Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-05-29
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF AND

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF AND
BLIND. ~
Editor of the Times: -
Sir.-It is very important for US all to he
member at this time that schools for the deaf
and blind are not created for the benefit of
principals or teachers, OR adult deaf or blind
persons, or to give employment to those out
Of work, or for the advancement of any pOlit-
zeal ends, but that such schools are supported
by the tax paying population of the State for
the education Of the deaf and blind Of school
age. If, in the great clamor for place. the
honorable members of the unhappy board
having in charge the reorganization of the
Deaf and Blind Institution of Virginia can
act with this one single object in view-the
welfare Of the deaf and blind children to be
educated-they will accomplish an heroic
deed, and deserve such laurels as are given
only to the brave.
Few persons know that in the great State
of Virginia there are about 800 deaf and blind
children who ought to be in school. If they
are left uneducated, they will be almost with
out God. and form one of the most oppressed
and degraded classes of paupers.
Themagnitude of the work to be accom-
plished by this institution can be seen at
glance.
Of course the board realizes tue necessity of
having at the head of such a school, so long
allowed to drag out feeble existence, a man
full Of zeal and energy, man of experience,
who knows how TO organize and TO rule ,ofun-
impeachabl6 integrity soori3ty ana Of exalted
Christian character, q man Of business capa-
taat
profession. In order to secure such person
the hoard ought to be allowed to go into the
scarab 1I;spntrammelled by political Or other
friendships or She clamor of those seeking pay
ing positions. And Whhe2ther they find such Il
man in the North, South, East or Y.= est they
should be urged TO secure him.
This is the policy OF all the most progressive
States of the Union. In Mississippi, w fEd
a man from Missouri; in Maryland, man
from Connecticut;i in Colorado, Michigan. and
Kentucky, North Carolinians, and so on
through more than half of the States.
| The one thing to be considered in the candi-
| dates for these positions, which the board has
declared vacant is merit; and, having seen
what constitutes merits in the principal, let
| us look at the teacher. Some people seem to
think. anybody can teach the deaf and the
blind. There never was a more grievous mis-
| take Hunt out the bright, quick, man or
! woman, Of unbounded originality and vim,
of pronounced Christian character, having all
| the fine qualities of head and heart which
would insure success in any calling, and you
| have the ideal teacher of the deaf and blind.
| And when we look at the overwhelming affiic-
ton of these little children, are they not en-
titled to the best? We don't want to give our
deaf and blind the ''little learning" which is
such "a dangerous thing and tends SO fear
| fully to imitation, nor to turn them out of
school half-trained, and possessed of the i dea
| that the State loves them living; but of
these forlorn and destitute children we want
to make industrious, honest citizens, fitted to
60 forth into the world and, by energy and
industry, earn for themselves, not only daily
bread, but respect, admiration, and affection.
No small task, one sees, is set for the teacher
| of the deaf and blind.
| 1t is an easy matter for the irresponsible
public to f1utter around and give airy advice
some Of it very bad-to the board; but if, afte
the heavy expense of last win ter, and the .ex-
pressed wish OF the people, through the Legis-
lature and the press, that the institution
should be reorganized and made an active
and living success, the present management
should be allowed to perpetuate the dismal
failure of the school it is upon the head OF
each member Of the board that the keen pub
lie displeasure would fall. The people stand
and watt with grim patience, to see the board
make this institution what it ought to be, and
has not been for many day.
There is not an intelligent man of weight
in Virginia whose sympathies are not with
the members of the board in their difficult
position, determined, as they are, to do their
duty without fear OF favor, though it is Of
necessity most unpleasant. And when this
| duty is successfully accomplished, and the
school made an object of State pride. these
men will certainly receive their full need of
praise from an appreciative public.
N. P. d.