New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-09

4
design and execution. The first section vii
be completed by October next, and will &C
commodate $50 students with board, rooms
&c. The value of the property belonging t,
the institution, with the improvements made
cannot fall short of thirty or forty Thousand
| dollars.
THE NORTH CAROLINA INSTITUTION FOF
THE DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND COLoREI
DEPARTMENT.
The Colored Department of the North Car
DINA Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and
Blind was organized in the latter part of '68
under the administration of Gov. Holden. II
was one of the first results of Republican rule
in this State, and one which will enshrine
and make perpetual the name Of that great
and good man-W. w. Holden-who took
such profound interest in its establishment.
| The first regular session commenced January
l, 1869, and lasted until June 80, during which
period q pupils were entered; twenty-one
deaf mutes, and six blind Every session
| after added to the number, which is now 4S.
We took advantage of few spare moments
to visit the school on yesterday, were COR
daily received by the matron, Mrs. Mariah
Harrison, and conducted through the various
departments by the Supervisor, Mr.. o: Hunter,
Jr. We first entered the recitation room I'M
der his charge, where a partial examination
in writing, spelling, reading, and grammar
was had for our benefit. In these studies the
children exhibited proficiency which dazzled
ON in &c
faultless their expressions correct and gram
NAUTICAL; indeed they seem to understand
fully all they learn. Many of them write a
much better hand than your correspondent.
We next visited the room under charge of
Mr.. Hanes, a graduate of the white depart
ment, and as in the other room, we gazed
with amazed admiration upon the wonderful
progress which these children have made.
As if by electricity, the signs, jerks, twists,
and gestures of the teachers were inscribed in
beautifully expressed sentences upon the
blackboard. In connection with the studies
we have mentioned, the pupils in this room
have made considerable advancement in
arithmetic. In this they are as ready and
accurate as in the others. We also witnessed
very interesting exercise in gymnastic, in
which they are regularly and thoroughly in
structed. We next visited the room of the
blind under charge of Miss Eunice Brodie.
These are also making gratifying progress.
They spell and read nicely, and are taking
their first lessons in writing. We opened
their reader on several pages, and they read
with precision unattained by vast majority
Of our more fortunate children who have been
in school ever since 49, The males are
learning useful trades by which they can
make handsome support at the expiration
of their course, while the females are being
instructed in needle work and the different
duties pertaining to domestic life.
The patient labor necessary to infuse into
the minds of these children the light and
knowledge of civilization, is apparent to all,
when it is remembered that they entered the
institution totally ignorant of single letter
in the alphabet; and the deaf mutes not
knowing-a single word in the English Ian
guage. Now they are intelligent, and many
of them in demeanor are really polished.
Heaven grant that this work of benevolence
and charity may continue until this whole
land shall be lighted with its divine effects.
am proud to say that North Carolina was
the first State to make any provision for the
education and care of this unfortunate class
Of our people. am still prouder of the man
ner in which she is performing her duty in
this direction. From the school room we
were carried through the bed and dining
rooms to the kitchen, and from thence to the
of coffee, sugar, bacon, hams, lard, butter,
molasses, flour, meal, candles, soap, in short,
everything in the way of edbles that could be
wished. The neatness and order everywhere
displayed is sufficient testimony of the faith
fulness of those to whose immediate care the
management Of the institution is entrusted.
We noticed particularly for dirt about the
corners and cracks; for cobwebs and such,
but saw none. The white and colored de-
partments of the institution are under the
control of board of trustees appointed by
the last Legislature, and whatever may be
said of the legality or the illegality of their
appointment, or of their undoubted Demo-
cratic proclivities, it cannot be said that they
do not exercise perfect impartiality in their
administration between the white and colored
pupils. A sufficient number of servants are
employed at both departments; and in every
other way, like provisions are made for the
care of both classes. This is greatly to the
credit of these gentlemen, and we give it as
one of the cheering signs of the times. The
whites of the community and State, Of both
parties, visit the institution frequently, and
seem much pleased at its success. This i'm.
perfect sketch Of the institution was hurriedly
prepared under very unfavorable circum
stances, and by no means does it justice. W.
hope you, Mr.. Editor, and any of your readers
who may ever come to Raleigh, will not fai
to visit this excellent school. 1t will richly
reward you for any exertion or Inconvenience
which it may cause.
THE NATIONAL FREEDMAN'S SAVINGS AMI
/ TRUST COMPANY.
In a former letter we took occasion tt
refer to the increasing success with which
this company is meeting, and the beneficial