The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-11-15

record of it's contributors purest
thoughts, and suggestions as to what
would most benefit them when
again at liberty, it has not reached that
degree of egotism, where it fancies
either ability or inclination to point out
to legislators the laws they should enact
for the benefit of the human race, and
particularly laws that would benefit
men who, like ourselves, are supposed
by the world at large, to be outside the
pale of absolute regeneration. But
situated as we are, where the study of
the convict, when he is at his best land
he must be at his best here) can be
made, we are in position to, in great
measure, learn his shortcomings as we'll
as his best parts, and form conclusions
as to the cause of his downfall; learn
what would prevent, too frequently, his
return to prison, and point out remedy.
This THE MIRROR tried to do in the
article above referred to; and did the
Journal give that article closer reason
ing they would have found an answer
to their query. We will not attempt to
correct the Journals misinterpretation
of many of the points taken in our
previous article, but, will endeavor to
show that the convict needs no other
brand than the one society has, and
ever will place upon him, to be dis
tinguished so that the salOon-k keeper
may know him. Let man leave this
institution and enter house of refuge.
the prisoners home, or kindred institu-
lions, and what other brand does he
require? Would he be man of I'M
blemished reputation and yet an inmate
OF this institution? Decidedly not.
Does not every man who knows him to
be such an inmate know his past? Is
there policeman Or detective in that
city who has not his record? 1t is
absurd to think otherwise. How long
can he remain in that city until the
very children in the streets know him
to be an eX-cOnvict? What other brand
does he need? Now suppose for argu-
ment's sake, this man is addicted to
liquor; that, when not under its lnfu-
ences, be is of excellent parts. The sa
loon situated perhaps in the very block
in which he resides is open to him; he
passes its doors; the longing for drink
possesses him; his will is weak he at
last enterS-We know the result. On
the other hand, with law prohibiting
the saIoon-keeper from selling him
liquor, he would not enter assured of a
refusal; and his natural pride rebelling
against such refusal, he would endeavor
to crush his appetite through his pride,
and eventually gain the mastery over
1t is not absolutely necessary
that every saloon-keeper should know
him; once let a law be passed, where
the saloon-k keeper shall, with guilty
knowledge sell an ex-convict liquor, be
severely punished, and the ex-convict
will himself shun them, not knowing
where the refusal will come from. We
know this cannot be effective in all in
stances, but supposing 10 per cent. of
the discharged convicts could be saved
IN this way; perhaps the saving of
scores of lives, thousands of dollars
worth of property, and an immortal
soul would result. We would ask the
Journal what other distinguishing
mark would be necessary to place upon
he convict who, upon his discharge
rom prison, enters an ex-prisoners'
home. or an institution of that nature9
The police know him: the officials of
The home know him; those who con-
tribute to his support know him; and
of this kind being Unfortunately
selfish, will soon properly advertise him
~ holding nightly meetings, inviting
he public to participate. The news
papers with poster type headings will
announce: ATTEND the prayer meet
ng tonight: noted ex-convict will
ell you how he found salvation ETC..
tic. Seated upon stage will be
dozen or more ex-convicts, and some
MEMBER of this society will tell in glow
ng words how they were mot saved.
The rabble are there. The Philanthro-
'lst and the Saloon-keeper; the con-
clentlouS Christian and humanitarian
md the Bum; the Policeman and the
seeker all are there, all see
nm. Does he require sign on his
Jack, or any other distinguishing char
cterlstlc to point him out as an ex-
onvict? SO much for the convict who
nters institutions of this kind, for it
an undeniable fact that the leaders
L these societies like to advertise the
opposed good work thev are acooro.