The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1901-10-03

hhu OAOuoOo AOi LILl, UuC WOo 10 Cl0
man who commits anything to which
we ourselves have no inclination.
Again we ask in wopderment: "How
can he do this or tAat?" OF course
there are certain things that almost
seem inexcusable, but if we can not
excuse them, we may at least pity the
man or woman who does these things
instead of condemning them.
IT anything in fellow man is un-
sympathetic to us we do not seek the
fault in ourselves but in him. We put
him down as uncODgenial, as a crank, a
freak, etc. OF course that is consider
ably easier and more pleasing to our
self-love than to search for the motives
that actuate the man in doing this or
that, which in our opinion is entirely
wrong. If a man does not readily
agree with our views we put him down
as an ignoramus; if he does things in a
different way from ours, as not know
ing anything; if he sees things in
another light than ourselves he is
ignorant, stupid, etc. In all these cases
it is merely the putting of our views
and opinions above that of others. We
think: "Why, what does he know
about itp alone have the right view,
do the right things, know, in fact,
everything better .han anybody else."
All this will apply not only to us
here, but just as well to all outsiders.
AS to our particular surroundings and
circumstances, l would plead with
every one of you to judge your fellow
prisoners leniently and in the spirit
you yourselves would like to be judged.
But is this done? Who of you has not
spoken slightingly of another prisoner
Have you not heard this or that man
spoken of as mean fellow, as a crank,
as insufferable? In this you have the
plainest proof that even here-among
men who all have been judged-the
judgment of others is rampant.
If man feels downhearted and not
inclined to make or take so called "fun,"
- ~ ii he keeps himself as
much as possible aloof
from his fellow pris-
oners, as the rules of the house say he
shall, if he merely wants to be left alone
he is crank Do we know what
may oppress him, what burden he
carries, what woe is hidden in his
breast? Why not, if there must be
forbidden speech, give him an encoura-
ging word, cheering word, word of
sympathy just as well as jibes and
ridicuie? Being made by imprisOn-
ment somewhat nervous and excitabIe,
all of us hate to be imposed upon by
our fellow prisoners, and this is another
cause for friction; things that you
would pass by nnnoticed in the outside
world assume here unusual proportions,
and the man whe causes you irritation
becomes the objest of an unmerciful
judgment.
Ii we all would not say: "I am just
as good as you," which generally means
in plain English, 81 am little better
than you," but: "You are just as good
as [ and your opinions deserve the same
consideration which claim for mine"
by this course, feel sure much hard
feeling would be avoided, and such
words as "crank," "crazy as 8 bedbug,'
sucker" disappear from the vernacular
of this community, and the general
feeling toward each other would be
bettered.
To us, the members of this circle,
who according to the constitution of
the same, shall strive not only to i'm
prove the intellectual, but also the
moral faculties-and let me suggest
that we read the constitution of the
circle in this way: "Not their but the
intellectual faculties, ITO us it is
left to work for this end also; for true
disciple Of knowledge, be it moral or
intellectual, will surely strive to spread
it, and my earnest wish is that this
poor effort may awaken some of you,-I
let me hope all of you-to work in the
spirit Of: Judge not, but help each
other" MEMO.