The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-08-22
SESSION HELD AT
CEDAR SPRINGS
South Carolina Association 0f
the Deaf Met at Cedar Springs
August l3--15-Meeting En-
joyed by Attendants-Herberf
r. Smoak, of Union, Chosen
President. s
(By Special Reporter.)


Attendance at the second biennial
convention of the South Carolina As
sociation of the Deaf at Cedar
Springs, August 13. IA, and Is, was
not large, but the meetings, other
wise, were most satisfactory, as were
the local entertainments. "Some jol-
ly bunch!" That's the only descript-
tion that really fits this second con-
vention. Using the institution as
headquarters, the deaf from all over
the State and from outside of it be-
gan gathering at an early hour We'd
nesday afternoon and over three
scores had collected in time for the
formal opening meeting at seven
o'clock that night. 81
A little depression here, please.
Only short time before the Civil
War the education for the deaf be-
gan to dawn. Prior to vhis the. deaf
were always Stunned or looked upon
as undesirable and unfortunate
beasts. France got the credit for
starting the education for the deaf,
thus lifting them out of darkness or
Ignorance. One day a good, old
priest happened to meet deaf boy
and being moved by compassion
made his acquaintance. This led to
remarkable discovery and belief
that the deaf were not what they
were thought to be. The priest de-
vised different signs or gestures of
hands and arms, as we'll as the wrig-
giles of the fingers, the means by
which the deaf were enabled to COM.
municate with each other by wStch.
ing such movements. Success After
iHaaesakn44e sspfe1u -wruerJ I'd yaP.'
idly, yet the education for the"dea1
progressed slowly and with much
struggle. owing to the fact that the
deaf were always widely scattered
and the prejudices, as we'll as many
other difficulties were abundant until
while after the Civil war. AT the
present time every state in the Unit
ed States provides one or more
schools for the deaf and the onltee
) States is boasting of providing tn
only college for the deaf in the worio
Today the deaf are not only educated
but also have their own trades o
$ business to support themselves, an
: even own property which enable
e them to enjoy the life in this wori
s as much as the hearing people.
= But return to the subject OF tn
article. this year the papers pre-
l. ented were of a high order OF e.
'e cellence and of much practical valu
in Wednesday evening the progra
l. consisted of invocation, several rec
On of moving pictures; song by char'
}. inp little lady of Columbia and Der
diction.
President T. H. Coleman, and
professor, called the session to orc
~ on Thursday morning and after
y Invocation, DIR. N. F. Walker, the
nerintendent of the S. G. school
i'd the deaf at Cedar Springs, delive
zen an address of welcome on behalf
S. the institution and its authorities,
use which he spoke about the wonde,
're, and rapid advancement and impre
of ment in the school work for the 9
ill. of late, and at this rate he decla
ned it would only be a question OF 81
trio time before the education of the
,ese would equal, if not excel that OF
,ozy the hearing. His address was
avn sponded to by President ColeI
we're This was followed by another add
iris. on Education for Efficiency an
e of the Deaf" by Hon. J. E. Swearin
the famous blind superintendent
ming education and the pride of the {
'. M. Spring institution. Hon. Swe
Eta gen being unavoidably detained
Nary special business, did not come In
iage, son, but he sent his neatly type
and ten address to be read before tn
men sembly and it was received with
attention. Mr.. T. B. Thackston
,alled had just returned from Jo
through Europe studying the
cultural credit system, honore
convention with very inter
talk about his. trip over there
been old ex-professor from the North
Poard olina School for the Dear ana
le va Tillinghast, of Converse COLES
T. b. so gave some talks OF ln1eres'
cepted deaf. The biennial ADDRESS .
ry Co. president then followed, aI.er
Aud there were read the reports
IN en- secretary, executive committed
man. treasurer. The morning ssssio