Evening star., 1939-02-05
By John CIagen Proctor.

Dp JOHb NIoSCt ScStVss
The celebration of birthday an.
rliversaries and anniversaries OF
various events is custom prob
ably as old as civilization itself
and will, no doubt, continue until
the end of time. In the Old World
there are still ancient occurrences
annually celebrated with pomp and
ceremony, and though the written
history of our own country does
not go back near so far, yet there
are many events we, too, recognize
In the same spirited way.
Indeed, in many ways America
with it's progressive spirit and It's
inventive genius, has accomplished
things that deserve to be recog-
nized. as certain milestoneS III its
existence are reached, and this does
not always apply either to its mill
tary achievements or to its political
life, but just as frequently to mat
tiers of public welfare in which the
whole Nation is concerned.
And, so it happens with an occa-
sion to be celebrated this very day
in connection with the life of the
Columbia Institution for the Deaf
when this worthy school for the
teaching of the deaf mute was given
authority, by act of Congress, to
grant and confer such degrees IN
the liberal arts and sciences to such
pupils of the institution or others
who, by their proficiency in learning
or other meritorious distinction they
shall think entitled to them, as are
usually granted and conferred in
colleges" And thus began Gallau-
Diet College. named in honor OF
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. founder
of the education of the deaf in the
United States.
Signed by Lincoln.
The act referred to that gave Co.
lumbia Institution the right to set
up a higher branch of learning and
to confer degrees, was signed by
President Lincoln on February 8
1864, and in the autumn of the
same year that the act was signed
a collegiate department, known as
the National Deaf Mute College
was opened, the name being later
changed to its present designation
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, for
whom the college was named, was
born December 10, 1887, and died
September 10, 1851. He was the
father of Thomas Gallaudet 1922
1902, an Episcopal clergyman, and
of Edward Miner Gallaudet. born
February S, 1887, and died Septem-
ber 26, 1917. The latter became the
first president of the college. and
since his birthday fits in so closely
with the date of the act of February
8, it is the intention of the lnstitu-
ton to commemorate his birthday
February S, in fitting manner, as
a part of the general celebration
of the 18th anniversary OF the COL
lege. On June 3 of this year fur
ther exercises will be held, when it
is hoped to bring to Washington
representations of neighboring col
leges, particularly those Of the Mid
die Atlantic States group. At this
time students will be called upon
to explain the work of the college
and honorary degrees may be con-
ferred to a number of educators OF
the deaf in this and other countries
who have been outstanding in then
efforts along this special line OF
training.
Only Deaf-Mute Poet.
These summer exercises are sci
for a most appropriate time, since
it was in June, 1864, that the first
degree given was conferred on John
Carlin, a brilliant young deaf mar
who became a celebrated miniature
portrait painter and writer, and the
only deaf-mute poet of his day the
world over. 1t was upon this, the
occasion of the opening of the col
lege, that Mr.. Carlin was invited te
deliver an address, and for his fine
effort was rewarded with the de-
gree of master of arts.
Today, as we look the buildings
and grounds of this particularly out
standing institution over and realize
the magnificent work being carried
on there for a class of unfortunate
boys and girls, we naturally extenc
our grateful appreciation to those
who have made such an establish
ment possible and, foremost per.
haps of all, we turn our thoughts tt
Amos Kendall. who did many thing!
in his full and useful life. but moth.
ing so worthy as the part he per.
formed in making this institution
possible.
Paid Way by Teaching.
Mr.. Kendall was born in Dun.
stable, Mass, August 16, 1889, "ot
the plain and hardy yeomanry Of
that district" as it has been said
and his education was secured under
difficulties usual to such an environ.
ment. Before graduating from Dart.
mouth College he had entered as E
student there five times in the foul
years required for this purpose, ane
each time he re-entered the clas.
he had to take an examination tt
do so. The necessity for this wa!
lack of funds, for at intervals he
was compelled to leave college ane
teach school at SIG a month, never
getting more than $25, in order tt
return to college and be able tt
pay his tuition and resume his stu.
dies.
He studied law, settled in George.
town, KY, and engaged in newspaper
work there, later moving to Frank.
fort, where he took charge of thu
editorial columns of the Argus AL.
ways an admirer and supporter o.
Gen. Andrew Jackson, he Willingly
accepted during that President!
first administration the position o.
fourth auditor of the Treasury De-
partment, and during "Old Hick.
ory's" second term became his Post.
master General, post which he re-
tanned we'll into the administration
of Martin Van Buren, when he re,
signed to engage in editorial pur.
suits.
Mr.. Kendall was notably con-
nected with the successful introduc.