Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-06-12

tCHduCG VIC IuOlNSS vi HCait SuOuiu Si'N -
suspicion and jealousy. Ay this is the venom sting
of blindness and "sharper than serpents tooth is
Education and strong mind may correct these grea
bemishes, but religion alone in lis purity can wipe
them out forever.
The Blind have been accused ofingratitude. There
may be individual instances, but as applying to them
as class, lbelieve the charge to be totally unbound
ed. 1t is true they will not bow down and lick the
hand of him who has deigned pluck thorn from
their pathway. But they will be graefuln their hearts
and silently pray God 10 bless them. They are the
children of aflicon, but they ask not cold, unmean
ing pity. Yet they require 10 lis fullest measure the
steady, unwavering kindness Of their fellow men,
For there is void in their lives, deep and so"ast
that all Se Kindness, all the sympathy all the ten
derness of loved ones can never fill The Siroc in its
fury hath swept over them, and desoation reigns
where the flowers Of affection might have bloomed
Your happiness is positive, is real; theirs is mega
tive, unreal, an unsubstanal dream; the sunlight upon
the distant hill is seen but not felt for in their high
est estate. when friend and fortune, and learning have
smoohed their rough pathway oflie dependence still
stings like reptile in the breast. there is one be-
ing than another, that needs the enderes! SYM
pathies of your nature, it is the Coe stricken Blind
girl In her pilgrimage through this world, she pucks
but few flowers of Joy, she drinks but from no foun-
tain Of bright sparkling pleasure. Hopes delusve
star which beams on the horizon other early days,
is lost in the night ere the zenith is reached But
murmuring and resigned, she must journey on, con-
tent till liles pilgrimage is over m the valley ofthe
dark shadow is past Then the long night will have
ended and the morning will dawn on that bright hal
lowed land where the mountains are of sapphire and
the valleys are wales of light. Where each tree and
shrub and flower is the embodiment of perfume.
Where the eyes knows no darkenng, and the sorrow
ing soul finds rest.
1t is believed by some that the Blind though edu-
Gated, can never be made competent TO instruct the
SEEING Experience however, has happily proved
that if the Blind Teacher has been properly and thor
oughly educated, he makes perhaps the best instruc-
tor seeing youth, because his very necessities ope-
rate to their advantage. This is question of vital
Importance to the benefcares ofthis Institution and
one which strikes at the primary object of its origin.
al organization.
If this prejudice or erroneous opinion has taken
firm root in the minds of the people, the benevolent
designs of the Institution have already been lrustra
ted These unfortunate beings who have struggled
after knowledge, with the intensity Of toll, may
turn in bitterness to their homes-Vrg nia may take
back the liberal bounty and blot from her history the
records of her generous but unwse Legislation. But
if those pupils who by exemplary conduct and intel
eclual allalnlnenlS Have Saiueu He CouuueCe dtlu
esteem of their Instructors who have obtained from
the Board of Visitors an honorable discharge ell
couraged in their laoors-our honored State will have
no cause to regret her beraly, but will be content
in the consciousness Of having gladdened the hearts
Of them"whom melancholy had marked for her own"
In her benevolence she has umined that chaos
Of mind where mental darkness brooded. In her
po,cer she hath said "Lct there be light and there acas
Eghtn And as the genial sun in the physical world
revyiies the earh,s will learnings light make the
desert hearts Of the Blind TO rejoice and blossom
the rose.
At meeting of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia In
stiluon for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb and Of
the Blind at Staunton, May 3lst, 1850
Resolved unanimously That HUeH w. SHEFFEY, Esq,
be requested to furnish the Board for publication copy
his address this day delivered before the Board on present
ing the sChamberayne Medal" to II. CHICHESTER, of the
County Of Harrison, graduate of the Deaf Mute Depart
ment. copy-Ieste
MICH. c. KINNEY, Secry.