National Republican., 1877-04-12
A WORLD OF SILENCE.
ANNUAL FERMENTATION EXERCISES
Ar KENDALL GREEN.

tRrcfu
fcsring Degrees Upon tho sfute Scholars.
The thirteenth anniversary of the National
Deaf Mute College was celebrated al the hall
OF the Institution, at Kendall Green, yesser-
day afternoon. The attendance was larger
than on former occasions, aud was composed
of many Of the most promineut friends and
promoters Of the cause Of education In the
District. Ladies made up the principal por-
tion Of the audience. Some delay was occa-
eioned by the information that President
not be able to leave the White House before
9 o'clock. The President and Mrs. Hayes ar
rived shortly amer that time, and their en-
trance into the hall was the signal for general
applause.
Hon. George Walker, OF New York, took the
seats assigHed them on the platform. Secre-
tsry Schurz LEFT at an early stage Of the exer-
cises. Mrs. Hayes, with her usu>l modesty,
took q seat smopg the audience, and evinced
9 deep interest in tho exercises. Also occu-
pying seats upon the stage were Rev. DR..
Thomas Gailaudet, rector OF 81. AIMS church
for deaf mutes New York, General John
Eaton, commissioner of education, ard the
trustees and faculty Of the college.
THE EXERCISES
were Of most Interesting character. They
were opened with an invocation BY Rev. b.
Peyton Brown. Prof. A. n. Gallaudct made
brief explanation Of the character OF the
exercises, and Of the workings OF the inst!tu-
tion. He stated that the eandidates who pre-
eented themselves for degrees had pursued
4 strict collegiate course, embracing ancient
and modern language. history, philosophy,
mathematics and ali the studies usually per
tanning to such . course.
SILENT ORATORS.
An noration-"Oratory as . Power In Hu..
man History" BY Wilbur Norris Sparrow, Of
| At a n
gy"-by Lester Dcios Waite. Of Ohio, and an
oration-"Botany as . study"-bT John
Emery Crane, Of Maine, were the coutribu-
| tions Of the graduates, and were literary pro-
ductions OF rare excellence. They delivered
them In the wonderful "sigu language" and
they were Interpreted to the audience BY the
professor Of the college, who read from their
| manuscripts.
Professor Gallaudet refsrred to the eour-
tesies the institution had received from their
sister college, columbian UuiversityO and
int reduced
PROF. J. C. wELLISo.
the president, Who mado an eloquent address
to the graduating class. In which he proudly
stated that the celebrated dream Of the cru
dito John Quito, when ho prayed for more
learning, was more than realized In the Ma
tional Deaf Mute College.
Prof. Gallaudet then stated that the Secre-
tary Of the Interior had been called away BY
l III
had told him confdentislly that President
Hayes would speak for him. He therefore
bad the extreme honor TO introduce the Presi-
dent OF the United States, who would maks
Secretary schurz's speech, ss well as his
own.
MI. GaIlaudet referred To the great per-
eonal interest President Hayes had always
manifested In the Deaf Mute College in his
own State, and said he felt sure Of encourage
ment and cheering words from him.
PRESIDENT HAYES REMARKS.
President Hayes, Who was received with
loud and prolonged applause, then advanced
to the front Of the platform and spoke Is fol-
lows:
LADIES AxD GrxrLrxKx: shall not m,s
the interest Of this occasion by undertaking to
fu' all the promises Of this order Of exercises,
thank my friend, DR.. Gallsudet, that he did
not warn me that my name was to be upou
this bill. II he had Il would have deprived
me Of two reasons for feeling satisfied this
afterpoon-ope vas what escaped BY leaving
the other end Of the city, and the other. what
gained by enjoying with you this pleasant
occssion. And really this Is gratifying and
Interesting thing.
Rt is an occasion for eonsratulstion, fo'
gratitude. Three young gentlemen have ap
s,o.s .Ta Ws sPeksr ss
; to lear these topics discussed at college com
msIcements and exhibitions, and here We have
! these young gentlemen with but the foul
senses doing Il 80 satisfactorily, 80 well.
am told that those orstions that We hav,
listened to are crilicised-are corrected In NJ
! way other than ID usual with such essays b.
professors at our schools and colleges, and ye
We would not detect I an sure, they wer
, not written by young men with all the Nv,
! senses. And how completely they exhibits
, the characteristics Of the young men. 70,
and are strsngers to them, but We now know
| hat ha frs as
hearing-ss . scholar might think-as &C
curstely, as correctly.
He measures Il, seems to know what
means, as II he had enjoyed it-praeticed Il
!. Indeed, he did practice IL before us; and th
one who spoke Of mythology, that fondnes
the peculiar bent OF Ills mind and studies. An
botany the same. And now have not don
\ | all l promlsedi
. These few remarks were listened to wit
: marked attention, and the mutes watehe
!. with interest the gestures OF the interpreter
]. who was translating the speech into sign lar
a gage.
\ CoyFEERISG DEGREES.
s Prof. Gallaudet then, in q few words, cor
u ferred the degrees As follows Bachelor q
Arts, John E. Crane and Wilbur n. Sparrow
Bachelor of Philosophy, Lester Delos Wait,
He also conferred on behalf of the trustee
:. the degree Of Bachelor Of Philosophy on Tho,
J, McIntire, superintendent Of the Institute fc
the Deaf and Dumb Al Indianapolis.
9 closed the exercises In the hall, ailer which
: majority Of those present repaired to an n
!. Joining hall and partook OF choice refresi
8 ments prepared for their benefit.
N.EMAIL MEssSESGER SERTICE.
The Controversy sam Waxing WARMTH
1