The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-03-12

lars for a Book of Thieves. 1 said
to my secretary, why is this?
can buy a Book of Saints bound in
morocco for dollar" In this coun-
try we are expending for the detec-
ton and punishment of crime pro-
badly thousand million dollars a
year, as much as for education,
charity and religion combined. This
enormous expenditure is devoted to
one-tenth of one per cent, of our
population. More than this, many
of our penal methods and institutions
are training first offenders for a
criminal life. In the face of these
facts, the general Indifference in re-
gard. to this subject is difficult to
explain. Winston Churchill recent
ly declared in the House of Com
mons that the attitude of the pub
lie in regard to the treatment of
crime and criminals is one Of the
best tests Of the civilization of any
people,"
We are so apt to feel that those
in prison are of a different class
from ourselves. They are outcasts
from society with whom we have
nothing in common and with whom
we want nothing to do. We do not
see them In their family relations
with the human past and the posi-
bilities of the human future. They
still belong to the fellowship of the
common life, only they have been
engulfed by storms and undercur-
rents which perhaps would have
wrecked the best of us.
A Change of Attitude
A general change of attitude to-
ward the So called criminal classes, :"
is the fundamental thing which is
happening. Prophetic minds have
heralded the new spirit of human
fellowship, and here and there in
dividuals had faith to try the dis
cipline of kindness. Some are see
ing the vision of the possibility and
wisdom Of preventing and curing
crime. The new probation and pa
role systems show that the social
conscience is growing sensitive. So
ciety is asking whether, by It's own
neglect, it is not in many cases a
pardner in the wrong doing. Even
the family of Of the prisoner is be-
coming a burden on the new con-
science. The body social is feeling
that the good of the weakest erring
member is the concern of all. Vice
and crime are men and women 60
ing wrong. and not offensive refuse
which you can clean up" as from
an alley or back yard.
The heart of society is more and
more directing it's services to the
men and women farthest down, the
poorest and weakest and most
wretched. This ministration to the
least of the human family who is in
want or sick IN prison." the great
Teacher has made the final and
supreme test of religion, He has
placed it far above dogma or form
or ceremony. 1t is not merely a
beautiful sentiment, it is the funda-
mental principle of His teaching.
1t is the only permanent method of
the growth of human society. Jesus
was a profound social teacher.
Other nations have developed cul-
ture, art and education on the part
of few favored ones. Their Ulvi-
lization has always declined. If we
make permanent progress, we must
lift society from the bottom and
then we all rise together, not to
decline and fall. This movement
is beginning to make itself felt in
our religious, social and political
activities. We are coming to real
ize that the conservation of human
life is the highest function of re-
ligion and education, of society and
OF government itself.-O. p. News.