New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-05
SAMUEL G. HOWE.

DR.. s. G. HOWE. The Philanthroplst. BY F. B.
ssr;os q; mc %%o, b. $40 FUNK "asHSA''
The life Of DR.. Samuel G. Howe is one emf
nently deserving to be written, but it demands a
greater regard to the personality of the subject
than Mr.. Sanborn has given it in this volume
The fact that q biography is being prepared by d.
Howe's family may have been felt as a restraint
by the present author, though the public can
hardly learn too much Of so deeply interesting
and so noble character DIR. Howe began LIE
by q career of stirring adventure. Drawn by the
romantic attractions no less than by the humani-
tartan suggestions Of the Greek war of inde-
pendence, in which Byron played so considerable
part, the young physician threw himself heart
and soul into the unequal struggle, and, joining
himself to the Greek patriot forces, wandered for
months through the mountains, sharing the suheT-
ings and dangers of his associates and displaying
chivalrous courage and disinterestcdness rarely
paraleed. 1t is illustrative of his character that
he refrained from the practice of his profession In
later life because ne could not bring himself to
receive money for it, In Greece his services oil
all kinds were freely bestowed. AT no time did
he care for money or take advantage of oppor-
tunities to accumulate it. He even refused to
patent his inventions, from several of which he
might, had he so chosen, have profited largely
One of the chief difficulties in writing his early
life arises from his invincible mOdesty. Ihe
impression If self was one of his dominant traits
lie never voluntarily spoke of his adventures, ana
could scarcely be persuaded to give any informaton
concerning them; and good deal OF what is
known comes from the reports of third parties VINO
knew him and served with him during those OK
citing times. Nor had he the gift OF expression.
lie was eminently practical, man OF original
ideas. he could do things admirably, but he could
not talk about what he had DONE. After bravlng
every danger, and making himself very helpfui
To his Greek friends, he returned to his Boston
heme. and then after short interval he took up
what proved to be the chief work Of his life,
namely the teaching of the blind, deaf, and dots'
The famous case of Laura Bridgman MADE MS
name a household word everywhere, and Charles
Dickens helped to popularize his fame by the en-
thusiastic account he gave of the matter i'll
American Notes" That case took very strong
hold upon the public imagination. The condltlon
of rhe child seemed hopeless at first Bind' deal'
mute. and without sense of taste, it appeared as
if nothing less than miracle could restore her 10
communication with her species. That miracle
however was performed BY DIR. Howe, and the story
OF his methods and of the progress of the great
effort must ever remain one of the most moving
and fascinating examples of intelligent phllan-
thropc devotion. BY patient and tender por-
sistcncc he penetrated the material DISTINCTIONS
and removed the disabilities which for Years hau
shut no poor little Laura in prison-house Oh
ncsb He restored her to humanity. and humanity
IN her Marvellous and impressive as were the
ros,lts NJ his exertions in this case, however, 1t
was but a landmark in his philanthropic course.
lie invented method of printing books in raised
letters for the blind Which diminished the expense
Of such printing one half, and thus made IL pos
sible 70 prepare much larger list of books adapteu
IN the use of these sufferers. lie improved hoo
only the methods of teaching the blind, out IN
troduced the method OF articulation INTO Ine
education of the deaf Having arrived al these
and other reforms of moment, he devoted himself
IN securing their adoption in State Institutions anu
with this end in view he visited seventeen legsla-
,nres addressed them. argued with them. and in
nearly every case won their sympathy and APP
nrovol. and finally had the satisfaction of seeing
bis announcements adopted. Energetic as he was
in pushing any work of humanity to which he mad
mt his hand. his nature was peculiarly Tree
from limitations and from intolerance IN
illustration of this citation may be maze
from the address of Dr. Hedge at his funeral,
in 1876. "He was never the hero OF his
own tale / have talked with him OFTEN ana
lonr. and should never have guessed from any
thing that fell from his lips that he had ever
seen Greece, or lain in Prussian prison cell, OF
penetrated the three-barred gate Oh Laura brlug-
mans soul Another popularity of his enthusiasm
was the liberaity, the tolerance, that accompanied
il. And this believe to be one OF the rareso OIL
moral phenomena, the combination Oh phlioh-
-. oDthrriorm and n tolerant spirit En-
centinp him only, have never known phian-
tbronist-I mean an active, reforming phlan-
tbronist-who was also fair-minded. tolerant
man, Mary excellent. devoted, sefsacrlfcing
men have known of that vocation, men to re-
;oce in and thank God for; but they all had this
t.in, Of intolerance Not content with strenuous
azocacv of their own pet charity, not content with
active service in that cause, they insisted that you
should tread their narrow path, should merge
voursef in their one idea, and revled all VINO
differed from them as TO time and method, when
even agreed as to ends Advocates of temperance
have known who reeled and staggered and wanted
80 intoxicate you with their heady pontlcs' chani
piors of abolition j have known VINO wahteu u
f,s,en the yoke of their method on your neck
srd oven anostles of non-resistance who handled
their olive-branch as if it were war-cluD' Ut
Howe was not OF that line. He was that excep-
tional character, q tolerant enthusiast, 1air au-
yocate of righteous cause
Higher praise than this can scarcely be bestowed
and there is ample evidence that IT was deserNeu
In truth DIR. Howe seemed Weuueu 10 ho p''i"
method or even subject. To do good TO his 1eho"-
men was his leading impulse. The cry Oh the
oppressed and the suffering always appealed 10 nln
and always was responded TO WIN MS Wn o,'
energy II was not merely natural but inevitable
.ho, spch a man should take part in the great
-; s,ovarv movement He was an abolitonis
,.ss NV reflection than by nature, and being so ht
,,,as also nv nature a working abolitionist lha'
NO should organize a vigilance committee in Bostor
20 defend fugitive slaves and defeat the Infamous
Fugitive Slave law was matter OF course mol
was it more surprising that he should be one o
old John Browns active friends and helpers III
aided in the Kansas campaign of freedom ana
80 not in nossession Of John Browns Inten