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Address of Dr. Robert Patterson.

Mr. President, ladies, and gentlemen: To every college man his alma mater is dear. In it he takes just pride, and bestows on it devout homage. This devotion keeps up the fire of enthusiasm for continuous improvement in the institution and the individual alike.

Would it be claiming too much to say that our college means more to its alumni than do colleges for the hearing to their alumni? We stand on holy ground; here is the battlefield on which was fought to a successful issue the proposition whether or not the deaf were equal to the pursuit of higher education. This is the only college that keeps open the gateway to higher attainments for the deaf.

On this occasion a host of memories comes up from the past, and all our thoughts center on the chief figure in the history of our alma mater, our leader in the arena of action. What makes his leadership the more interesting and inspiring is the fact that he is a worthy son of the distinguished pioneer, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, who blazed the way for the education of the deaf in our country so early as 1817. His leadership had its germination in a prediction which he caught, in his boyhood, from the lips of his father to the effect, that a college for the deaf was a possibility in the horizon of the future.

This prediction inspired in him a resolution to follow in the footsteps of his father and consecrate his life to the service and uplift of the deaf. When he stood up on the 28th of June, 1864, to be installed as president of the college dedicated on that day to the deaf, he was possessed of no wild spirit of adventure, his soul was steadied with a calm faith and determination to turn the prophecy of his father to a reality.

This faith and determination gave him strength and courage to fight his battle against the forces of prejudice, doubt, and opposition that he encountered in his way, and he never wavered under the strain. Like Constantine of old, he saw the cross of his cause flaming in the sky and knew that by it he must conquer, and he pressed on to victory. How well he succeeded is told in the story of how this broad domain of Kendall Green became the home of the college, of how these beautiful buildings went up, of how free scholarships were obtained to insure the stability of the college. All honor to our gallant leader.

The work, the record, the influence of our alma mater, all attest that it has been well worth while. Almost a thousand graduates have gone forth from these walls, who otherwise might still be held down by the bonds of inferiority and limitation. We remember, do we not, how, as we were passing through the training afforded here, we awoke to a new life under the expanding intelligence and knowledge that came to us, and how the bars of the prison house in which our deafness confined us gave way one by one? And at length when the time came for us to leave these well beloved scenes, we had liberation; we began to get a different point of view on life, and power to face the future without fear. We went forward with something of eagerness and confidence to seek places in the business and the professional world, determined to make good, and we met with an attitude of friendly encouragement. We shrank not from the crucible of experience and came out with a larger capacity for appreciating the joys of the larger life, and for participating in the many activities and interests concentrated in efforts for the welfare of the human race. And the world, appreciative of our efforts, as it always is of all earnest endeavor, has not been slow in bestowing upon us its approbation and reward.

Our alma mater has stood the test to which it was put, and thus has won for itself a place in the world as a producer of human wealth, which, more than material wealth, is the glory and bulwark of a nation. The results which our college has achieved give to it a standing that fully justifies its permanent existence.

We are glad of an opportunity this afternoon to acknowledge publicly the debt we owe to our honored and beloved leader, Dr. Edward Miner Gallaudet, and to him we now turn.

Dr. Gallaudet, dear friend, this is a divine moment that stirs the emotions, as it brings us once more face to face. It gives us the privilege of saying in public what is felt and well understood, if not often enough expressed, between you and us. In launching this college and in guiding it with skill and success for so long, you fostered for us opportunities to develop powers for the realization of nobler human aspirations, and for the cultivation of ability to enter upon a higher plane in the world's activities. In so doing you conferred upon us the precious gift of your love, your wisdom, your courage, and your strength, and the inspiration of your personality, your character, and your ideals of life. Toward you our hearts are, as the beautiful line of Thomas Moore expresses it—

Rich in deep hymns of gratitude and love!

and ever will we cherish you and all that you have given us of service and of soul.

Our regret that you have found it necessary to lay down the heavy burdens you have so long carried is tempered by the knowledge that the inspiration and helpfulness of your love will be continued in your graduates for years and years to come and exert an uplifting influence on those as yet unborn.

In retiring from active service as head of the college you carry with you our best and kindest wishes for health, happiness, and peace in the years yet to come. May God be good to you in the blessings of rest and change of occupation which you seek and so richly deserve.

In the full discharge of my mission, I now have the honor to deliver into your hands a message of love and gratitude from your "boys and girls." May it help to deepen in your heart the sense of comfort that springs from a consciousness of service done in blessing and enriching the lives of others.

President Percival Hall, it gives us pleasure to offer you in public sincere assurances of our unamimous and heartfelt congratulations upon falling heir to the mantle of your distinguished predecessor. Your elevation is a source of gratification to us because it is the choice of Dr. Gallaudet, based upon a deep conviction of your fitness to discharge the duties of your office. You shall always have our strong and true support in your efforts to meet the problems of the future and to promote the progress of the college; and be assured that, in the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee,

Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee-are all with thee!

Address of Dr. J. R. Dobyns.

