Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-12-15
For the True Democrat
 The Deaf and Dumb of Arkansas.

The Deaf and Dumb Of ArKansds. MIR. ED1ToR-Permit me to suggest to the peo- pie of Arkansas, through your paper, the impor- tance and possibility of erecting State lnstitu- ton for the education of the deaf and dumb within her borders.
 The last census showsa large number of deaf and dumb persons who are of suitable age to re- ceive instruction By this time, with popula- ton of over 3OO,OOO there must be 15O mute per sons groping in total ignorance. The writer him. selfis teacher of the deaf and dumb at present, I, and has passed many years in their midst and and his benevolent feelings are the cause of this humble effort in their behalf.
 A school could be commenced at once in the capital, and the yearly appropriations for its support would be mere trifle on the treasury, while the good resulting from it would be four fold, and reflect honor upon the State. There is an institution in each of the following States, supported by them respectively: Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio Ken lucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana Mississip. pi Texas, Alabama Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. The system of instruction IS uni' form, it being the sign and written languages Texas appropriated ten thousand dollars las' year for the amelioration of her deaf and dumb together with a grant of 1000 acres of land. Still her census shows a lesser mum Der of mutes than your own State does, and learn by reliable correspondence that but small number are in actual attendance ant from such information the writer Is led to be ieve that Arkansas will produce twice tha number at the opening of school, and th' thought is encouraging for the establishment o one in the capital, and such noble establish ment would bespeak honor to the State ' Will the State enlist its sympathy, and b "ready to every good work?" Her resource are abundant and she enjoys an overtiowln treasury at present, and what can be more enc bling to her than to do justice to her unfortu mates? Five thousand dollars would be trlfi indeed in the way of rescuing from pitiabl darkness few souls precious beyond value and this she can freely give away without feel ing the loss.
 Like the other institutions, board of trus tees could be created by the governor, int whose hands the funds and external manage ment of the school should be thrown, and tn benevolent designs of the State thus faithful carried out
 The writer offers to undertake the control c school if sufficient encouragement and suppor be promised him. He would probably ope one by subscription especially from among tn \ parents and friends of the mutes.
 Though ] enjoy pleasant and proftabl situation here, still my benevolent feeling prompt me, like the missionary, to widen m. sphere of usefulness, and carry the glad tiding to the poor benghted mutes, where such i ! not.
 Will the people of Arkansas express thei interests in the deaf and dumb of their Stat at the meeting of their next legislature? Sucl is the earnest desire of the writer, and ma heaven shower her blessings on so noble al enterprise.
 HIRAM PHILLIPS.
 DelaUin, WalworM Co.,, Wis.