Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-09-09
Conven,ion of Deaf NIulcs.

GALLAUOET ASSOCIATION OF DEAF MUTEs
Though not so noisy some other meetings, we
have never attended one where a more general
interest pervaded the whole body, or where
more marked attention was pBid to the efforts of
the orators and we class it decidedly among the
most interesting of the many occasions of public
gathering, which the present Autumn has given
rise to, in this city.
The exercises of the occasion were in the Ian
guage Of signs, as taught at the several institu-
tons for the education of deaf mutes, with spell
ing on the fingers, of proper names and such
words as could not conveniently be expressed by
signs
Rev. T. H. Gallaudet of New York, son of the
late Rev DR.. Gallaudet of Hartford, whose moth
er was deaf mute, and whose wife is one also,
acted as interpreter, for the benefit Of those who
hear, and do not understand the sign language
That the speakers, if so they may be termed, we're
well understood by the mutes, was abundanty
manifested by the simultaneous applause which
broke forth in all parts of the hall, whenever any
thing was expressed, calculated to call forth such
manifestations.
Among those whose faces we were happy to re-
cognize on this occasion, were Rev. W. W
Turner, the faithful and indefatigable Principal
of the Asylum at Hartford, and Rev. Laurent
Clerc, the associate, dating from the foundation
fthat institution, of the two former principals
and Of the present one till within quite recent
period The pleasure that beamed from the faces
of the mutes, and the cordial greetings which
they gave to these their old instructors, on meet
ing them again, after separations Of greater or
less duration, very affecting, and drew tears
from many eyes, not 'used to the melting mood
After prayer by Rev. John o. David Of New
Hampshire, the President, Thomas Brown, Of
West Henniker, N. H., made the opening ad.
dress, welcoming those present to the social en-
joyments OF the occasion.
J. P. Marsh of Roxbury was then introduced,
the orator of the day. He said he was happy
to see assembled, in the central city Of New
England, so large body of brethren. Mr.
Marsh then proceeded to give a brief sketch Of
the life OF the late Rev. Thomas II. Gallaudet,
the great pioneer, to whom all of them were SO
much indebted for the advantages now enjoyed,
in the means of education of the deaf mutes. Mr.
Gallaudet was born in Philadelphia, December TO-
1887, but resided at Hartford after the age of Is
1906 and after six years ofliterary labor, became
a theological student at Andover, and commene.
ed preaching in 1914 While at home during va
cation, he became interested in little bright
deaf and dumb girl, named Alice COggswel,
ond from this circumstance is dated the subse-
quent distinguished devotion of Mr.. Galaudet
to this philanthTopic cause. By the aid and en-
enlargement of Rev. Dr. Coggswell, father Of
Alice, and other influential citizens Of Hartford
and other places, Mr.. Gallaudet was enabled to
visit Europe for the furtherance of the noble
cause he had espoused, and sailed accordingly in
1915, visiting London. Edinburgh, and Paris
During this visit he was introduced to the cele-
brated Able Sicard. the head of the Paris Insti-
tuition for the Deaf and Dumb, and his two favor
lite pupils, one of whom, the venerable Laurent
Olerc. came with him. on his return to this
country, and became bis associate in the Hart
ford institution, and is now present at the age
ofseVenty three years. From Able SiGard, Mr..
g. learned all the modern Improvements in the
mode of education of those unfortunates, and in
1915, after residence Of one year in Europe
embarked for home in company with his friend
and assistant, Mr. CIerc. 1.-THE alusion to Mr.
Clerc was received simultaneously with the most
rapturous applause, from all parts Of the audi
ence, showing how we'll they all understood the
sign language.l
After his return, Mr.. Gallaudet, with the CO.
operation Of his associate, labored arduously to
to introduce the new system of instruction here,
and finally succeeded in opening the American
Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Hartfoid,
April Is, 1917, and served as its Principal
till 1880, after which time he devoted himself to
founding new schools in other localities, and to
writing Scripture biographies. In 1888 he be.
came chaplain to the Connecticut Retreat for the
Insane, and served till death.
September rs, 1850, the graduates of the insti-
tuition founded by them at Hartford, presented to
Messrs. Gallaudet and Clerc each a beautiful
silver pitcher. in token Of their estimation. At
the meeting where the ceremony Of presentation
took place were congregated great number
from abroad, and the occasion will be long re-
membered by them, as the death Of Mr.. g. took
place one year thereafter. He died Sept. 10,
1851. On the 9th Of September, 1854, monu
ment, twenty feet in hight, costing S25OO, was
erected 10 his memory.
Lewis Weld, for thirty one years a pupil Of
Mr.. Gallaudet. died, Dec. 80, 1853. Three other
Of Mr.. Gallaudets early disciples still survive,
as follows DIR. II. A. Peet, LII. d., President
Of the New York Institute for the Deaf and Dumb
at Poushkeepse; Prof Q. Bartlett, Of the same
institute; and Rev. William w. Turner, Third
Principal Of tho American Asylum at Hartford,
now present.
Mr.. Marsh also alluded to two distinguished
deaf mute survivou-Prof. Wilson Of the Amer
lean Asylum, and Prof. J. A. spoaord Of the
Ohio Institution.
Mr.. Clerc is now the Oldest teacher Of the deaf
and dumb in this country, and, probably, in the
world. He resigned his Office in the American
Asylum, Sept. IS, 1856, at the advanced age Off,
to rest from his labor
An interesting account was given, by Mr.
Marsh, Of Mr.. Clerc's accidental acquaintance
with an uncultivated Chinese man, 10 1878, whom
he taught the use Of the sign language, greatly
70 the atonishment and delight Of the Chinese
man, who was before ignorant Of any system Of
language, BY which he could communicate with
the people Of this country.
Mr.. Marsh referred to the formation Of the New
England Gallaudot Association. at the time OF
the erection Of the monument 20 Mr.. GallAudet,
at Hartford, Sept 6, 1854. He then drew a
comparison between the present time and
the period whom there were no educated
muies In the country. Nov, there we're
none unedueatsd-such are improvements within
q Is, few,1k1s. There we're then no institu
np9rAng Powder, Gaps, =.