The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

Columbia Institute for the Deaf and
Dumb. located in this District, is the only
one of its kind which maintains collie
giate department and confers degrees. Be-
sides the college there is well-equipped
school similar to those supported by vari-
Gus States of the Union. The growth of
Columbia is closely associated with the
progress of deaf-mute education in the
United States. and a brief summary of its
history is well worth recording in connec-
ton with 4 description of results achieved
through the labors of its founders.
At a not very remote period, as near in
sact as the eighteenth century, the deaf
hild's condition was truly a sad one. He
has not mercifuily. as some regarded if.
put to death like the physically defective
Spa=tans, but abandoned TO a hopeless soli-
tude. capable of reducing mental faculties
almost TO imbecility. and leaving the I'M
fortunate with no more resources than are
the possession of the feeble-minded. Only
recently has it come 10 be fully realized
that deaf ears do not mean deaf minds,
and we are taught to see in each life part
of a perfect plan. the possibility, 40 mat
ter how insignificant the instrument, OF
glorious contribution to the carrying OUT
of a divine purpose. Hence the efforts OF
great men are being more and more con-
centrated in the effort to secure for the
thus physically handicapped among us the
best possible devices and opportunities for
opening up to them the world of thought
and action This is not only for the sake
of justice. that they be given fair chance
in the race for life, but that the good they
might do should not be lost. None can es-
innate the value Of each mans message to
the world The blind may teach of visions
they alone can see. and who knows how
strongly ring out in the ears of the deaf
those hidden hamonies underlying Gods
discords.'
Convictions like these were early sown
in the mind of DR.. Thomas Hopkins Gal
laudet. and bore fruit in his work as
founder of deaf and dumb education in the
United States.
In the year 1916 this eminent man, then
a young theological student just starting
out ON his career paid visit to the family
of friend, whose little daughter had been
deaf from birth. Alice Cogswell was the
child's name, and her isolated life chang
ed the current of the visitors thoughts TO
line OF endeavor different from the one
he had planned. 1t seemed sad to him
that the truths Of religion should be
sealed book to one precious soul, and he
longed for the power to reveal them to her.
That more than the merest elementary
knowledge could become the possession OF
the deaf never occurred to him; but ii
would be an achievement worthy his life's
devotion if this child could be made to
feel even feebly the rays OF light flooding
the pathway of the oft careless hearing
individuals. At the conclusion of his stay
in the Cogswen family DR.. Gallaudet Wis
tied England to learn something of tie
methods of deaf mute instruction employ
ed by Thomas Brentwood, author of The
system bearing his name. The narrow
spirit prevailing in the school kept DIR.
Gallaudet from accomplishing his design,
SO he crossed over to France where he
was given the opportunities he sought in
the schools established by the Able de
IEpee and Able Sicard. In 1917 he found
ed the first American school for the deaf
and dumb in Hartford. Conn, placing in
charge Laurent Clerc, whom he brought
over with him from France From that
small beginning eighty schools have
grown up in the United States
Dr. Galluadet married Miss Sophia Fow-
Ter. a member OF his first class in the
Hartford school. and their first daughter
was called Alice Cogswell. for the sake
OF the child who had inspired the great
work. Several other children We're born
to the couple, among them being Thomas
D.. rector of st. AIMS Church (which
holds service for the deaf, and Edward
Miner Gallaudet.
The Rise of Columbia Institute.
And now comes the connection OF the
Gallaudets with the Columbia Institute In
1857 some deaf and dumb children were
brought to Washington with travelling
show and put on exhibition. The man who
managed these entertainments was ar
raigned in court by Amos Kendall, Presi-
dent of the Society for Prevention of Cru
city to Children. Mr.. Kendall came out
victorious in the contest, and much TO his
surprise the children were given over TO
him They proved TO be white elephant
on his hands. so he set apart a small house !
and one acre and a half Of his land to es-
tabHsh home for them. The widow of DR.. |
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and her son |
Edward were summoned from Hartford to |
assume charge, ami the home gradually de-
Veloped into an institution for deaf chill
dren. Later 1t was Incorporated under the
laws Of Congress and assumed national
character. The Kendall estate of 100 acres
has been purchased. piece at time, and
the scope of the school widened until II has
attained its present sphere OF usefulness.
Children OF the District and Territories are
admitted to its privileges free of charge;
but it is no more . charity than the public
schools which however excellent. are of
no service to taxpayers with deaf children.
The establishment OF educational facilities
for such children is merely an act OF JUS
tice The children provide their own
clothes and books. and return TO their
homes during vacation. In the early days
of the school, the blind were also admitted,
there being no institution for them in the
District OF Columbia. In 1864 an agree
ment was made with the State OF Maryland
which admits the District blind TO the
School for the Blind near Baltimore, and
the West Maryland deaf to Columbia.
The old Kendall estate is situated in
the northeast suburbs of Washington. ex-
tending lengthwise seven or eight blocks
and across open fields to the country. The
various structures for the use Of the
schools and the roomy cottages of the pro-
fessors form a beautiful little commu-
nism completely cut of from the unsightly
railroad environment. rough streets, and
narrow cramped houses, which come up
to the southern border OF the grounds.
Away 10 the north is the farm of the
school, now being plowed for the summer
garden, and west of this stands the his
toric cottage where Morse spent a year
with his friend Kendall, and improved
his time in perfecting the telegraph. Old
wires extend around the trees near the
house. and there are traditions to the eff
feet that the first message of the inven-
tor was sent over these. now fallen from
their high estate and doing practical duty
as a clothesline.
A journey through these grounds is one
of more than ordinary interest. The first
place likely to attract attention is the
gymnasium building. equipped with bowl
inD oil oil he oil