Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-22
A SILENT CONVENTION.

A SILENT CONVENTION.
Some Notes About the Coming Gather
ing of Deaf Mutes.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING IN THIS CITY
NEXT wEEK-ExERcIsEs AT THE UNWILLING
OF THE GALLAUDET sTATUE-THREE HUNDRED
DEAF-MUTE VISITORS EXPECTED.
Some three hundred deaf mutes, il Ia ex-
pected, viii attend their third national con-
vention, which will be held in this city next
week. As might be naturally expected from
the personnel of the gathering. the convention
Will be silent one. On this account it will be
the most unique assemblage ever held at the
national capital. 1t sounds rather paradoxical
TO speak OF a convention where there will be
debate and animated discussion, the reading
OF papers and the transaction of routine
business as a silent convention. 1t will not.
however. be absolutely true that no oral words
Will be spoken. The papers that have been
prepared to be read before the convention will
be translated from the sign language in which
they will be originally presented into oral
speech. AS the author Of the paper declams
in the graceful language of the deaf mute
the translator will interpret to the hearing
ears what has been so effectively addressed to
the intelligent eyes.
1t has been the custom, however, at these
gatherings to carry on the discussions and at
tend to the business brought before the con-
vention exclusively in the sign language, and
those who attend and who are not fortunate
enough to know how to read the fingered
speech will lose that portion of the proceed
lngs. 1t will be an intelligent body. There
are now in this country some seventy-three in
situations devoted to the education of this class
Some OF them are large establishments having
as many as 500 students. The professors and
teachers in these institutions will, as rule, at
tend the convention, and, in addition,
there will come from all parts Of the country
the bright, intelligent men and women, who,
In spite OF their inequality in gifts of nature
with the large proportion of their fellow-men,
have risen superior to these inequalities, and
have won position and honorable distinction in
this world Their meeting in this city is ap-
propriate for the reason that this place is recog-
nlzed as the center, not only because it is the
capital OF the country, but here is located the
National Deaf Mute college, the only place in
the country Offering the advantages Of an aca-
demic course OF studies to the deaf mutes.
THE aALLAUDET STATUE.
At the last national deaf-mute convention,
which was held in New York city four years
ago, it was decided to erect statue to Thomas
II. Gallaudet, the father Of Dr. E. N. Gallau-
Diet, president of the National Deaf-Mute col
lege. Contributions have been received from
every state and territory in the Union for this
purpose. Some have given cents, some rs
cents, and SO on up to larger amounts, SO that
the statue which will be unveiled on the lawn
in front of the college building next Wednes-
day will be representative tribute from the
deaf mutes OF this country to the life and
TEEN by every deaf mute in America who has
enjoyed the advantages Of educati on made
possible to them by the philanthropic and
Jealous efforts OF Mr.. Gallaudet in the early
years of the century.
The arrangements in regard to hotel and
railroad rates for the convention have been
made by the local committee appointed by the
president of the last convention Mr. E. A.
Hodgson, OF New York city. This committee is
composed Of John Burton Hotchkiss and Chas
K. W. Strong and they have made favorable
terms in both particulars 1t has not been
decided positively where the sessions of the
convention will be held, but il is probable that
the hall IN the national museum will be the
place selected.
THE PROGRAM OF THE CONVENTION,
The first session Of the convention will be
held on Wednesday morning, June 26. On
Tuesday evening preceding the delegates who
are in the city will attend divine service at the
Church OF the Ascension when addresses will
be made in the sign language by deaf clergy
men. On Wednesday, at am, the first bust
ness session will be held. All preliminary
business will be transacted at that time, such
as the enrolment Of members, the presidents
address, reports of officers and reports of COM
mittees. In the afternoon, at 5 o'clock, the
delegates will attend the ceremonies in con-
nection with the unwilling Of the Gallaudet
statue at Kendall Green. The local committee
posed of Prof. Amos G. Draper and c. XIV.
Strong. The program they have prepared
provides for exercises both in the
hall OF the college and on the green
in the vicinity Of the statue. It is
expected that the Marine band will furnish
the music. In the hall the exercises will be
begun with prayer by the Rev. Job Turner,
which will be followed by the report of the
executive committee. Edmund Booth and
Others Of Gallaudet's pupils, and his children,
will make brief addresses. The Grafton will be
delivered by Robert p. McGregor. A poem
written by Mrs. Laura G. R. Soaring (Howard
Glyndon) will be read orally by joseph G.
Gordon and in signs by Miss Georgia Elliott.
There will be then short intermission to allow
the audience to proceed to the site Of the
statue. After music the president Of the
natiopal association will deliver the presenta-
ton address, and upon its conclusion the statue
will be unveiled by Master Herbert Draper
Gallaudet and Miss Marion Wallace Gallaudet,
grandchildren of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet.
The address of acceptance will be made by DR..
4-0WdNo M 0diAhu0tt, dHa ZIG CtEctnOu168 Will
be brought to q close with prayer by Rev.
Henry W. Syle.
THE BANQUET.
In the evening banquet will be held at Will
lard's hotel, at which both ladies and gentle
men will be present. Sessions Of the conven-
ton will be held in the morning and afternoon
Of both Thursday and Friday. The following
papers, among others, will be read at the COM
ing convention, 1.-THE federation Of the deaf"
by Thomas +. Fox, Of New York; "Oompul-
sorry education Of the deaf" by Mr.. J. L.
Smith, of Fairbault, Mimi, and Don't" by
Mr.. H. @. White, Of Salt Lake City, Utah. On
Saturday the delegates will visit Mount Vernon.
The headquarters of the convention in this
city will be at the Ebbitt house.
The closing or class-day exercises Of the COL
lege at Kendall Green viii take place ON We'd
nesday morning in the college hall
TO BE PUT N Ry.Acs TO-DAY.
The Gallaudet statue, which IL to be unveiled
next Wednesday, viii be placed in position To-
day in the lawn in front Of the college building
at Kendall Green. The usual Wednesday out
of-door concert by the Marine band win be
given on "Wednesday next In the grounds ct
Kendall Green. The public are invited TO a.
tend the unwilling ceremonies.
Content.
Happy the man that, when his day d done,
Lies down 70 sleep with nothing Of regret
me battle he has fought may not be won,
The tame he sought be Just a. fleeing, yet
Folding q last his hands upon his breast