The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09
THEY STUDY
IN SILENCE
GET KNOWLEDGE LITERALLY AT
THEIR FINGERS, ENDS.
Higher Education for the Deaf and
Dumb-A Unique Institution at
Washington Successful Also in
Athletics-A Deaf Mute Football
Team and Its Victories.
Institution for the DEAF neu,ls 1ala

Institution for the Deaf. Devils Lake.
~. D., Jan. 5.-On the outskirts of
Washington, D. c., there stands a no.
bic group Of brick buildings, which,
seen from afar, remind the casual OBJ
server of the villa of a money prince.
Surrounded by majestic trees, green
lawns and potted palms-with drive
ways and paths gracefully laid out.
the beauty OF this particular spot is
known far and near.
But while many know of the place
on account of it's artistic appearance.
comparatively few can state the real
object of its existence, for it repre-
senls much more than these delights
or the eye. 1t is the site Of Gallaudet
college, the noted institution for the
higher education of the deaf and
dumb.
Before dwelling at length upon the
work OF this institution, it might be
OF interest to notice briefly the early
efforts to educate this peculiar variety
of the human race. The object anS
worth of this institution of learning
Will then be more fully understood.
Hundreds of years ago the Roman
poet, Lucretius, wrote:
10 instruct the deaf no art could ever
reach.
No care improve them and no wisdom
teach.
And this strangely absurd conclu-
ton was accepted by the people of his
time.
The great majority of deaf children
porn to them were either cast into
the sea or else beheaded. Then the
birth of deaf child was a. disgrace
to the parents and greatest misfor-
tune IN the world. To-day, while nor
NAL people look upon the event as
unfortunate, still, with our educat ional
facilities, gained thru the experience
and sacrifice Of interested men, there
IS the satisfaction of seeing such chill
uren grow up strong men and women,
patthng successfully in the world along
with others in full possession of ali
five senses. wa
put Tor many years it was believed
that these persons were "inexorably
smut Off from social intercourse" with
normal people; and the idea of re-
storing them or of making their I'M
not to have been regarded as a pos
Slplllty. They were denied, when al
lowed to grow up, the right to buv
or sell, or to make a will when they
mad succeeded in amassing any prom
erty Besides this, freedom in any
other form was almost absolutely un-
known to them.
This dreadful state of affairs con-
t1nued apparently uninterrupted until
the appearance of good Spanish
Monk, Pedro Ponce, who died in 1884.
His successful teaching of a deaf mute
caused widespread interest, and from
enat tlme on those that were so I'M
sense of hearing were instructed
and lifted up TO that plane of liv-
Ing characteristic of an enlightened
people.
AS time went on, better results in
the uplifting of the deaf and dumb
were nad thru the efforts of influential
men of means. The results of the
labors of the Able De PEpee in France
and of Heinecke in Germany were so
satisfactory that institutions for their
instruction were soon established
turnout the civilized world.
In 1917 the first school for the deaf
in America was founded at Hartford.
Conn, by the Rev. DR.. Thomas Hop
klns Gallandet. The venture proved
successful and in time similar schools
were established in almost every state
in the union, and for these the total
sum OF $12,803,s98 was expended. All
or these schools are, with a few ex-
ceptions. supported entirely or in part
by the different states, and they form
part of the public school system.
In 1854 the education of the deaf
and dumb became so far advanced
that DR.. Edward Miner Gallaudet,
youngest son of the founder of the
Hartford school, resolved to establish
college for the higher education of
this class of people at Washington,
and extend to them the advantages af-
forded their more fortunate hearing
brothers and sisters. The attempt
was no easy task, for his, reasoning
strongest kind of opposition that
prejudice is capable of inspiring in
man. He did not lose heart, how
ever, and the stronger the opposition
the more agressiveg he became until
finally his earnestness Of purpose ap-
yielded. In 1865 both branches Of
congress passed an act extending to
the college the power to grant "such
degrees in the arts and sciences as are
usually granted in colleges This
document was borne to the White
House for President Lincoln's sigma
ture by John Hay, now secretary of
state.
Since then about 200 deaf men and
women have successfully pursued the
collegiate course offered there and re-
ceived degrees. Besides these more
than 500 have received instruction
therein ranging from one year to
three, but which did not entitle them
to receive diplomas.
The course Of study is the same as
that offered in our best colleges for
the hearing. All recitations and lee
lures are conducted by means of finger
spelling and signs. The professors, !
tho they are hearing men with but |
two exceptions, are quite fluent in this |
silent language of the deaf. They are
graduates of such universities as Yale, |
Harvard, Brown, Johns Hopkins,
Trinity, etc. Two Of them are deaf |
as has been said, and took their de-
grees from their alma mater.
The students maintain several So /
cieties and clubs. Chief among them !
are literary society, Greek letter So
ciety, dramatic and athletic clubs. The |
plays rendered are conducted in pam
tomime, which is really painting pic
lures in the air by a series of motions.
They are almost realistic and even the
great crowds Of hearing people who
pay admission to these plays can
usually follow them minutely. In many
instances, where the scenes are
dramatic or touching tears are brought
into the eyes of those who had never
before. beheld the wonderful portrayal |
of play in pantomime by the deaf
and dumb. Often great men connected
with the government go over to the
college and lecture before their So
cieties These lectures are translated |
into signs for their benefit by one Of
the professors-both speakers occupy
ing the floor at the same time.
In athletics the students are by no
means inferior to those of other col
leges. Think for moment of foot
ball or track team from college con-
sisting of but seventy-five students,
all deaf, downing opposing teams from
hearing universities with an enroll