The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-09-15
Determination,

1t is the spirit that guides us to the achieve
ment of future deedS-it is something we all have
more or less of, and it is according to the guam
tty we have that makes us what we are. A per-
son with plenty of determination rarely fails in
having only a small amount very seldom sue
ceeds in anything. An undetermined person is
like unto straw set in mariners compass, he
will succeed in anything about as often as the
straw will point to the north pole. Penologists
of to-day are trying to educate criminals to such
a degree that they will become honest, law-abd-
ing citizens, but unless the criminal has the
amount of determination required to hold him to
his resolution all efforts will prove fallaciOus to
the end hoped for.
Determination is the magnet that guides us to
all we wish for in this life; and it promises much
in the world to come if we are determined to be
worthy of it. The old saying that "there is a
divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them
how we WILL" is a very weak support for any one
to rely on, for if one is determined to be crmi-
nal he will undoubtedly be one, in disregard to
all the advice or preaching thousand ministers
may give him. But on the other hand if one is
determined to be upwright and honest then not
all the rascals in the slums of the universe can
make him become one of them. Some may say
that circumstances and our surroundings have a
great deal to do with the results of mans life,
and that it resembles destiny to some extent; to
such one, would say, Is it unreasonable to
think that men should rise above their surround
ings?
Must man always remain poor because he is
born of poor family? Should man carry a
heavy burden simply because it fits his Shout
ders? Surely it were foolish to suppose so. And
if one continues travelling along the road of life
with the burden of disgrace ever imbittering and
wearying his existence it is simply because he
has not the determination to stop and shake off
the undesirable burden and be man. But the
vacilatng spirit, by some called destiny, goes on
to the end carrying the loathsome burden of dis
grace until finally it drops down to await death,
the only and dread destiny of us all. There are
men who on leaving place like this have bright
hopes, and happy futures in view yet if they fail
to realize them come back again to the old
life they say q" had no help" or, Il had no OPP
pOrtunity to become other than what was when
1 left prison."
TO such man l would say that he had not de-
termined to be other than a criminal, or else his
determination had become as weak from disrlse
that it failed him when strong temptation tried
ing to the weakness of his determinatiOn-that
strong cable that holds him to whatsoever he
wishes to be; and if the strands of the cable be-
come frayed or parted, and should we continue
unmindful of the needed repairs, we will find
that when the storms of adversely strike us we
will have poor chances of overcoming them. We
become like ship held by stranded cable in a
hurricane. If it parts God help the ship, for the
rocks are mercilesS.
What despicable thing it is to drift about like
ship on the waters, with no am and no ambi-
ton to be other than mere existence; a sport
to all the divers passions that beset us, a thing
| unworthy of a creative God, and a useless en-
| cumbrance on the community wherein he exists
Would you be an honest man in preference to be-
ing criminal? Be a man with purpose in
| view, and let your determination be the strong
cable that will hold your good Ship and crime
may rage in vain around you seeking to drive you
on the shoals of criminals life, but that
strength will ever uphold before you the beau
ties of a pure life. PETORA.