Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-27
DEAF AND DUMB.
American Convention of Instructors.

The Seventh Convocation of Instructors of
the Deaf and Dumb has just held its session at
the Indiana Institution, having convened on
the oath and closed on the 10th instant.
The convocation was largely attended, much
more SO than on any previous occasion, dele
gates being present from nearly every institu-
ton in the United States. Among the more
prominent members were DR.. Peet, Emeritas
Principal of the New York Institution, who
may be justly styled the Nestor of the profess
sion, and who, though he has passed the al
lotted period of three score and ten, is still Wig
orous and alive to the true interests of the deaf
aud dumb; Isaac Lewis Peet, Acting Princi-
pal TO the Institution, of which his distin-
gulshed father was so long the head, and his
worthy successor, the Rev. Collins Stone, Prln-
clpai Of the Hartford Asylum, who was appro-
priately honored by being selected as the pre-
siding officer OF the convention, and who SO
ably and satisfactorily performed its duties !;
Thomas Gallaudet, Rector of ST. Ann Church
for Deaf Mutes In New York city, the only
church of the kind in the world E. NJ. Gal
laudet, L. l.. d., President of the National
Deaf Mute College, in Washington City. Hon
orable mention should also be made of j. Scott
Hutton, Principal Of the Institution at Halifax,
Nova Scotia Of the Hon. J. W. Langmuir
Inspector Of Asyums, Prisons and Public
Charities, Ontario, Canada of the Rev. John
u. Brown, D. D., SO ably representing the in
terests of the Day School, at Pittsburg, Penn
sylvania; of the Hon. l.. }. Dudley, Director
of the Clark Institute, Northampton, Massa-
chusetts, aud OF James j. Barclay, Director of
the Philadelphia Institution.
Nor would we forget the genial and afable
Palmer, of North Carolina, or his modest and
worthy neighbor, Walker. of South Carolina !;
the gentemanly New Whorter, of Louisiana, or
the digniGed Covell, of Virginia.
Due need of praise should be awarded also
to the younger members OF the fraternity, who,
if they lack in experience, are by no means de-
icient ' in zeal in their noble calling.
Among the older teachers who should share
equally in the honors of the Institutions with
which they are connected, may be mentioned
Rev. John r. Keep, of the Hartford Asylum !;
Professor Samuel Porter, of Columbia College;
G.. G. w. Gamage, of the New York Institu-
ton: William Willard, one of the first pupils
educated in the United States and the pioneer
of deaf mute instruction in Indiana. There
were also present, many deafmute teachers,
and lady teachers with whom we failed to make
acquaintance. Not to particularize farther, the
convention, we may venture to say, was COM
posed of as dignifed and intelligent body of
teachers as ever gathered to consult In regard
to the interests OF education and humanity.
Several of the Principals and the Professors
were accompanied by their wives, who together
with all delegates present, were entertained at
the Institution, by Mr.. MacIntire, the Super
intendent, and his estimabe lady, pot forget
ting to mention the efficient services of Prof.
j. c. Gordon, who SO ably performed the du-
ties of Secretary of the Convention.
The Convention was organized by appointing
for President, Rev. Collins Stone; Vice Presi-
dents, e. NJ. Gallaudet, III. W. Milligan, w.
j. Palmer, Isaac l.. Peet anu j. j. Barclay !;
Secretaries, Joseph q. Gordon and Prot. E. A.
Fay; Interpreter, Rev Thomas Gallaudet.
Numerous papers were presented for the
consideration of the Convention, of marked
ability, and which were pre-eminently of a
practical bearing. The papers embraced in
their scope the varied topics pertaining to deaf
mute instruction, and excited much discussion.
The opening paper was read by Prof H. s..
GiIlet, of the Indiana Institution. Subject
Language" The leading idea was that, in
teaching the deaf language, constant practice
in the use Of verbal language, regardless of
the rigid rules OF Syntax and Analysis, was
most essential to success. The paper was phi
losophical and finished, and was warmly and
unanimously commended
The next paper was read by Professor Henry
A. Turton. Of Iowa. Subject Prizes or Re-
wards as Incentives to Study in the School
Room" The writer took strong grounds a.
galnst the system. 1t is believed the general
opinion of the Convention was that other in
centlves should be used rather than merit
| marks and rewards for good scholarships, for
| the best interests of all concerned.
The third paper was from T. j. Valentine,
of Wisconsin, ''On the Order of Signs" His
idea was, that in teaching the deaf the Eng
lish language, the signs should be made in the
order OF the words as they occur, in contradis-
tinction from natural signs, which have no ref
erence to language, strictly speaking, which
caused quite long and animated discussion,
from all of which we CLEAN that it makes but
little difference what system is used, so thai
| signs are not used too much in which case they
retard rather than expedite the pupil in hii