Members of the corporation, the faculty, students of the college, ladies, and gentlemen: I desire to express to the management of the college my sincere appreciation of the distinguished honor of being called to represent the schools for the deaf of this great country on such an important occasion and on a day that marks an epoch in the history of the instruction of the deaf as well as that of the life of the only college for their higher education in the world.

Conscious of this splendid presence and thinking of a Peet and a Kerr and a McIntyre and a Gillett and a Noyes and a Johnson, cotemporaries of one whom we delight to honor to-day and ideals of my own young manhood, whose very names are synonyms of that which is highest and purest and best and whose time and talents and energies were given, a freewill offering, to the advancement of the deaf, I feel a thrill of enthusiasm which I can not put into words.

The memory of their marked individualities, their superior mental and moral endowments, and the stainless records of their useful and unselfish lives help us to get a truer conception of the dignity and grandeur of the great work of the century that makes this happy experience to-day a part of our lives.

We are living in the crowning century of time, in the most wonderful country on the earth, under the best government the world has ever known, and among a people who excel the nations in industry, thrift, and enterprise. When we think of what has been done for the deaf and the character of the men and women who have done it, are we not justified in feeling that we stand for a cause which, in its purpose and extent and success, is in keeping with the energies of our people, the quality of our Government, the character of our country, and the progress of our times?

Statistics, to the uninterested, are always uninteresting, but to the interested ought always to be interesting. I am confident there are many whose lives are identified with the deaf and who think more about their training and education than they do about any other subject, to say nothing about those who are not familiar with the education of the deaf, who do not realize the enormous proportions of the work and expenditures along this line during the century which stands out in such bold relief.

The American Annals of the Deaf, beginning with January, 1875, has published annually a table of statistics of the State schools showing, among other things, the number of pupils attending, the number of instructors employed, and the amounts expended for support and for buildings and grounds. These statistics show that for the years 1875 to 1910, inclusive, there were supported 347,881 pupils and that there were employed 32,489 instructors, counting, of course, in many instances the same children and employees year after year; and there was expended for support $62,189,380.57, and on buildings and grounds $12,411,105.65, making an annual average total of $2,131,440.23. The total value of the buildings and grounds of the 62 State schools January 1, 1911, was $15,649,104, or an average value of $252,403.

Would that a Fay had appeared in 1817 to tabulate and publish and perpetuate such statistics that we might see what a century of work revealed!

For what does the education of the deaf in this country stand?

Looked at from a commercial point of view, it must be a most successful enterprise when the legislative bodies of our sovereign States continue to make such enormous appropriations to cover expense accounts.

Looked at from an industrial point of view, it takes in the whole range of occupations and is opening the way for them to enter every calling.

Looked at from the point of citizenship, statistics show that the educated deaf are not only not dependent, but are earning annually a sum equal to, if not greater than, the total amounts expended by the States in the care and training of those placed in the schools year by year.

Looked at from an intellectual or literary point of view, does not the founding and maintaining and operating of this very college crown it with the supremest success? I may tell you that I am stirred by the profoundest emotions; I may point you to men of unusual power who have immolated themselves upon the altar of service for the deaf; I may gather statistics and show what marvelous strides have been made and what the country has done for the deaf; I may remind you what signal success has crowned the efforts of the educated deaf themselves; I might marshal before you that great galaxy of faithful, competent, patient, loving, Christian teachers who have gone to their rewards; but unless I hold aloft the name of Gallaudet and trace its magic power through the century and tell you that there is the inspiration for those who have gone and those who are passing and those who are coming, I would not satisfy my constituency. Every hair of every head of every pupil and of every graduate of every school for the deaf of every State of the Union points to the name of Gallaudet. That name is written in the palms of their hands and dangles from their very finger tips.

Time in his untiring march may some day take from us the last Gallaudet, but the name will forever run as a golden thread through the weaving of the history of the people they loved so well.

Dr. Gallaudet, I greet you to-day in the name of 13,540 pupils and 1,673 instructors and thousands upon thousands of their friends scattered over this great country. Mississippi's gifted orator, fearless Congressman, distinguished Senator, successful Secretary, able Justice, and renowned statesman, L. Q. C. Lamar, said at the open grave of Charles Sumner, "If we knew each other better we would love each other more." We could not know you any better, therefore we can not love you any more. We know the trials you have had, the stands you have taken, the battles you have fought, the sieges you have endured, the scars you have received, the victories you have won. We have analyzed your blood, blood which came by right of inheritance, and found in it wisdom, justice, iron love.

You have come to the close of a long, successful, and illustrious career as the founder and head of a celebrated college. Your personality supports its foundations, cements its walls, decorates its ceilings, sparkles in its curriculum, and embellishes its name. In all my dreams of fancy I had never pictured so much honor for myself as I enjoy now, for I am commissioned by your hundreds of thousands of friends in this great country to place upon your brow the crown that glory wears.

