The sun., 1903-05-12
HELEN KELLER SPEAKS HERE,
HER NEWLY ACQUIRED POWER
USED TO PLEAD FOR THE DEAF,

Eloquent Description OF the Woes OF the
Blind and Deaf by the Girl Who K nOws
An Incident OF tho Opening OF the
Eye and Ear Hospitals New Pavilion,
At the dedication, yesterday, Of the
Schermerhom Pavilion OF the New York
Eye and Ear Infrmary at Thirteenth street
and Second avenue, a new aural pavilion
which the generosity of the late w. C.
Schermerhorn has provided for the institu-
ton, Miss Helen Keller, who has triumphed
so marvellously over her lack Of sight and
hearing. addressed the audience in the
halting and timid speech which she has
learned, through her sense OF touch from
the lips Of her teachers.
Bishop Potter presided at the dedication
ceremonies, and addresses were made by
the Rev. DR.. W. r. Huntington and the Rev.
Dr. David II. Greer Then Miss Keller
walked to the front Of the platform with
her arm thrown across the shoulders Of
Miss Stevenson, her teacher. Her words
were indistinct and uninteligible to many
OF her hearers. despite the painful earnest
ness with which she spoke.
After she had finished. Joseph jefferson
read her manuscript. He said that Miss
Keller had asked him to do this service.
but there was nothing in his power that he
would not do for her, and he told of their
long friendship.
This was Miss Keller's address:
All that I have heard this afternoon about
the work this institution is doing fills me
with gratitude to the generous-spirited citi-
zen who has extended its usefulness In
spite of the hard words that are spoken
against this great city, I find here a wide
human sympathy. Everybody Is imbued
with 1t. We feel it everywhere. 1t maketh
the hearts Of the rich and the strong to over
flow with kind thoughts for those who sufler
and are cast down. and kind thoughts beget
kind deeds.
New York receives every year thousands
OF the starving and naked of every ra ce every
country every faith. and more than any other
city in the United States she clothes the naked
feeds the hungry, teaches the ignorant and
relieves those who suffer Many cities have
been great for many reasons-Jerusalem,
the city hullowed by the prophets and the
birthplace Of Christianity: Athens, that won
triumphs of the mind even mighter than the
victories which her stcrner sister Rome
achieved by land and sea. But New York
is building up her greatness in a nober way,
she Is transforming her wealth and skill into
hs heps nna be of ea on aY
appeals in behalf Of tn" New York Eye and
Far lnfrmary, if you, could look, into the
the stiffness which the deaf hear. There is no
greater deprivation than blindness, no
sharper anguish than deafness know these
Limitations a : YOU cannot know them. and vet
l have not known the suffering which this
institution Inst .r is meant s1h to elevate Those
become blind or deaf, ana be untitled for life's
duties.
My own difficulties are vastly increased
because | cannot or hear. How they
must be redoubed when one has seen and
heard for many year; and has been engaged
then suffers This unutterahle loss
Ask yourself what i, is 10 see try to under
stand what 1t would be not TO see. and per-
sight, You may put your soul into your finger
tips but YOU can grasp only as much of the
world a. you can take into your hand
| am studying economics this year, and
have learned that i is condition of social
life. that people shall work for one another,
every member to work, A human being
who does not work is not member Of society
so feeble, crippled or defective as not to be
able to work; makes lie a .5 burden which
must bear, The welfare and happiness OF
Others is essential to our, own. In order to
others We must feel their sorrow All
sSy al ws THAT xs sasrx snGw all al ea
part. for the universal good Heaven doth
with ,us rs we with torches do, not light them
for themselves.
A community acts. then, with enlightened
self interest when ii builds and euuips an
grow like the tree of life, whose leaves arr
for the healing Of the nations such an
institution restores to the world tho blind.
the deaf the sick and the lame, able to do
their part Of its work.
It is not enough to erect handsome build |
inRs Those who work inside know that the
stone walls and splendid furnishings do not
accomplish anything. IT is cooperation in a
work Of mercy that makes it complete.
Trained nurses muet be paid, and the most |
efic apparatus obtained. and every com |
fort secured to the patients, IF the work Of the
hospital Is to be confirmed. continued and |
extended.
This institution has become your sacred |
burden. Look on T. lit it. bear II proudly. |
hands OF the physicians here who are fellow !
workmen together with God.
Miss Kellers address was received with |,
applause by the audience.
md after the ceremonies she was the centre |
u interest. DR.. Gorham Bacon, the head |
II the Aural Department. and w. Jay |
schieffelin, lay member of the board Of |
directors of the institution. each made a
brief address.
The new pavilion is a continuation Of
he main building on the Second avenue |
front. II contains two operating rooms,
special rooms for patients with brain COM |,
plications and a chidren's ward. Mr.. |
gift was $4,000, and tie |
directors are in need OF funds for special |
equipment and the extension of the in
,ttution's work