Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-26
CHILDREN OF SILENCE.
Opening Of the National Convention of
Deaf Mutes.

UNIQUE GATHERING AT KENDALL GREEN
BATEs-cLosING EXERCISES OF THE coLLEaE-
THE PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY.
There was an interesting exhibition of digital
athletics to-day at Kendall Green, upon the oc-
casion of the Sd annual convention of the Ma
tional Association of Deaf Mutes and the dedi-
cation of the statue of Thomas ii. Gallaudet,
the founder in this country of the art of teach
ing the deaf mutes. Nimble fingers few fast
in telegraphing intelligence from mind to mind,
eager eyes followed the motions of hands and
the expressions of faces and bright faces lighted
up with pleasant emotions as old friends met
and renewed acquaintance and notes were com
pared of the work of the past year. 1t was
probably the most unique gathering Wash
lngton has ever known-a convention of
takers who made no noise, of orators whose
gestures were their eloquence, of listeners
whose ears were useless. TO the outward eve
1t was the most turbulent of gatherings, to the
ear 1t was the most peaceful, while III reality it
was no more turbulent nor more peaceful than
conventions are apt to be. The wild waving of
arms and swinging of bodies sometimes appar-
ent were but the means of attracting attention
and conveying information or intelligence,
while the silence-the almost perfect stiffness
were but enforced necessities. and indicated
nothing as to the feelings of the 500 deaf mutes
gathered in the meeting.
SOUNDS THAT MARRIED THE SILENCE
Occasionally person who had learned the
art Of speech would break forth in sound un-
consciously, or while conversing with friend
endowed with hearing, the noise Earring rudely
upon the silence. Secretary Fox had that
faculty, and usually accompanied his finger
words by their corresponding sound-values in
odd effect.
President Hodgson had some little difficulty
| in getting the convention in order. SO limited
were his means of attracting attention and 80
engrossed were the Observation-Disclosures by
white silk badges bearing an engraving of the
statue TO De unveiled-in their conversations,
and, some of them, in their reading. At last
he succeeded, and shortly after 10 o'clock he
opened the proceedings with short-fnger ex-
ercise. Every eye in the chapel was riveted
ON his hands, followed every motion, and the
speechless audience absorbed the announce
ment he made with eager interest.
SILENT PRAYER.
When the prayer was offered the delegates
arose, and the silence was intensified Instead
Of bending their heads the listeners looked
straight at the minister, and thus followed his
thoughts. The only noise was the click. clacl
OF machine fan out of order welded by
2 woman-delegate In the front row, who smiled
IN ms serene ignorance Of the noise she was max.
The chapel was handsomely decorated with
four immense American Gags, festooned over
the walls, and the portraits Of Amos Kendall.
Thos. Gallaudet, and Laurent Clerc were
draped with smilax. Over the bust Of Presi.
dent Garfield was green festoon, and on The
tablet Was laid bunch Of yellow roses.
CATCHING TIE cHAIRxAN's KrE.
A. the convention proceeded Ii became Pat
snt that delegates were having ~ much troubls