When I was in Berlin, I went into the public prison, and visited every
part of the establishment. At last I was introduced to a very large
hall, which was full of children, with their books and teachers, and
having the appearance of a Prussian school-room. 'What!' said I, 'is
it possible that all these children are imprisoned here for crime?' 'O
no,' said my conductor, smiling at my simplicity; 'but if a parent is
imprisoned for crime, and on that account his children are left
destitute of the means of education, and are liable to grow up in
ignorance and crime, the government places them here, and maintains
and educates them for useful employment.' This was a new idea to me. I
know not that it has ever been suggested in the United States; but
surely it is the duty of government, as well as its highest interest,
when a man is paying the penalties of his crime in a public prison, to
see that his unoffending children are not left to suffer and inherit
their father's vices. Surely it would be better for the child, and
cheaper as well as better for the state. Let it not be supposed that a
man will go to prison for the sake of having his children taken care
of; for those who go to prison, usually have little regard for their
children. If they had, _discipline_ like that of the Berlin prison
would soon sicken them of such a bargain.--_Professor Stowe_.