The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-05-25
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tentions is measured by the effort we
put forth toward betterment in tho
present. Who among us has not made
missteps in life; they differ only in de-
grees, and none of us should become
discouraged over the result, but brace
up, and overcome the past by right act
ing in the present. Too much time is
wasted over the "might have beens" of
life. We are, possibly, soon to learn
how serious, how disheartening, is the
condition of one who has been impris-
Oned, when he finds society arraigned
against him. 1t is the fashion to in
weigh against the "cold and pitiless
world" but the world has often much
excuse for maintaining this character
of cOldnesS. AS society is now cOnsti-
tuted, the consequences of wrong g-doing
are usually terrible, and greatly to be
dreaded, and all who have unhealthful
cravings for forbidden things should be
made to realize that society very natu-
rally treats harshly those who permit
their pleasures and passions to endan
ger it's very existence. People who
have toilsOmely and patiently erected
their homes and placed therein their
treasures, do not tolerate with equanim-
ity, those who appear to have no 9TH
er calling than that of recklessly play
ing with fire. The well-to-do, cOnserv-
ative world has no inclination to
make things pleasant for those who
propose to crafty themselves at any
and every cost, and if the culprit pleads
81 did not realize-I meant no great
HARM" the retOrt comes back, "But you
do the harm; you endanger every thing.
If you have not sense or principle
enough to act wisely and well, do not
expect us to risk our fortunes with
either fools or knaves;" and the man
or woman who has preferred pleasure
or passing qualification or transient adj
vantage to that priceless possession,
complaint. If society readily cOndOned
those grave offenses which threaten
chaos, thousands, now restrained by
salutary fear, would act disastrOusly
the evil lurking in their hearts. AS
long as the instinct of self-preservation
remains, the world will seem cold and
pitiless. 1t often is so, however, to
degree that cannot be too severely con-
demned. The world is soulless of all
corporations In dealing with the
criminal or unfortunate classes, it
generalizes to such an extent that ex
ceptiOnal cases have little chance of a
special hearing. If by any means, how
ever, such hearing can be obtained,
the world is usually just, and often
quite generous. But, in the main, it
says to all: Keep your proper places
in the ranks. If you fall out, we must
leave you behind; if you make trouble,
we must abate you as nuisance"
This certainty has the effect of keeping
many in their places who otherwise
would drop out and make trouble, and
is, so far, wholesome; and yet, in spite
of this warning truth, the wayside of
life is lined with those who, for some
reason, have become disabled and have
fallen out of their places; and misera
bly, would many of them perish did not
the spirit of Him who came ''to see and
save the lost" animate true followers,
leading them likewise to go out after
the lame, the wounded, and the morally
leprOus. LIBERTY.