New-York tribune., 1903-05-12
HELEN KELLER SPEAKS.
Blind Girl at Opening of Schermer-
horn Partition.

In the presence Of large gathering of influential
-eople the new $1,000 six story Schermerhorn Pa
1ilon for the treatment of aural diseases The git
Of the late William g Schermerhorn 10 the Eye
and Ear Infrn1ary, at Second-ave. and Thirteenth
s. was formally dedicated yesterday. 1t was
very rsppy occasion At the same time il was in
several senses memorial service TO the generous
donor. afr. and Mrs John Kane. Mr. and MIS-
George Schermerhorn and T. A Schermerhorn
were there in seats reserved for the Schermerhorn
family.
Nearly every speaker touched on the generosity
and wisdom which had actuated the gift that was
being celebrated i is seldom that richer treat o.
-1ratory is compressed into one afternoon OF one
occasion. Whether Bishop Potter, who presided;
The Rev. DR.. Greer. of St. Bartholomew VS.; the Rev
DR. Huntington. of Grace Church; Helen Keller or
joe Jefferson was the bright, particular star 1t
might be difficult to determine. As Mr.. Jefferson
remarked it is seldom that clergyman ana an
actor address the same audience Perhaps the
brilliant utterances of the speakers counted for less
than they should IN the presence Of Miss Keller
whose personality never fails TO move and stir
zhe syrnpathies. She was gowned in white muslin
with Ealenciennes insertions blue slip, with
blue stock and sash, and a brown hat trimmed
with a wreath Of pale pink roses The slender
young girl arose when her turn came and turning
10 tie front Of the platform placed her left hand
on the mouth of Miss Sullivan. and her right
hand in Miss Sullvan's, and lifting her pale sight
less eyes 10 the invisible heavens, she began her
message
continuous conversation. hand IN hand. by means
Of a 3elegTaphc system OF pats and pressures
Every who came in was presented TO MISS
Keller. One elderly woman said. 4 am reading
your life" and Miss Keller jumped UP. threw her
arms around her neck and kissed her. A cordial
shake OF the hand was awarded every newcomer
with the sweetest u smiles and mods some one
had given her a bunch Of pink and yellow roses
which she kept feeling and smelling. But she
stopped earessng them when Miss Sullivan told her
that Richard Watson Glider had come in
AS Miss Keller began her speech, Miss Sullivan
translated it TO the audience. phrase by phrase
sentence by sentence.
IN spjte OF the hard things that are said against
NeH-YorIz' began Miss Keller. Il find here a wide
human sympathy Everybody is imbued with II
We feel II everywhere. IT maketh the hearts OF
the rich and the strong L. overflow with kina
thoughts for these who suffer and are cast down,
and kind thoughts beget kind deeds New Nork
receives every year thousands Of the starving and
naked OF every race every country eXery faith
and more than any other city in the United States
she clothes the naked feeds the hungry beaclies
the ignorant and relieves those who suffer
Surely there would be need of eloquent ap-
neals IN behalf oF the NeN-Y ork Eye ana lar IN
firmary II you could look into the darkness which
The blind see and listen the stiffness which the
deaf hear There is no greater deprivation than
blindness, no sharper anguish than deafness ASK
yourselves what II is Try 10 understand
what It would be not see and perhaps you may
realize the blessedness OF sight You may put your
SOU into your finger tips. but you grasp only
much Of the world as you can take into your
hand 7sz-
1t is not enough 10 erect handsome buildings
Those who work inside know that the stone @ails
and splendid furnishings do not accomplish any
thing II Is cooperation in work OF mercy that
makes il complete Trained nurses must be pald
and the most efficient apparatus obtained and
every comfort secured 10 the patients. Il the ~oTk
OF the hospital is 10 be confirmed, continued ana
extended
This institution has become your sacred bur
den Look on IL lift it, bear il proudly It Is your
part and privilege to hold up the hands Of The
physicians here who are fellow wOrkmen together
with Cod"
Once or twice she girl faItered. as II 1trenslh
failed her TO speak Go on urged Miss Sullivan
with arm about her waist Helen Keller SPEAKS
ln low strained almost ecstatic tane, without
tahexion, expression emphasis She seems 10
be comr1uning with herself
Richard Watson Glider had crept close and was
listening with all his ears. EIr. Jefferson kept one
hand 10 his ear and eye on her sIniilfA& Aaes-
Some Of the women had tears IN their es es. \
spell fell over he audience. even upon The Nt-te
goErned nurses who fringed off down the eorr5doTS
ano the white jacketed oroerlles a1 the uooI,
Then gave little muscular tW1tch Wtlf' one
arm, her words ceased. Miss Sullivan Translated
ne last Of the last sentence ano fed her back 70
aer chair and the spell was broken with great
Then M Jefferson read Miss Keller's speech in
rs entirety ! did not expect to 40 anythlns
here he prefaced but yesterday friend brought
ne Word that Miss Keller wanted me 10 reao her