The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-05-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
a visit 10 the national Institution
for Dcat Mutes-GraduattuS Ever.
cises. Etc Etc.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON. April .. 1876

WASHINGTON, April IS 1876.
The old superstitions regarding those
whom Nature had created with imperfect
minds, or without the power of COM
municatiug their mental experiences in
vocal language. are curious. We lind in
the time of the Black Prince that deaf
mutes were recognized rs a lower order
of humanity than their more fortunate
brethren, but since their intelligence was
apparrn, they were allowed certain lib
critics in all households, coming even to
the court, aud entering the banquet halls,
but never by any chance sitting with the
guests or allowed to serve them. They
might watch the feast with their bright
eager eyes till all the guests were served,
then the broken fragments in the trench
ers, or the chance morsels thrown TO
them a. 10 the dogs, were their only por-
ton. In our own land, since the begin
ming Of this century. deaf mutes were
ranked with idiots in the eye of the law.
Only few years ago, in the face OF all
their wonderful progress, Gen. Butter
| declared a deaf mute.was but half man.
hardly think the general would say that
| now, especially if it were his good for
| tune 10 be present at the graduating ex-
crcises of the National Deaf Mute coll
lego as | was on Wednesday afternoon.
The regular college year terminates with
the last week of June, but the weather is
then SO warm that President Gallaudet
wisely arranged for the public ceremonies
at this pleasanter season.
This National Deaf Mute coll
lcge was founded through the
benevolent interest of Hon. Amos |
Kendall, whose personal sympathies |
had made him enthusiastic concerning |
these children of silence and in young |
Edward Galaudet the son of mute |
mother and father whose name will al
ways be reyered, Mr.. Kendall, found a
willing helper. In more incomplete e.
adjustments, it had already bsen proved
that this unfortunate class was not def
Gent in intellect : they only lacked the
ordinary power Of expression their eIa-
cation had been carried through ordinary
branches. they eagerly wished for :ome-
thing still beyond, and Mr.. Gallaudet de-
sired 70 see an institution that would NJ
them thoroughly tor any place IN lite.
especially tor that OF Instructors in their
own ranks. The battle agains, the pref
ndice and ignorance Of generations was
hard, but congres: At length made an APP
preparation, and then the college was
founded.
There is preparatory department.
but, in the collegiate course all branches
comprised in the ordinary classical list
have been included. One can compre-
bend how physical and mathematical
sciences may be grasped by the deaf
mutcs but we are amazed when we lind
that mental philosophy and logic are
quite as readily understood and acquired.
The college i. located little out OF
the city, upon the beautiful grounds
formerly ATTACHED to Mr.. Kendall's pri-
vate residence, aud still called Kendall
| Green. The professors houses form a
pretty cluster at q little distance from
the chapel. and carriages sweep up
| drive bordcred with trees and shrubs.
We were little carly on "Wednesday,
group vi students were standing upon
the lawn intent upon something, which
one OF their number was telling. They
would interrupt his rapid signs with
| questioning gestures, and we watched
| them with interest; but once in
group IN TIC presence Of the larger one.
| The pupils were seated as happily cXcit-
ell and as joyously expectant as any
students could DC on commencement day.
| There is no distinction here OF race, col
or or previous condition." so several
dusky faces among the fair ones and all
| were dressed in gala costume.
One rarely meets gentleman of court
| licr manners than President Gallaudt. he
| never fails IN the least or greatest require
ments, and the student will be very like
| ly to follow their teacher. The portrait
Of Thomas Gallaudet tho first apostle
| who prcachc in America the gospel Of
possible education OF nutcsJ being at the
back Of the platform, while in front
scat dressed in simple richness best be-
coming her silver hair sat his widow,
| now more than seventy years old, and
charming woman in every relation OF
| lie nine children have called her moth
er. not in the tones you and | would use,
for Mrs. Gallaudct has never heard q
sound Of any kind, but yoiceless Ian
.uagc whose eloquent tenderness Is most
expressive. Not one of her children has
inherited her misfortune, and there are
few scenes more beautiful than that OF
| President Gallaudet escorting his mother
TO parties and receptions, proudly intro
ducing her and swiftly transating all
that Is said. At these commencement
exercises, we missed the music usual on
such occasions, 1t seemed as II we had in
vadcd the kingdom OF silence, and that
Its leaden spectcr was over us.
DIR. Mitchell offered the opening prayer.
Beside HIM stood Professor Gordon with
closed eyes reverently following and
translating the spoken edition by signs