Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-07-26
PEOPLES COLUMN

country in these days Of war and hard
ships9 What good will they do confined
in a prison now, when there is such a
great appeal to the sons Of America to
heed the call 20 the colors?
The training they would receive in the
army and navy would be more strict.
In the prisons Of this country the men
are trained in discipline and obedience.
In the army and navy they receive this
training.
In reply to the question, "Should
they be liable TO service In the selec-
tive service army as other men arei"
My answer Is Yes. God him
self does not cast away His ira
ternal feeling for Us when we fall If
we repent for our misdeeds we are Just
as dear to Him. God does not make
us inferior TO other men for our sins
all through life So IL is with the con.
Wet. He commits crime, and Is
punished for IL. he comes forth from
prison. his conscience fully acquitted for
his misdeed. he is sorry for his ofense.
Is il right that he should be held in
ferior 20 other men throughout his life 2
aNWH - 4" NNN. I NE NNMNAHN NNMN nus
fully paid the penalty assessed him, and
is resolved 10 do right is as good as
any other man.
We must remember that human
frailty and weakness displayed itself in
our first parents. Should then the
convict be barred from enjoying life as
free man ought TO enjoy iti He is
free man again. What are the rights
free man enjoys in this country One
Of the many rights he enjoys is 10 serve
his country. Is the convict allowed TO
serve his country No; he is not
When he comes forth from prison is
he still a convict or free MANI To my
understanding he is a free man, and Is
/ Just rs worthy as any other man TO
serve his country.
To the last and final questions 'Ii
, you were n soldier, would you be con-
tent 70 have convict in your squad
Would you be willing to have a mess
mate who had Just come from prison p
Ny answer is Eyes" I have always
| endeavored 20 encourage the unfortu-
/ mats. and not TO despise and distruHt him
Unless the convict has some one TO try
/ him, how can he ever prove himself
worthy Of his freedoml II the convict
/ is not encouraged and helped how do you
expect him 70 conqueri He must be
among men, know men and practice what
l his fellowmen practice. Where will you
/ find q more excellent chance for the
convict 20 he among men than in The
army and navyi
The convict as a result Of being bar
red from the world. emerges from th'
prison gates. 10 look the world In The
face. No one is his friend. He find
nothing else 10 do but fall back 70 hii
4 old traits. Then We find him no bettei
after all We can thus clearly see thai
the reformed convict has not the chanel
to redeem himself As 7 understand, {
convict is placed in prison with mi
purpose in view also, that when hi
term expires he will prove worthy o
place in the world again with men
But when the convict Is not treated a
= man how can he make a place 70
himself. when there is no place for him
, We certainly know the spirit whic
has animated every American heart !
this present crisis. but little thought
/ given 10 the convict behind the bar
a whose heart longs 10 be Of service
Z his country. There is patriotism hehir
nj the prison walls, and make this ape