The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-07

Inc reverend CnarlGS M1cnael dc
LEpee, who is deservedly called "the
universal benefactor Of the deaf" was
born November "a, 1872, and died De-
cembert %, 1889. BY inventing a
universal language of conventional
signs he has given to the deaf Of all
countries means by which they can
be well educated and enabled Tin
spite of great handicap to live a
normal life and secure important po-
sitions.
Father de L'Epee took a deep inter-
est in the afflicted. He wished to be
helpful friend to ALL One day he
saw two deaf young women striving,
by the use of peculiar signs, to make
their thoughts known to each other.
The interested priest knew that
though they, by constant association,
could hold limited converse with each
other they would be unable to make
stranger understand their impro-
vised signs He gave this matter
very serious thought and at last de-
termined to invent one-handed al
phabet, reduce the gestures of the
dumb to an international system of
expression and open a school where
the new language would be taught. 1t
was not long until Father de L'Epee
opened school for the deaf in Paris
and to it came pupils from all over
the world. In the course of time his
sign code was adopted everywhere.
His system became one of the won
ders of the world. He showed the
deaf the possibilities in the way of
higher education. He awakened an
interest in the deaf that no other
person has succeeded in doing and
has done so much for hundreds Of
thousands of our fellow men that we
should all know what he accom-
| plished and honor him as one of the
greatest men in history
The first of the crowned heads Of
Europe to become deeply interested
in Father de L'Epee and his remark
able work was the Emperor of Aus
tria. He sent one of his ecclesiastics
to Paris to learn the sign language
and on his return the first National
School for the Deaf was established in
Vienna. 1t was not long until most of
the civilized countries had sent ear
nest men to Paris to be trained by
Able de L'Epee in the language he
had originated and brought to high
degree of perfection. France, Eng
land, Spain, Holland, Switzerland,
Austria, Italy Denmark and Russia
soon had disciples of Father de
L'Epee teaching their deaf.
First American Teacher of the Deaf
The first teacher of the sign lam
guage in America was Thomas Hop
kins Gallaudet. He was an alumnus
of Yale and began to prepare himself
for the ministry when he met little
Alice Cogswell, a deaf girl. This
meeting was the stimulus that deter
mined him to labor in a field then
uncultivated. He went to Paris and
studied in the de L'Epee school. Here
he was warmly welcomed by Father
Sicard, worthy successor of the
founder. After mastering the sign
language Gallaudet engaged an expert
teacher, Laurent Clerc, brought him
to this country and opened up the
first American school for the training
Of the deaf at Hartford, Conn. Gal
laudet gave to his pupils more than
sign language. He put enthusiasm
into his chosen work and inspired
with hope those who attended his
school. Being a good Christian, he
turned their thoughts to things eter-
nal and taught his pupils the tenets of
faith in which he firmly believed.
State Schools for the Deaf.
The seed sown by Father de L'Epee
has borne fruit. The tiny acorn plant
ed by Gallaudet has crown into a
great tree. The results in this coun-
try are marvellous. Every state has
it's well-equipped school where able
teachers are preparing the deaf to
take their places in the various avoca-
tions in life. There are MANY private
schools where the deaf pupils are CIV
en- primary, an academic or an in
dustrial training. 1t is everywhere
recognized that the National Deaf
Mute College, Washington, d. c.,
founded by e. M. Gallaudet in 1854,
stands at the head of the list. Thorn
as Hopkins Gallaudet has long since
passed away but the good work has
been carried on by his son who is
now advanced in years. He surely
must be proud Of his revered father.
He must be particularly well pleased
with what has been accomplished
during the last two decades. Today
the deaf are found doing satisfactory
work in various manufacturing estab-
lishments, in workshops Of all kinds,
in chemical laboratories, in printing
Offices, in studios, in government Of
fees and in the editors sanctum.
They have contributed valuable arti-
cles to newspapers and current maga-
zines. They publish many papers in
their own interests and have won dis
tfnction as authors. The educated
deaf are energetic and contribute
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