The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-10-26


tuition. In majority of the cases, at this time,
a considerable, additional amount is annually ex-
pended, by the State for clothing, and other char
ges, on account of the extreme Indulgence of some
of our bene6ciaries The expenses at the Insti-
tuition for the Blind in Boston, for board and
tuition is one hundred and sixty dollars, each
year, for pupil. Something, in addition, is also
there expended for necessary clothing and Incl
dentals. The Commissioners, have, frequently,
found it a painful task to make proper dscrimina-
ton, as TO allowance for the support of pupils,
reckoning from the common expenditure for
board and tuition to that offul support 1t has
been rendered obviously more advantageous both
for parents and children to draw something, as
Icontrbuton, from those nearly connected by ties
of blood and sympathy, where that something
can possibly be advanced than for the State to
incur the whole expense. 1t creates and keeps
alive, an interest which is saIutary TO all con
Icerncd.
The Asylum Tor the Deaf and Dumb, and the
Institution for the Blind have been visited, during
the current year. by one Of the Commissioners.
The examination has resulted IN deepening the
conviction, not only that these schools are of a
high and improving character, but. also, that the
State of Vermont has engaged in a work Of i'm
mense importance in her care and education OF
those whom Providence has visited with such
great privaton$.
In point Of political economy, the youth, wheth-
er Deaf and Dumb, or Blind, who acquires full
education, returns to his native state prepared for
the duties of citizen and able to provide for
himself and others Instead of passing thro' a
long life, burden to friends, and eventually de-
pendant on the public, he becomes the righful
guardian Of his own resources, and happiness.
In both these Institutions the pupils are trained
to some employment which will enable them to
obtain respectable livelihood. The school
oom and the work shop alternately engage the
time of the pupils, so that course of study and
healthful labor 90 hand in hand. In this manner
the youth is not only instructed in booklearning,
but in some useful and profitable trade. His
mind is moulded and fashioned and cultivated,
and rendered susceptible of great and increasing
enioyments The mute establishment, the vacant
wonder. with which he gazes on all surrounding
objects is exchanged for intellectual contemp ation
and philosophic thought And the poor blind
bow whose eye was never delighted with the
touching scenes of Nature, or the gladdened face
of her who bore him, is made, by the plastic hand
of Education, comparatively cheerful, useful and
happy tho his little mind is imprisoned in its
dark cell, for life. And last, but not least, at
these Institutions, the duties, the obligations, and
anmating hopes Of an immortal being are taught
and understood. Great and unceasing care is
taken of the mora! character at these schools Of
benevolence, and while the mind is strengthened
and enlightened, the heart Suppressed with les
sons of duty. To the political economist to
the philosopher, and to the christian phiIanthro-
pst, the physical, intellectual, and moral educa
ton of the Deaf and Dumb, and Blind addresses
itself with irresistible argument and power. In
every view of it, the advantages are beyond hu-
man estimate. Sympathy and duty utility and
enjoyment are most tremendously blended in ali
that relates to the education of these classes Of
our fellow beings. And, if the whole appro-
praton of year. in this STATE. were necessary
TO the successful training and education of one
unfortunate Deaf and Dumb, or Blind youth. it
would be nationally expended. While thou
sands are frequently avished by an indulgent
father on a reprObae son, to raise him 10 COM
mon responsibility, a few hundreds are here
most successfully employed in advancing the in
telIigence, the virtue and ceaseless happiness of
as brilliant minds and tender hearts, as were ever
bestowed on man. Nor is it to be overlooked
that among the mysteries of Providence, to the
distresses of poverty, the deprivaons of speech,
and sight are strange y superadded And, besides
not unfrequently in the same family will be found
one, two, three and four, mute from birth. Such
facts admonIsh those, who enjoy health and af1lu-
ence and the delights Of sight and speech, to as
sst the distressed, with bouniiful hand and
cheerful heart. Public charity does, indeed in
such cases, TALL like the gentle dew of heaven
'it blesseth him that gives, and him that takes"
1t is not presumed, by the Commissioners, that
any additional appropriations will be, at present,
needed. But while TIE State of Vermont thus
takes kind care of her unfortunate and destitute
children it cannot be an idle task to remind her
Of those high obligations which should not be
suffered to lose strength by lapse of time.
Respectfully submitted,
HOPKINS, J CONS of the Deaf &
JOHN DEWEY, Dumb and Blind, of
A. G. WHlTTEMORE, Vermont.
Oct. 10, A. D. 1889.