The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-01-08
g.. E ID 1T o II A L -.
THE DOOR is OPEN YOU

THE DOOR is OPEN-TO YOU
lHOULD the doors of every prison in the
~ United States be thrown wide open tomor-
- row, and the inmates told to 60 forth and
II | sin MORE" what do you imagine the
result would be upon the social status of
the nation? We don't believe there are a
dozen men in this prison today who upon
reflection, would even favor such move;
still hear continued mumblings and
grumblings from the inmates of every
prison in the land about the unjust mac
tivity of the boards and the men who con-
troll the power of clemency.
We very readily appreciate the
bitter disappointment which follows the announce
ment of petition for pardon or parole being de-
MED. We've experienced the pang that follows
weeks and days of hopefulness, of looking ahead
and praying that we might be freed we've felt the
deep resentment of what we were certain was an
unjus! action; know what it is to lose hope, APP
petite and confidence in ourselves as we'll as hu-
mainly; believe with perfect propriety
and understanding discuss the question which is of
such vital import to every man and woman in this
institution.
Boards of Parole have much to contend with
that many of us have not considered-they must
and be sure of their footing. They must consider
the inside of the applicant well the outside;
they be reasonably certain that he has seen the
error of his way and is again take his place
in the worlds work as an honorable man. When
the board paroles or discharges a man they want
him to make good" If he does not, it is a refec
ton upon the judgment the members exercised
when they set him FREE consequently, if they seem
1itt1o olo +;,c
there's mighty good behind it, and that
reason is not lack of influence in your favor
bulk of influence against YOU
Every time parole is violatedevery time a
man is brought back, there's general chorus of
L told you so's from certain ones outside who have
not yet reached that perfect state wherein
they can any good in any man, or have conf
dence in anyone who has slipped and fell even but
They the ones who believe in punish
ment to its fullest extent and pooh! pooh! the idea
of criminal reformation.
1t is for this reason, that much depends upon
the paroled and discharged men, The responsibility
for the failure of the parole and indie
terminate sentence systems lies almost entirely with
us. both before and after our release We say be-
fore, because is the time to prepare ourselves
for the life to live when we go forth into
cannot do this unless come to full realization
of how grave offense was which brought us
here. Until do realize it, abhor it, regret it and
almost hate ourselves for STOPPING it's commission
1t would be unsafe for intermngle with the
world again, for unless that crime appears to us in
all its hideousness what reason is there to believe
that would not again fall in the same ditch the
first time came to it?
We cannot reasonably ask for the forgiveness of
our sins unless acknowledge and confess those
sins fully and without reserve, and we cannot con-
TESS them unless we have intelligent knowledge
of their enormity. Until we can feel that our sin
has been forgiven by higher than earthly power.
we have right to expect to pardon our trans
gression; but when sure of this point we can
go and present our petition to the man power with
confidence in ourselves and in ability to live as
we should live when our freedom is granted