Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-24
The HteherEduens


The Higher Education Of Deaf Nutes
Among the institutions Of learning fostered BY
American liberality which serve - striking IL
Illustrations Of our progress, and reflect honor
upon the nation, IL the National Deaf Mute
College, located at the capital. 1t is distinctive
in its character, being the only institution in
the world where deaf mutes receive Q regular
course OF collegiate instruction. Ii was not
until the last half Of the eighteenth century
that the discovery was made that the uufortu-
nate Class referred to are capable of instruc-
ton. Prior to that time they we're classed
with idiots, and prescribed as incompetent
and imbeciie. the ancients believing them
to labor under the curse of heaven.
The first school in the United States for the ed
ucation Of the deaf and dumb was established in
Hartford in 1918, and soon after other schools
sprung up, until now there thirty-three in
stitutioDs and nve day schools for mutss in the
United States, having an aggregate attendance
OF nearly 5000 pupils. Every state in the
union, except Florida, has by law, made provi-
sion for the instruction of its mutes. but all OF
the schools in the states are merely of Q primary
character; none of them having the grade of
colleges. Ii Is estimated by those who have ex-
smined the subject, that there are % 900 mutes
in the United States and $50 COO in Europe. 1t
requires but the simplest logic to show the de-
STABILITY, In fact the necessity Of leavening this
mass of silent ignorance by education.
To the name and fame Of the late Hon. Amos
Kendall, OF this city, attaches the honor of
founding the National Deaf Mute College
After his retirement TO private life he became
interested in some mute children and for sew
eral years supported school for their iustruc-
ton in the ordinary English branches, which
subsequently developed INTO the Columbia In
stitution for Deaf Mutes. Still later, in 1884,
Congress authorized the establishment Of the
National Deaf Mute College in connection
with the institution, for advanced pupils, but
restricted its benefits to students coming from
the District Of Columbia and from the army
and navy. In 1865 the advantages Of the col
iege were extended to . limited number from
the states and territories, almost every one of
which now has one or more representatives in
the iinstitution. Although the students are
taught wholly by the sign language, the condi-
lions Tor their admission are the same, and the
time Consumed In pursuing the studies of the
college proper Ii no longer than that required
by other similar institutions. Instruction Is
given in articulation to such as promise TO profit
by il, ard within two years past several students
have been taught to speak with considerable
fuency. In the primary department of the in
situation instruction Is given pupils in articula-
tion AND in the common and higher English
branches.
Congress formerly provided twenty Ave
scholarships for such pupils as we're unable to
pay their own expenses, but in 1870 sunulled
this provision, and has since appropriated q
liberal sum for the support Of the institution
Last year this appropriation was 4i5, 0OO with
IN unusual allowance of SO. 600 for the pur.
chase Of Kendall Green, containing eishty-one
acres Of land. This purchase was recently con-
sumnAted for the sum Of ss5 900, the difference
between that sum and the Congressional appro-
Priation being generously contributed by philan-
thrcpic persons In Washington, Philadelphia
and other cities. The grounds attached to the
Institution now embrace about enc hundred
acres.
The result Of founding . college for deaf
mutes has been . great success. Visitors from
Europe, and many distinguished government
officials, including members and committees of
Congress, have watched Its exercises and pro-
gress with interest, and, after thorough exam
ination, have endorsed IL unqualiHedly. The
lack Of the power Of speech seems no great bar
10 the In life Of the graduating stud ents
since all their other faculties are correspond
ingly sharpened and intensified. The alumni
OF the college have all been called to positions
or responsibility and, 30 far as known, have
discharged their respective trusts with peculiar
fidelity. In the main they have become teachers
In other deaf and dumb institutions, and q
number have succeeded in securing clerical
positions under the government after rigid COM
petitiye examinations.