The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-22

sympa,bies ar, all mere deep and active; and
therefore it 10 that their conlpanionship should
be with those whom II is most desirable for
them TO know and love"
These remarks, of course, are applicable TO
adults, for AS DR.. Howe well says "during the
period Of childhood aud early youth, the advan-
tages to be gained by teaching blind children In
classes, the confidence and The hardhood which
are acquired by natural emulation, the mutual
Instruction, and other considerations toe COM
mon to dwell apon,--ail these things outweigh
the necessary evils attendant upon large board
ing schools; but with men and women this Is
not so" a..
| In accordance with these views DIR. Howe,
proposes chat large and commodious work
shop be built, the cost of which would be ten
| thousand doilurs besides the land which could
be given by the Institution. The cost OF The
| building, IL appears to me- should be paid by
| the State, since all parts OF the Stale Will be-
benefited by this provision for class OF persons
many of whom would otherwise come upon the
public for a support
There should be, besides, fund, the interest
Of which will be enough TO pay the rent OF Il
salesroom in the city, the salaries Of salesman,
clerk, and overseer OF work. All the rest OF
The expenses of the establishment should bs
charged 10 the workmen, and the profit should
be div ided among them In fair proportion. IL
should De paid out in the shape Of wages for
their work, TO each according TO his industry
and his merits.
Aid should lie given to them in this way, ra-
lher than In the shape Of board and lodging,
which seems to renew, with every meal, sense
of its source and Of their obligation"
The good results which would flow from such
an establishment are thus briefly but happily
/ presented.
"Inth way thus pointed out, and al an expense
| of less than three thousand dollars, from one
hundred to ono hundred and fifty blind people
might be kept in6ustrously at work, and enabled
to earn, wholly or in great part, their own live
hhood. IL is difficult to imagine how great
er amount of real good can be done with the
same means. II would be doing better even
than to feed the hungry and clothe the naked;
as it would enable them TO feed and clothe them
selves. Bsniiice nee, thus guided by wisdom
would have almost miraculous effect. ltwould
give TO a little money the power of great riches
il would so mpltiply twenty dollars as to make
this sum suffice 10 feed, and clothe, and glad
den, for whole year, man, who, without IT,
would be sitting idly in his darkness, and eating
. the bitter bread Of aims"
Throughout this seventeenth report as well
: as through all The preceding reports striking
thoughts are strewn broadcast which render II a
, interesting as 1t ia valuable, The hint thrown
out in this passage may be of as much imp
ortance TO many seeing, as to any blind persons
"The blind youth needs, as much as any othel
TO 90 out and buffet the world; TO wrestle will
difficulties, get strength and courage by Ions
and varied exercise OF hrs fac ulties After learn
ing his craft in the institution, he needs to hay,
, ms " rraRder-year." The experience of oul
school, limited as IL is TO fifteen years, teache:
. us a valuable lesson in this respect Severa
. Young men having finished their course Of in
strucion, hung about the Institution. half lean.
ing upon it for iid,--onging 10 go forth into tn,
world, yet fearing 10 do sO,--veDiuring some
{ times few steps, Ikea toddllng infant leaving
its mothers knee, a nd then hurryug back; bu
when at last they we're obliged TO go,-wheI
they struck out az It were, boldly, 10 swim o
sink alone,-then they succeeded. such per
sons now tell us that they never felt true self
respect and self-relilnce, until they had thu
. struggled; and that while dependant upol
others, they never considered themselves as o
much worth in the world
And We would commend to the consideration
. of all managers CT benevolent institutions thes
: remarks which, caustc as they are, in too mani
instances we fear are susceptible of Just spplica
= ton
= at is a common error in the administration
of public charitable institutions TO treat the in
, mates like children, though they be adults, an,
D to govern them too much. Such is the charm
! ofexercise of irresponsible power, that even pa
rents often utterly overlook the natural desir,
T and right which childre0 feel of gradually de-
e veloping the individuality Of character by NOR,
, and more Of self guidance and control: the,
G keep them in leading strings, when they ough
10 90 alone; they distort the character BY stint
ing its growth in the natural direction. Th
same love ofpOwer often manifests itself very
plainly in the administration Of charitable in
slitltions by boards of managers, male or f.
; male, especially in Europe. Jealous of then
power, they do not depute ii 10 those in the inn
mediate management of lhe house; indeed the,
rarely choose persons, who will simply enforc;
rules and regulations without the exercise o.
J any thought or discretion
The inmates, therefore, are sometimes tht
victims of charitable tyranny, aud are subject
ed TO an absolute despotism Of benevolence
: They must do everything in particular way
and according to the pleasure Of their governor.
. for the time being, who, with well-rneant bal
iil-judged offclousness, wish to do even thei
thinking for them. They must lie down, gel
up, sit, stand, march, eat and drink, by rule AIT
|, measure. Even their devotions are of a pn,.
scribed form, and their communion with theil
Maker must be at times and in words gravel '
decided upon by the committee; they must say
, grace over viands, though they may happen {,
De unsasory TO them, and return thanks for
'bountilul repast," though they may feel no
hulf filled. The consequence of all ths is apt t.
he clannish spirit, a defiant disposition, rest
essDess and discomfort. The seeds Of Chart,
40 not bring forth the harvest Of gratitude, anC
the fault Is often attributed to the ungratefu
hearts in which they were sown, whereas per.
haps it it is partly because they were not plant.
ed with discerning love-