Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-05-15

SO trained and instructed as to render
them useful to themselves and fitted .tc
learn some of the ordinary trades or tc
engnge in mechanical or agricultural pur-
sui,s; their midds and souls C n be devel-
oped SO that they may become responsible
beings. acquainted with their relations tc
their creator and future state, and their
obligations to obey the laws and respect
the rights Of their fellow citizens. In all
cases they can be made cleanly and neat
in their personal habits anu enabled to
enj the bounti;s ofsproyidence and the
comforts Of life, and to cease being incum-
berances to the families in which they re-
side"
The trustees of the Ohio state asylum
for the education Of imbecile and idiotic
youth in reference to this snbject, use the
following language
lit gives us great pleasure to notice
the increased favor with which the insti-
tuition is regarded by the public-the re-
suit simply of it's becoming better known.
1t has pursued its course in an unobtru-
slve manner. having tor its object the re-
lief Of a terrible affection, its means be-
ing circumscribed, and its results accru-
Ing slowly. But an acquaintance with
the progress made dispels skeptclsm, and
inspires enthusiasm in its behal Idiocy
is only horrible or disgusting when neg
lected. 1t is our misfortune that they
have been known onl in this condition.
Where they are left to grow up in idle
ness and ignorance, becoming filthy and
loathsone In their habits and deteriora-
ting to a point, in somo instances, seem
ingly below the animals. This is not the
condition met with here. An object is
placed before them they are animated
by it; they are led gently forward to en-
counter those obstacles which bar
their way. Kindness and care beget
in them consciousness, intelligence,
and effort, and the progress made is a
gratifying response to our christian SYM
pathles for the misfortunes of our race, as
we'll as one Of the evidences of our civil
lzation as people"
AS the most moderate view of this sub
iect, we propose to add the following from
for idiotlc and feeble minded youth
'There is good reason to hope that ma
ny OF the pupils wall, by their careful
training here, and by the iorce Of habit,
be fitted 10 fill some tumble place in So
CIety, and with the old of lsrnd friends
lead lives of innocence and usefulness
their changes of doing SO is immeaSura-
rable greater than if they were alone, and
1t is clearly onr duty to give it to them.
And even those who must ever be entire
ly dependent, and must take their place
in the grea' class WIN, through lack OF
sense or through disturbed mental pow
ers. must be cared for by others-eyen
to those about them, and less unhappy In
themselves, in consequence OF the treat
ment and training they receive during
youth i'll this institution.
We might multiply these quotations
indefinitely, but deem it unnecessary, as
the foregoing were selected at representa-
tive Of this class, and are conclusive, sc
far as opinions expressed in general terms
can be. And the following summary OF
results, upon which these opinions are
based, if tlue-and they are not denied
would render it exceedingly difficult fol
any one to arrive at different conclusion
The superintendent of the Ohio state
asylum for the education of idlotic and
imbecl,e youth, sums up the results III
suits in that institution, as follows:
"Onr attachment and zeal for the work
in winch we are engaged has been greatly
increased by the satisfactory results at
tanned.
OF The fifty children under instruction
dnrlns the year, twenty-seven read and
write nine of this number have lmprov'
ed so much as to be able to send letters OF
| their own composing to their friends
Seventeen OF the remaining twenty three
have learned TO read words, leaving SIX
who know nothing, as yet OF ideas as ex
pressed by slgns. Sevoi OF the larger
male puplls nave been regular workers III
our garden and shop. Twelve little girls
sew neatly, nine OF them working In the
mat-shop, and the whole number engag
Ing efficiently aud regularly IN domestic
duties. A class OF eight girls and three
boys have engaged in the manufacture Of
fancy articles, which display ingenuity
ana neatness that would be credl able tt
children OF brighter lntelects. Vegeta
bles IN abundance and variety, for the use
of the institution during the summer anc
for the coming winter, have rewarded the
efforts Ot those who abored in the garden
| L be productive capacity of the pupils
however, have not oeen fully tested to-
want OF facilities
Vi these fifty pupils, not one knew any