The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-02-09
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.

Gentlemen. deem it advisable to speak few
words. due in part to the many changes and to
the new members who have been enrolled in the
ranks of the Pieran circle within the last year.
have no doubt but that all the members are
familiar with the constitution and bylaws of our
circle it is along that line that wish to speak.
and also of the course of studies we are purSu
ing, as members of that great body of Students
called ChautauquanS. Upon joining society of
any kind. one has to conform to its constitution
and bylaws. as only strict observance of the
same will give it strength or endurance. To be
"A Chautauqllan. one must follow its principles.
AS well as its studies selected for us. As to the
benefits we may gain from the systematic course
we are following leave it to yourselves to
Judge. Some of us are going through past stud
les while following the course laid out by Chall-
tauqua others entering upon field of
study: but the aim of all should be to obtain
some benefit or knowledge from the opportunity
so favOrably given us while inmates of this in
StitutiOn. To be truly benefited and thereby
benefit others-aS will surely he the result. if we
show earneStneSS in our work as ChautalquanS
is a point wish to impress upon your minds.
We owe it to the originatOrS of this circle and
to ourselves as fellow workers. for the grand
movement that has been adopted as kind of
fertilizer of mems minds placed in our cOndi
tiOns. If apply it as refOrmatOry specific
for crime. as many advocates of the educational
idea claim it to be. we should be the first to reap
the harvest if we tend well to the planting of
our seed
] have no doubt but that it is only a matter of
time when the Chautauuua plan of education
will be applied to all prisons of a refOrmatOry
class that are seeking to better the condition. as
of l,nir And
sist those who are interested in the experiment
of helping men in like circumstances. ITO look
up and lift up by the same methods. we
should make strong efforts to keep our circle in
the van of those that have adopted or may
adopt, the same plan OF education in any of the
state prisons or reformatories of this country.
To accomplish and maintain the lead in this good
work. it requires combined labor. and good will
in our circle. There should be Il feeling of kind
ness and good will in all our abOrs to surmOlnt
the difficult obstacles that may arise in our on
ward march. and in nothing should we be more
careful than in help or criticism of our all-
thor. studying carefully and criticiSing freely
when the opportunity occurs: but let it be in
such way that all will feel that it is the good
will only in the subject.
have no doubt that some have their hobby
one subject or another; may say that we all
have more or less. To any suffering under this
head of affection. would say, keep your hobby
we'll in hand. as a controlled hobby is sometimes
serviceable. But when the hobby controls the
individual. then we may look out for hard roads.
In conclusion. fellow Chautauquans. let me say.
that in our efforts for improvement and knOwl-
edge, no one should need be ashamed to do
the best he can under any circumstances; only
he that can do better and does not do So is to
blame for not using his good talents to his own
honor, and the guidance of others.