Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-10-26
The Institution for the Blind.
Blest Vince Vaughn.
GAINESVILLE, Texas, Oct, 1879.

The Institution fOr inc pllnu Is
that one of tho threo public chari-
Ties of Texas which shows u rccog.
milton on the part of the State OF
the claims of that afflicted class Of
our population who are deprived
of sight. 1t is not an asylum pro-
per, nor an intirmary for the res
loration of vision, still less n hos
pital or aims house, but an educa-
tional and industrial home, whose
central principle is to render the
blind self-dcpcndcnt and scif.sup-
porting. 1t claims to bo school,
like other schools having its course
of study and its system OF disc'p-
line, but unlike other schools in
general, it embraces n mechanical
department for the training OF its
pupils in Industrial work.
Experience has decisively shown
that under proper training, the cd
ucation of the blind has borne good
fruit in the formation of teachers,
mechanics, manufacturers, music
teachers, choistcrs, organists, piano
tuners, etc. No individuals have
turned their advantages to better
account, and in all parts of our
State can be found those who once
were received as helpless, vision
less and friendlcss children into
this institution, and arc at this mo-
ment we'll trained in their respec-
tive trades, with minds enlarged
and mannors softcned by scholas-
tic discipline, receiving constant
employment, and supporting them
selves in comfort from the proceeds
of their labor.
The ago of twcnty-four is fixed
as the limit for admission, for the
reason that the training of the
blind requires much time, and the
docilo i,nprcssibility of youth, in
oder to lay the solid foundation OF
an Industrial and intellectual cdu-
cation. No charge is made for in
struction, board or medical servi-
ces, and the parents and friends OF
the pupils are called upon for no
outlay beyond their travelling eX-
pcnscs and tho providing of a suit
able amount of good and comforta-
bio clothing. Every indulgence is
allowed consistent with habits OF
order; kindness is made the rule OF
government, and so seldom are
punishmonts invoked that it may
be said they do not exist.
More than any other afflicted
class, the blind need the stimulous
of fitting occupation, whether
amusement, study or work those
arc happicst who, with companions
of their own class, and with con-
slant occupation, find at every step
assistance, friendly hands and sym
pathy. Their true happiness is best
Witnessed within the walls OF an
establishment, where they forget
TO be gloomy and morose, and
where the social atmosphere proves
that blindness is not always mel
ancholy. But though the advanta
gcs of such an institution are be-
coming favorably known, yet thu
number of inmates has always
been much below the aggregate O
eligible cases in tho State.
The parents are mainly Response
bic for this; many arc too ignorant
themselves to appreciate the bene
fits resulting TO their children tron
a careful education, and allow then
sightless offspring to grow up !,
utter hclplcssnoss 10 become hnaI
ly a burden 10 the counties, rath
or than send them TO school where
they would be Taught TO take car'
of themselves. In other instances
where knowledge is that the blinI
can be trained TO usefulness and in
dcpcndencc, the extreme parcnta
affection that nature inspires To-
afflicted children, stands dcplorabll
in the way of their lasting good
often against the wishes of the blint
themselves. But in most case
( these lost opportunities occur from
want of knowledge Of the existenc'
and objects of the Institution: T'
obviate this, circulars are beinE
sent TO all parts Of the State th'
census tables are consulted, and IN
formation sought Of strangers am
visitors; whenever a case OF blind
ness is made known, correspond
euce is at once opened In All
thereof the Observation-Disclosures al
meals 70 all pefsons who, in the 6