The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-10-08

much reliance on an authority" nowadays,
and too little self-reliance? Boys. think for
yourselves. honestly think. Don't think at
all. if you can't honestly think. Don't
think of self, but ever think for self. and
you will make progress. the world with you.
There is, however. class of readers which
is neither thoughtful nor thoughtless, and
this Is the one that has half studied sub
ject. or studied it on individual lines, and
which, consequently, is prejudiced, and its
prejudice deepens against anything not con
fOrmable to its half study, or to its indvid-
uality. Here is where the prejudice will
deepen, or has deepened concerning ex con-
victs by perusal of my newspaper articles.
l take it for granted that some people have
become more prejudiced against eX cOnvicts
from their perusal; but who are they? Are
they of any moment in this worlds govern
ment? If they are. l trust they will cease
from prejudiclng and be rational. and learn
to know that. but for environment they
might have become the ones against whom
the prejudice was hurled instead of being
the prejudiced.
(Let me turn to the editor for moment
to remark that absolutely deny. from OBJ
servatiOn and pathological reasoning the
theory of "Heredity in Crime" l cannot
discuss this here; but may add that jed
Jukes" was assumed in rebuttal of Dug
chapter on ''Heredity" (?) in the mentioned
MS.)
However, if have been guilty of pref
udicing the public against ex cOnvicts. am
truly sorry. and l trust that this article will
atone for my guilt. l may add. though.
that your editors remarks seem to have
centered on my first newspaper article
that in which described few ''of my
varied companions" in crime. my varied
companions" was not my original matter. l
had explained. in Offering the sketches, that
they were not to be taken as representa-
tive OF the body of criminals, but as types"
and that. Ito do justice to this part of the
subject. volume would be necessary"
Well, after the articles left my hands, |
had no further control over them; but l as
sure your editor had many. not exactly
stormy SCENES" but scenes. nevertheless,
with the editor who accepted them on &C
count Of their treatment. More articles
would have appeared had L been allowed
carte-blanche in treatment. l refused to-
and fully determined not to write any more
for the press. Moreover, as have in
timated. gauging my position from your
standpoint and from my own are very diff
ferent things. Reality and imagination can
not unite, except in rare cases where fiction
abOundS. and to attempt to elucidate on pa
per an outside position for the acceptance
Of inside Missionaries" is not very easy
task. So, vice versa; although imagine L
can realize your position better than you
can realize the one l was in when the arti
cles in question were before the newspaper
men. However, as l said. trust all pref
udice have deepened will be removed.
The third question put was. Have l
changed my opinions? think need not
elaborate on this after what have said in
the foregoing paragraphs. 1 have one or
two observations to make, however. in ref
erence to your editors remarks in his
"Reply to Jukes." He says. MIR. Jukes
knows that there are thousands OF ex-
cOnvicts in the United States who are lead
ing honest. prosperous lives in communities
where there histories are known" will
not vOuch up into the thousands; abstract
reasoning might cause me to endorse the
foregoing assertion; but know that there
are scores of such right here in New York
city. l have known scores in western
cities, far western cities, and l wish the to-
tails could be told for the guidance in part
of public opinion. l wish also that you. as
we'll as your editor. could drop into any of
the city mansions here. and listen to the
testimonies of men and women who have
been as low as ever any of you have been.
and that is a broad assertion. but who are
now ''honest. prosperous" citizens, work.
ing withal for the salvation of others.
Boys. come what may, have the courage
to be honest. know the bodily, as well as
the mental condition of many of you when
you tried to act square. and l know how
severe your struggles. But there is One
who can make your body full of vigor, and
your mind also. and no matter how large
the odds are against you in your outside
struggles. He is able to keep you honest.
Try Him. where you are; be manly, and
your fellows will respect you. Don't be
religious" in order to get soft snap. or