Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-08-25
Number 47.

school, Fort this, it is not necessary that I give my reasons. My in action was not ow- ing to any want of sympathy for the blind. nor ignorance of the importance of their mental education. Believing that my ob- jections to the institution at,the time of it's starting, have been partially if not wholly removed, 1 have now no hesitation in of fering any kind of assistance in my power for a successful prosecution of the enter prise.
 The success of the institute, under the conduct of MT. Patten, its present able and efficient principal, is highly gratifying to it's friends, and interesting to the public. It has been demonstrated that an institution. supported solely by individual contribu tons, for an object purely benevolent, can succeed in Arkadelphia, and if no more should be done than has already been ac- complished, the proud satisfaction will re- main with patrons of the school, that sever al of the unfortunate of their race, shut out from all the beauties and advantages afford ed others from the organ of vision, have. through their benevolence. been made par ticipants in the advantages of an intellectu al cultivation; have been taught to read and write. to have general outline of the geo. graphy of the earth. capable of tracing on map, rivers, lakes, gulfs, oceans, land. etc., to give attitudes and longitudes of countries, cities and towns, taught the power of numbers, the soul inspiring beauties of music, and their hands the ready employ ment of some useful occupation. But more hn N rlr not much longer finger behind her sister States, in making some provisions for the unfortunate blind. Here Is all institution already in successful operation. under the control of competent teacher. and super vision of an excellent board of trustecs.- A small appropriation by the State, and the appointment of one or more trustees on It's part, to see that its benevOence is pro- perly directed, will place the institute in a condition to educate every blind child ill the State. That our State will do some thing for this institution st its legislature, l have every confidence, if the matter is properly presented.
 Meanwhile, the institute presses it's claims upon benevolent publc-caims not of an eleemosynary charactel-but right proper and dutiful in themselves The Wind! the BLISD. shut out by nature or by accident, from the sight of heaven and earth-grop- ing their way through the life of this world in utter darkness and hopeless despair, their parents or friends too poor to send them to far of schools for the education of the blind, themselves incapable of earning livelihood for want of instruction in the mcans-call upon you, out of the depths of this visual darkness. to afford them the means of an intellectual cducation--that they may sec the beauties of nature mentally-that they may be taught some useful employment- that they may be made the instructors of other blind to come after them, perhaps of your own offspring after you and shall have passed the portals of this our earthly lite. Shall these unfortunate beings be suffered to drag on through life, theirweary steps, without hope, without solace. with out one ray of cultivated intellectual happi ness? I would not be too importunate; but let the wealthy-those who have the means, and to spare-think of these things.
 Respectfully,
 = NJ SCOTeP