New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-23
M
Publishing for the Blind.

\ TO THE sUBACRIEERs AND DONORS OF PRINTING
i FOR THE BLIND. %%
4 About the time the war commenced, our gross
4 subscription amounted to over s63 600. including
cash on hand, about So 600, an appropriation Of
II $1,000 from the State Of Mississippi and the same
i amount from the State of Tennessee, to be drawn
i when these would make $4,000. Owing to the
confusion and the commencement of the war, the
4 appropriations were not drawn, and the time has
! passed ii which the $4,000 should have been
iraised. But we hope no one will take advantage
Of this to withdraw his contribution, as we intend
to resume orr labOrs as soon as circumstances will
admit. Indeed, the Mississippi board has amended
its charter leaving out contingencies, reserving
the right to locate hepublishing house, as it was
first organized, and at the point which had been
previously selected, louisville, KY, condition
ally. We would like an expression. from on
friends, as to what seems the best location While
we intend TO be governed by the interest Of the
blind, we are aware that a large sum of money
will be necessary; and to raise it, we must be in
position to successfully appeal to those who have
means. We design procuring donations both from
individuals and States.
In recognizing, we bring in another proposition,
which, # successful, will be Of great value to the
blind as it will give to them increased facilities
to acquire liberal and systematic education
besides, it will reduce the expense of their educa
ton. These two. points granted, no person can,
with any show of reason. object to our PROPOSE.
ton. We therefore ask the friends to lay aside
every consideration of prejudice, State pride, ETC..
and consider what Is 10 the real interest of the
blind. AAnd we are sure there can be but one con-
elusion-that will be cordial cooperation to aid
us in carrying out our design. That is this; to es.
tablish in connection with the American printing
house general institution Of learning, under the
name Of the American University for the Blind, in
which there shall be a preparatory department to
receive young pupils from those States which have
no primary school, and in the high school depart
ment the advanced pupils from those States which
have an institution # Is obvious to every inteli-
dowed, would be able to support frst.cass profess
sors. and greatly increase the facilities of the
blind TO acquire liberal education.
The plan of organization remains unchanged,
receive donations etc.. and transmit the same to
the executive hoard. The executive will be char
tered under certain restrictions and subject to the
inspection and direction Of q visiting committee,
composed Of representatives from the several
State boards each Of whom will have the right at
any time to examine the books, management etc,
Of the executive board, and SHALL at their annual
meetings I'LL vacancies, and may remove those who
have been unfathful The general agent is required
TO make an annual report to the public and at the
same time hold the State or local agents to an &C.
count for all the funds received by them. So we
have State board TO protect the interest of each
State; an executive board, to apply the funds and
carry on the institution; visiting committee, to
hold each to account for funds entrusted to them:
general agent, to make public the acts of ALL in-
GLIDING the State and local agents. This maehin,
1nAy stcHt poAucIbus W sQHie+ sDuV IL Is pre-
sumed to act as self.supporting bridge, each
part pressing the other to its proper place, and
giving strength to the whole.
But some will say that we ask too much for the
blind yet all will admit that they should receive
ait the public expense food and rament. When
educated, some of them become self-sustaining,
and useful members of society. We heard blind
man say that he was making $1,000 per year by
teaching French and musieiin female college.
Those to whom it is necessary to present the edu-
cation of the blind IN the shape of a business
transaction are small minority, though some of
them are In high places and their indifference, or
negative influence, has been felt by the blind, and
those laboring to ameorate their condition. A
great majority of the civilized world acknowledge
that they should be educated at the public ex-
pense. If SO, and our position be true that 1t
would cost less. and give the blind greater adyan
tages, to educate them at q general institution of
learning Of high order, none who are actuated by
single desire to benefit the blind, can object to
our proposition, to establish the American Uni
versity and Printing House for the blind, and this
recognize the claims of humanity, and those of
christianity, in establishing these monuments Of
enllghtenea philanthropy; beacon lights that viii
sena forth their rays far and wide to discover the
pIeakers and quicksands to the sightless mariner,
M Sars ral bark Is driven by the tempest over
81 s,,...,.. p, B. sHERRoD, General Agent
frihting House and University tor Blind.
/. y osDERruL "a another Of the series If resan.
tloHs breathing death and isaS..