Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-11-30
DEAF AND DUMB.

DEAF AND DUMB.
Extract of letter to the editors of New
York Commercial Advertiser, dated
TRENTON IN. J. } Nov. 22, 1929
An interesting and move exhibition took
place before the legislature this day, which
has excited an uncommon feeling among
all who witnessed it. About l2 O'Clock,
after the assembly had gone through the
regular business of the forenoon, DR.. Ew-
ing minated to the speaker, that Mr.. Da-
vid G. Seixas, teacher OF the institution
for the deaf and dumb at Philadelphia, was
in attendance with few OF his pupils,
whom he wished 10 EXHIBIT 10 the MEM
bers, for the purpose OF showing their pro-
hciency. Permission was readily obtained,
and the circumstance having been COM
municatedt to the governor and council, with
a request that they would favor the assem-
bly, with. their presence, this was prompt
ly complied with when Mr.. S. in neat
speech, stated that The children be intend
ed to introduce were part OF school be-
gun only four months ago, by The gene
rous sympathy of few individuals al PHI
ladelphia i; that law was passed last WIN
ter by the Legislature Of New Jersey, pro-
viding for the instruction Of twelve indi>
gent deaf and dumb persons in that state |;
that il had been ascertained there was one
deaf and dumb in every 1000 persons, and
that on this data New Jersey contained
1875 persons of that description, four only
OF whom had actually availed themselves
of gratuitous instruction; and that II was
the chief object of bis visit TO this city. to
awaken a more extensive interest IN the
condition of those obscure and silent sui
ferers for which purpose be respectfully
solicited the individual exeriions OF that
honorable body 10 make the law more ge-
neraIly Known in favor OF INDECENT mute,
and to diffuse whatever evidence they
might that day obtain of the advantages OF
their education.
After Mr.. S. had concluded, three boys
and two girls went through their exercises
on Etymoogy, Syntax and Composition
in manner which would have done Gre
dit to children who possessed all their ia
culies, and who had had the benefit Of
four gears tuition, instead OF only tour
months. Your limits will not admit OF 60
ing into detail on this particular; but It
may be noticed (because the sensation 1t
occasioned here, is greater than ever was
excited on any former occurrence, mat
girl only six years of age, acquitted her
self SO well, that she excited the aStGnlsh-
ment of all present. Independent Of the
members of both houses. the exhlb ition
was witnessed by the Governor OF the
state, the Judges of the Supreme Court,
the Clergy, and the numerous and most
respectable portion of the citizens, VINO
were loud in their praises not only OF The
children, but Of the man, who had 10 so
short period so clearly demonstrated the
vast utility oil his system Such, indeed,
was the impression on the minds, OF many,
that they declared in my hearing, they
never could have believed it posslois TO
accomplish so much as had been done,
if they had not been witnesses TO The
fact and SO greatly was their surprise
excited, that they were sure no one
could believe them, were they to ex'
press their convictions and feeling on
the subject. ! have witnessed many eX-
traordinary events in my life, but never
saw such powerful effects produced, as on
this occasion.
The legislature having adjourned I'LL 3
O'Clock; at meeting in the afternoons
vote OF thanks was unanimously passed in
favor of Mr. Seixas and, from the pre-,
vailing disposition, it is expected some
pecuniary aid will be granted to enable
him, and those with whom be is associated,
to carry into complete effect their noble
design of rescuing thousands OF human be,
ings from state of mental darkness, and
eIevating them to he rank of intelligent
and social members of the community.