New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-12
THE STATE IDIOT ASYLUM
spee Of The ". z. Tdbans.

SYRACUSE, a'nrday, Sept. 9, 1854.
Yesterday was with US noteworthy, i0ssmuch as the
Cornerstone Of the State Idiot Asylum was laid &C
eompsntd by appropriate ceremonies. The site OF
the Institution is on a hill, nearly mile from the
heart Of the city and the surrounding scenery s well
calculated TO fsvorably influence the unfortunaies
who may be sent bither.
AT gu early hour large concourse of our citizens
and many strangers assembled upon the ground TO
witness the ceremonies. Owing 10 sickness the Gov
ernor was not present. After music from the Band,
prayer from the Rev. w b. Ashley, and singing by the
Assembly our worthy Mayor spoke briefly and peril
penty AMI ths IA laid the cornerstone. The metallic
box deposited under he stone contained various doc
umeDts relative to the efforts made for the amelora
ton of the mental condition of Idiots, together with
the usual journals, and the names of the donors for
the site of the Institution.
DIR. Wilbur Superintendent of the Institution thea
read a suecDct history of the NeF-fOrk Asylum for
IDIOT but the facts contained therein were
time snce given 10 your readers thorough the editorial
columns OF The TRIBUNE forbear a repetition. Az
ter another hymn,
Warrington Hunt, Ex- Governor OF the State then
addressed the audience. After brief review of the
public institutions established fostered by the State
for the relief of the poor and the unfortunate he OBJ
served:
Yet there remained a class of unfortunates the
most wretched and helpless Of our fellow beings, for
whose relief no effort had been made because all ef
fort was deemed impracficable and hopeless. The
idi) orally e1ctes feelings of compassion ssddened
by the painful reflection that his ororn condition al
mits Of no essential Improvement. Though created
in the human FORM he appears at first be destitute
OF ell the moral and intellectual attributes which dis
tngush man from the brute that perisheth - and
in most this degradation is aggravated by de-
gree of ply steal Dcapacty which renders him more
impoient, in respect TO his wants, than the lower
grades Of animals. The divine gift OF reason with
which oar Heavenly Father endo we'd the race of i'm.
mOrtas whom he created in his Osn IMAGE was for
merry believed TO be absolutely withheld from the
ordinary subject OF idiocy His life was perceived to
be burden TO himself and to others. Alike insens-
bic to kindness reproof, maternal affection was law
izhed in vain upon the IDIOT child. As advancing
yfsfs Increase bis stature and strength, he is often
object OF dead disgust aud his r-pulsye presence
becomes a source OF daily humiliation and ailing
tear. sOfroging parents and kindred cOntemp late
bis misery Nth agOniZng despair. Can consid-
or il strange then, that, until recent period, the id
Oiic should have been treated victims Of nexOr-
able destiny, doomed to q state Of debasemsRt too
profound TO admit Of amelioration 7 How difficult
it for many Of as 70 be persuaded that their
dition s susceptible Of moral mental improve
ment With what emotion Of gratitude a0d adLsira-
ton ought we to regard the generous benefaeOrs who
have rescued this elias. of beings from their degrade
tion bringing them from darkness TO light aud awak-
cnHg into existence, the living soul which seemed
10 be lost in night Ii was reserved for mod
philanthropy to discover that the idiot is not
beN Oud The reach Of bsneyOence and to demonstrate
by actual result that be retains some latent germs OF
intellect whieb may he developed by patient culture
and that large portion OF this class Of sufferers
May be cub ec.sd TO heallbf1l discipline. employed
in asefnl labor and raised to a condition Of
comparative intelligence and comfort Only
few years lave elapsed since the first schools for
the Instruction and training Of idiots we're instituted
in Europe. The snsce-s OF the experiment ia France
coon induced other nations to follow their example.
IL bas been truly said that 10 an eminent citizen Of
own State belongs the high hOnlr Of being the
hrsi American Legislator 10 advocate the claims OF the
IDIOT end initiate measures for his relief Frederick
I. Baeku then Member Of the kew-YOrk SENATE
the 6rst 10 bring forward bill providing for the
erection Of State Asylum for that purpose. Nv
OWE feelings seconded By sense OF personal Justice
and proper regard for truth OF history prompt me
20 this public acknowledgment of his claims upon
gratitude sHd cannot permit the occasion to
pass without cODgratuaiing him the success which
now rewards hi. labOrs IN this work OF humanity
Peace bath her victories and according 70 NV
estimate Of worldly renovn, the triumph which
crowns bis phisnihrcpe efforts 10 more truly glorious
than the victories by which countries have beeaseso
lated esd the happiness Of mankind sacrificed ucon
the altar 81 national pride or personal ambition.
Gov. II init reviewed the course Of legislation on
the suffice; Of tie Asy lum, paid very high and de-
served compliment 10 DR.. Wilbur and conelndsd his
address IS foI0ws:
The erection IL this, the fire. State Asylum for
I0iois, Of which the foundation has nav leon laid
should be regarded not The contamination but The
commencement Of q system 10 be prosecu,ed and ar
tened By oidIrg founding smiiar schools ia oe-
81 ciions Of the Safe until al who neef Il all Dar,ie
pate ID lie blessings OF generous pabhe charity
W may slso indulge The hope that other :, nc. wU
esteem obr cSas'p.s ~ iy imitation mill tbe want,