The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-10-01
THINK WE'LL ONT.

1t is a lamentabe fact. and is one which many
time blush to mount the brow of every
true American, to meet in every day life SO many
Americans, both young and old. who lack the
knowledge of their country's history. People
seem to think nowadays that all that is necessary
to know about America and her past is that
had revolut ionary some time ago in which
the hated Briton ousted from land. and
that at later period civil war ragged from out of
which. the North came victorious and slavery be.
came extinct. They tell you that president
is elected every four years, but the manner of his
election is as mysterious to them the source of
the Mississippi possibly more So With this
fmsy knowledge of that land of which they boast
SO much they will rest content and greedly lush
onward towards that goal Of gold. on which every
American heart seems bent and in the mad rush
of which every other consideration is forgotten.
1t is difficult matter to conjecture the cause of
this sad condition of affairs. l believe our public
schools largely to blame for it, because they
give the youth but rudimentary knowledge OF
American history relying upon that spirit of patri
otism which is so deeply rooted in every American
heart to urge him, as he grows to manhood, to
learn more detailed account of the causes of his
country's greatness. In the midst Of this bowling
wilderness of knowledge, it is gratifying to know
that a means has been provided whereby young
and old may enjoy the blessings of complete ed.
ucaton in this all.important branch of literature
The Chautauqua academy throws its doors open
this year to all who wish to drink deep" at the
sacred fount OF American nationality.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;
Their shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.
The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
has its branches scattered all the land and
as messenger of peace and goodwill and cheer 1T
has come to US in solitude bidding us to Look
up and not to be discouraged. branch of that
excellent organization is now firmly established in
this institution and is open to any inmate whose
conduct and desires tend towards moral and intel
lectual Improvement.
Commencing on next Sunday the study of Amer
lean history will begin and will be continued for
one year. 1t is not because we are deprived for
while of the fellowship of our fellowmen that
we should be indifferent to those glorious preroga
tives of American citizenship to which please God
we shall all one day be restored. 1t is un-Amer.
can to lack the knowledge Of American history
and it is duty which every American owes his
country we'll as himself to be familiar with the
facts which have lifted her from the thraldom and
placed her foremost among the great nations of the
world. therefore appeal to you, fellow inmates,
whose education is sufficiently advanced, to join
our Chautauqua Circle. to forget the knock downs
of the past, the sufferings of the present. and to
look only to the glories of the future. and thus
prepare yourselves we'll for that happy day when
the bright light of liberty will cast its halo around
you. You will then be once again citizens of the
United States. You will enjoy the rights the priv.
ileges of this great Republic. You will be pro-
tected by its constitution and the laws. In return
for those invaluable advantages you will owe 1t
earnest and undivided allegiance. Do your duty
well. not from any selfish motive but from the love
you bear the land of your birth or adoption.
Trust me- it deserves your love. 1t stands pre-
eminent and alone in all the world as the example
and champion of free hearths, free homes, free
affairs, free speech. free men. Regard your title
of American citizen as a patent of nobility and
bear it as proudly as did the lords of the earth
long ago bear the name of Roman citizen as their
title to command the respect and homage of man.
kind INNISFAILEN