The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-05
Example Versus Precept.*

The evil elements in society can be
removed by only one of two methods:
elevation by change of mentality and
environment, or by physical force. 1t
is within the power of the higher ele
ments of society to elevate the lower
elements to some extent, but to do this
it must adopt such methods as will Sc
cure the attention of the lower classes
and then, by individual and associated
action seek to change mentality by en-
lightenment and change environment
by furnishing material opportunities.
1t will make little headway as long as
it tOlerateS customs and uSageS ON it's
own place that are inconsistent with
the elevated sentiments it processes and
teaches. 1t cannot condemn and refuse
association with the mother of an illegi-
innate child while it tOlerates and assO-
ciateS with the father of it. 1t cannot
condemn SWindler while it recognizes
as a church communicate one who, as
a learned professional, resorts to ques-
tionable and unscrupulous methods to
defend and clear guilty criminal. 1t
cannot be heard to preach morality,
benevolence and charity. while the rich
church members refuse to recognize as
equals in the sight of God the poor but
piOuS man and woman, who live up
right lives and exhibit no distinction
except in the lack of wealth. 1t cannot
gain attention to exhOrtatiOns about
the sacredneSs of the rights of property
if it is making large profits and pinch
ing labor to the lowest possible limits
as to wages. 1t cannot gain the con-
fidence of those it approaches, if, while
rolling in wealth and luxury, it passes
the poor and needy without recognition,
or fails to reasonably minister to their
wants out of its abundant substance.
In a word. it can not preach one thing
and practice another and expect to
command the attention of those who
indulge in evil practices. 1t must elimi-
nate the evil-dispOsed element i'm it's
own ranks as far as possible before be-
coming a minister of truth to those who
lack moral perception on lower levels.
The injunction of the Master, "first
cast out the beam out of thine own eve.
then shalt thou see clearly to cast out
the mote out of thy brothers eye." is
we'll understood and cOmprehended in
principle by the meanest of mankind,
though they may never have heard
these words; and they are as ready to
apply it to any one subject to the chal-
lenge as was the Master to the hypo-
critics to whom he addressed it.
/ said it had the power to elevate the
lower classes; but it is hardly to be ex-
pected that the effort will be made.
Individuals in it have labOred for scores
of years, and numbers of them in asso-
citation have labored and are now labor
ing to that end; but they cannot exert
the force of public opinion, and aside
from the individual results of their
own efforts they must rely on such
municipal aid as they can persuade the
lawmaking powers of the state to ex-
tend
The unequal condition of society can
never be removed solely by legislation
Much less can it be removed by class
Legislation; such as compulsory educa-
tiOn, Sunday laws, prohibition of the
manufacture and sale of spirits: so
called grants of special privileges, such
as are granted to private corporations
and associations, which are only pre-
tended grants. In reality they are no
grants at all. They are prohibitions of
the exercise and enjoyment of individ-
| In The Prison Question"