Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-01-29

l
Correspondence of the Democrat.
Indianapolis Asylum for the Blind ani
Insane. School Taxation, &c.
EDITOR Observation-Disclosures there arr
many of your readers who have never Wis
tied the Capitol of our State. Let such al
one, on going to indianapolis for the frs
time, ascend to the Top of the Asylum fol
the Blind where he has a fine view of the
whole city and he will exclaim, as l did
"This is tie place for our State Capitol
| was going to write description of the
city, the Capitol grounds, DC, but when /
bethought me of the public spirit of Mar
shall county's sons l thought best to desist,
as perhaps every one of them is expecting
soon to become servant of the people. and
be sent hither himself. Thus my descrip-
ton would only break the charm of novelty
If these aspirations should chance to be
realized. But ifthese aspirors do reach
the Capitol in this way, their time will no
doubt, be so completely absorbed with the
cares of State as to leave them no time for
visiting the Asylum. Hence few words
concerning these may net be unaccepta-
bic.
The Institution for the Blind IS very
LARGE, handsome edifice situated in the
north side of the city. On visiting it. the
first that attracted my attention was the
sound of music, vocal and instrumental, is
suing from various.rooms; and occasionally
one of the blind would pass us in the halls
singing merrily, thus manifesting great en-
joyment, while shut out nearly every thing
that, to us, makes life happy. Various
kinds of work are performed by the inmates
such as weaving, making brushes aud will
low baskets. Their library is quite a Gu
riosity.s The raised letters require much
space. noticed copy of Davies Leg
endre's Geometry in five volumes folio.-
Ny visit was at such an hour as TO prevent
my Witnessing any of the school exercises:
nor did learn how many there are in the
institution
From the Asylum for the Blind we re-
paired to the Insane two miles west of the
city. Here We were shown through the
differ ent wards by one of the gentlemanly
officers of the Institution. 1t is truly pit
able, on entering one of the wards, to see
the wild stare of lunacy which meets YOU
from SO mahy coun.enances. Ifyour sym
pathies were called forth in behalf of those
to whom all the beauties of nature are for
ever closed, it was forgotten in the midst
Of those whose minds are total blank
the windows of whose souls arc darkened.
The inmates are permitted to engage in
of various kinds, and some of
them even work little. None ofthem are
kept constantly confined though in one or
two of the wards visitors are not allowed
As we entered the building, and again on
leaving, from window Of one of these lat
ter wards, we were assailed with the most
bitter denunciations, for daring 10 "trespass
on the property of the Commonwealth of
Virginia. >" There is marked difference
in the conduct of the sexes. Most of the
men are seen standing or sitting alone,
seeming lost in thought, were it not for the
vacant expression of the eye. Scarcely a
word passes between them. On the other
hand on reaching the door of ward for
the women buzz is heard, and you enter
to find nearly every tongue busy. The
constitutional peculiarly of the sex is man.
Tested here in all its purity. My compan-
ion who happened to be quite tall young
man, was claimed as a Presbyterian prea-
cher" by one of them, and no sane Yankee.
could ask questions faster than she did
Some of them take much pride in dress,
others are entirely careless as to their APP
pearance. We were informed that there
are 255 inmates.
This Asylum, and also that for the Blind
is kept in the neatest manner; no public
house could present a cleaner or more in
viting appearance. We spent short time
very agreeably in conversation with Drs.
Arthur and Barnes, and left with sad con
seriousness of the fallibility of all things
earthly.
Much to my regret, want of time prevent
ed my visiting the Asylum for the Dea
and Dumb.
These Asylums were erected, and al
the expenses incurred by them are defray
ed by the State. This is more than ha.
been done by any other State in the Union
thus placing Indiana in the front rank will
respect to charitable institutions This i
noble manifestation of the iberality o
our citizens. and, judging from this liber
atty in providing for our unfortunate son