Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-15
The Institution for the Deaf, DUMP,
and Blind Mt stanton.
|, The Editor of the Dispatch:

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The papers give us the names or quite
number of gentlemen who may be apph-
cants or candidates for the position OF
superintendent or principal OF our Asy-
lun for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind at
Staunton.
Some of these are the names or men
who have received special technical Train
ing for this work in similar INSTITUTIONS
I'm other States. But others or them are
the names of gentlemen who have had
no such special training.
Now. as between these two classes OF
applicants there ought not to be mo-
ment's hesitation on the part OF the Board
OF Visitors when the time for election
comes. The poorest applicant with this
special training and experience would be
far superior in this position to the best
possible man without these quanncatiohs.
II would be worse than crime 10 put
such an institution into the hands OF
man no matter how excellent he might
he In all other respects, who lacked this
special training for this special work.
No one but an expert, and an earnest
Christian. should have charge or an IN
stitution for the education OF dear chill
dren.
clalfY. anu IL ID iiilPcoNiS.'sNs
novice TO take It up and carry 1t on with
anv degree OF satisfaction or success.
There are plenty OF men VINO can play
the role of figure-head for the revenue
there is in Il; bu, they cannot make
masterful and efficient superintendent Oh
these schools.
Familiarity with hearing and speaking
children gives no clue to the conore-
hension OF the deaf child's mind anu
nature. The deaf are different, pecu-
liar people, and II they are TO be hanaieu
successfully, their peculiarities must De
made a study, and BY the slow and tell
Gus process OF education eliminated, ana
the deaf made as nearly as possloie ike
hearing and speaking people.
Deaf children, when they come TO school,
have no language at all. do not know
their own names, or the names or tho
most familiar objects about them' anu
they have of course. no adequate concep-
tlon of God. Their stock OF ideas Is most
limited. They have no system or signs, out
are only able TO express their most urgent
wants by rude and awkward gestures
and their moral perceptions-if they nave
any-are extremely dim.
No heather in the wilds OF Africa has
mind more thoroughly untutored. But they
take naturally to the language OF ges-
ture-their God-given means OF communi-
cation-and soon, under the quickenlng
influence OF signs. their sluggish mines
are aroused to activity, and the work OF
mental development Is carried surely anu
successfully forward
How is II possible for n man having
no acquaintance with their language, their
habits. or methods Of instruction to over
look the difficult task Of their education
In the thousand and one difficulties
arising between the pupils, and between
pupils and teacher In a school or this
kind, what chance Is there for justice 10
the deaf child. if the principal OF the
scnool Ito whom all such matters are
brought for settlement) is unfamiliar with
! the pecularities OF the deaf, and the only
language they comprehend? How can ne
know that school-room work Is peing
faithfully and successfully conducted, and
kept abreast with the latest and most
approved methods of instruction? How is
such principal to enforce discipline or
order? Deaf children are as prone 10 eyl
| as their hearing and speaking prothers
and sisters. Not understanding the ways
and language OF the pupils, how can he
keep UP with what is going on among
them? What influence and power can he
| exert over them?
The moral and religious instruction
| Of these children can only be successfully
given in signs. Here again novice Is
| entirely out OF his element and incaDaci-
tated TO perform one OF the most important
duties of his position. A successful prin-
| cipal must be able to preach in the sign
| language The only sermons the vast ma
| jority OF the children ever hear must come
from him. AS well send one who Is
| merely a shrewd businessman TO Africa
as a missionary, as make principal oil
| a man who cannot minister in spiritual
things TO the children placed in his keep
| ing, ignorant, as they are, almost OF the
existence of a God.
| An unskilleS man is hampered at every
| turn, and is utterly dependent upon those
under him to act as Intermediates be-
tween him and his pupils. He IS thus COM
pletely side-tracked by force of circum-
stances. and. being out OF touch and
| sympathy with those around him, can
| have no personal management OF the
affairs Of the school. The State commits
a great blunder and gross injustice to
these afflicted children in putting at the
head OF these schools any but man tho
roughly equipped by training and expert
ence for the work, one who can be a
| father and an instructor to these help
less wards. understanding all their little
wants, sympathizing with all their little
sorrows, and able to get at their minds
and lead them through the paths OF know
| ledge I'D to God, and send them forth
at the end OF their school-days ready for
the enjoyment, as well as the battle. OF
life.