The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-02-04


conviction are ever stopping our (other men
of convictiOn's) progress towards perfection.
l have letter before me from convict
in which the headline of this article is
found. 1t was applied to the convict by an
outside antagonist who must have imagined
that there was no good and no intelligence
in convict. and realized that he (this out
side antagOnist) was getting the worst of ap
argument. The incident was mentioned in
the letter to me as warning not to be too
antagOnistic to aHtagOnistic ideas. not sim
ply because l was not appreciated in certain
quarters, but because it was a matter of
pOlity and policy. l have thought over this
warning. and have concluded that anyone
who could take Offense at my clear headed
(sOft hearted) utterances was not the one
who was going to aid in progressing human
ity in any way. much less to look tavOrably
and more generously on criminals as a
body, and. consequently. l must ignore
such, trusting that the rest may be better
informed. better minded, and better quail
fed to overlook my perversity. and to be
better hammered than to say, ITS no
honor to defeat convict when fact (Or
a fancy is, gently and generously, placed
before them.
sits no honor to defeat convict" is the
expression of our daily life. A ''cOnvict's
yarn" indeed to what does it amount? is
almost household word. thanks to the
assistance of the daily newspaper. lam of
the opinion, though it may be wrong one,
that people who desire to make the world
better. as some of us do desire. would ac
cept statement of truth, even if it came
from the lips of a convict. But, as rule.
John. and James. and jeremiah have too
much common sense to take truth from a
mere criminal. for what is he that he should
presume to dictate to us. honest men that
we are? 7'''
[ admit that the time is scarcely at hand
for the acceptation and the consideration of
the ideas of intelligent criminals; that we
have not yet advanced beyond the stage
where John. and James, and jeremiah say.
Its no honor to defeat a convict" But
the time must be, and we who have suffered
for our land sOciety's) misdOings, and ye
who are now suffering for yours must speed
on the day as quickly as can be done. 1t is
difficult matter to battle against an OppOS-
ing wOrld-an educated world; yet. courage.
boys. if your fate is not now in your own
hands, it will be.
hope to do a little towards Staying this
monster. Prejudice, so far as it antagonizes
your real status, and have few things in
contemplation that l hope will aid in &C.
gates to the great outside. visionary world
beyond
1t is necessary. in order to break through
extended prejudice against criminals. to do
so yourself; the standard" magazines of
the day. representing the "best" thought,
will not aid you to do it. There is an
originality that is too original, too true to
life to satisfy the tastes of gentlemen of.
ease and ladies in waiting who are dOleful
and dollarful enough to read and subscribe
to such magazines. But. apart from all
this. this world is large hearted; l have
found it so; only the mischief is that it is
large headed also. Nevertheless, here and
there you meet One-and. 10 doubt. you
may meet scores. who appreciate you. and
who will lend you hand in your endeavOr
to do what the rest of the world has pre-
vented you dOing-to live hOnestly-and if
you are determined to accept the conditions
around you. and as determined to make
them better. you will not lack the helping
hand. Be earnest. boys. and the world will
soon cease to say. Its no honor to defeat
a convict" ADDISON HOOD.
New York city.