may now advance to be construed
in favor OF it. l think it unjust. inhuman,
and like many other relics of the ancient
prison regime. will surely pass away. But
while believe that the rigor of this rule
should be done away with. think as long
as it exists we should endeavor to create
responsive dual parsonage within ourselves.
Benjamin Franklin, in his code of virtues,
by the daily observance and practice of
which he endeavOred to approximate per-
which he submitted himself each night to a
rigid self examination, had this clause;
Silence. speak not but what may benefit
Yourself or Others" For years he followed
this plan. weighing every word before it
was uttered. If we would follow this rule
closely, there would be much less talking.
within these walls than there is SOW. even
if all restrictions were removed. When
one is tempted to speak, he should con-
slider if what he is about to say will be bell
eficial to him: will it make him or any one
else happier? This is a severe rule to fol-
low, but who will not say that it is good
one?
But now as we are forbidden to talk to
others, let us cultivate our own acquaint-
ance, and in doing so keep up the pretty
conceit of dual parsonage. In reading
read page and then explain that page to
your other self. Take any question or sub
ject: prepare an argument i'm favor of one
side. gather all the information tendil g to
support your position, and reduce it to
logical sequence; and then let your other
self take the opposite side and proceed
with your argument. You might even
make of yourself triple self as Judge to
decide the case. II you are studying: mark
out the lesson to be learned. as pupil re-
cite it, and as a teacher listen to its recital
and mark it.
This l hold to be valuable habit, al
though to many it may seem to be nom
Senscal. And yet, to one isolated from
his fellows. it is source of stimulus and
encouragement.
In thus multiplying ourselves. let us
commence at once. and let the first transit
ton be into an advisory censor, to decide,
just what we would like to accomplish dur
ing the period we have yet to remain i'm
durance. III making this outline do not
let your desires run away with your capa-
bilties, but while restraining their cOmpre-
hensiveness, place no limit upon high and
noble aspirations. This duty accomplished
and you can then assume the guise OF a
pedagOgue and reduce your list of studies
or readings to system. and outline the
work of each day week or a month in ad
vance. This is only general and prepare
tory work. but it is very necessary; for
without a recognized object or goal and a.
system of approximating it. the most per-
severing person accOmplishes little. This
work done and we come to the tug of war
the daily grind that must be undergone
to achieve the desired end. and right
here comes the grand use of the dual role,
and l may say. personally, that much
which l have been able to accomplish has,
been by the aid of this fiction; as teacher
knew what ought to learn and marked
out the lessons. as pupil l recited them
faithfully to myself and condemned or
praised myself as circumstances warranted.
have tested this plan thoroughly and have
not found it wanting.
We will try to sum up the results of our
arguments. We have found that the con-
verting of ourselves into dual personages-
will be grand means of acquainting our.
selves with our own ability. We have
found that it is a powerful stimulation to
commence study and strong incentive
for the continuance of that study. We
have found that 1t is means which not
only lightens our labor but also increases.
our capacity for labor; and it remains with
you. my fellow prisoners, whether you will
try to make this grand use of your present
adversely or whether you will sit idly by
and watch time and opportunity speed by
YOU and emerge from your imprison-
ment with your mental faculties rusty,
your will weak. your very morality degen-
Grated from want of stimulus; and mentally
and morally unfit to take advantages of the
opportunities which will then present them
selves Which is the most attractive pict-
ure? Which way do you prefer to pro-
coed? Which way will you? REX.