And now, my young friend, Mr. President, there is the past. It reveals a glorious and an inspiring record. Study it and you will find an ideal and catch a glimpse of a goal. Are you afraid? If you have said to God, "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, what am I?" remember He said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Measured by the universe you are helpless. Measured by the standard by which you were made, your possibilities are infiníte. "Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed." "Only be thou strong and very courageous, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Address of Dr. Edward Gallaudet.

Gentlemen, students, and friends: When Mr. Hall graduated from Harvard University he came to Kendall Green and entered the normal department. He devoted himself earnestly for a year to the questions of the best methods of educating the deaf. He had determined to devote his life to that work. He was then called to the New York institution to be an instructor, and was successful in his work. After two years he was called to the faculty of our college, in which he has since labored with immense success, and during this period he has been in charge of the normal department and of the department of articulation. In these departments he has shown executive ability of the highest order, which makes me confident of his success in the field to which he has now been called.

Allusion has been made in some of the addresses to-day of the close connection between this institution and the Congress of the United States. As I look over the many years I have been here I feel a deep sense of gratitude that Congress has so nobly aided the work here, which shows for itself what has been accomplished, and I feel that the

result of that work in benefit to the young people can hardly be overestimated, for it has opened to them the higher grades of employment which would have been impossible without the education received here. They have been through a task of difficulty in the enlargement of their mental scope, and all that has been given to them in their studies in literature and the arts and sciences has not been given in vain. I have no hesitation in saying that I feel sure that all the money which has been spent by Congress here in this institution has been repaid by the students in enabling them to enter the world well equipped to be self supporting.

In retiring from the activity of president I go with a feeling that we have never asked a dollar which was not deserved and which was not useful and beneficial.

To President Hall I desire to convey my warmest congratulations. As I place in his hands the wand I believe he will have the unselfish support of his colleagues of the institutions, of our graduates, of the deaf of the country, and of all who are interested in the education of the deaf. I wish him Godspeed in his success and in all he undertakes.

Address of President Hall.

President Gallaudet and gentlemen of the board of directors: I appreciate highly the confidence you have shown me and the honor you have done me in placing in my hands the guidance of this noble institution. In accepting this great responsibility, President Gallaudet, I most earnestly pray for a double portion of your spirit; that spirit which has secured for you the love and devotion of all connected with this institution; that spirit which has guided it safely through calm and storm for over half a century. Ladies and gentlemen: Up to the present time there have been five important steps in the education of the deaf. The first was the comprehension of the fact that deafness is only a physical defect which bars no one from mental advancement, the realization that the eye can open to the mind through language-printed, spoken, spelled, or signed nearly the whole field of knowledge. This idea was established by Cardan in Italy less than 400 years ago.

The second step was the actual instruction of the deaf and the recording of the means used in doing so. This was accomplished nearly a century later in Spain by De Leon and Bonet, and several deaf children were taught to speak orally, to spell manually, and to write their native language.

The third step was the recognition of the duty of the State to educate its deaf children. This was brought about near the end of the eighteenth century by the work of the noble Abbé de l'Épée for poor deaf children in Paris, though an Austrian disciple of his founded a national school in Vienna before the French Government took over the school in its own capital.

The fourth step was the introduction into the United States in 1817, by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, of the education of the deaf as a State duty. In our young, rich, and progressive nation this special work has ever since been recognized as one of the duties and privileges of the Government, and has been more highly developed and more successfully carried on than anywhere else in the world.

In 1864 came the last important step, brought about by Edward Miner Gallaudet, the foundation of this college for the deaf, a college whose graduates have proved by their splendid work in the fields of business, science, art, education, and letters, the wisdom of its founder, the wisdom of Congress, its liberal supporter, and the wisdom of Cardan when he proclaimed to the world 400 years ago the possibility of the mastery of knowledge by the eye unaided by the ear.

It is most worthy of remembrance that two of these great steps have been due to the labors of Americans. It is doubly remarkable that they have been due to the labors of father and son; and as long as there are deaf people in the world, or any history of the education of the deaf exists-yes, as long as there shall be admiration for noble work of any kind—so long will the name of Gallaudet be held in honor and in love. The pioneer work, the difficult work, the greatest work in our field has already been accomplished. Yet I believe there is much still to be done in which this college may bear an honorable part.

With the beautiful domain of Kendall Green, its farm and field and forest, ready for use, we should broaden our work here by giving to our young men more opportunities to study the science of agriculture. With shops, power and light plant and laboratories well equipped we must open to them more and more the fields of chemistry and electricity with their practical applications. With better equipment for both theory and practice we should offer to our young women the opportunity of learning better home making; all of these opportunities for careful study by scientific methods, so our students may be inspired in their work by the love of truth. Yet in thus expanding Gallaudet College must always stand for a thorough and strong foundation in

language, in mathematics, in history, in philosophy, without which any superstructure must surely fall.

And above all, to the deaf people of all the world, in fact to all the world Gallaudet College to be worthy of its name must continue ever to stand for high ideals of character and for faith in God, such ideals and such faith as carried one Gallaudet across wide oceans in the search for light, and has borne another through 54 years of constant and successful labor for the advancement of the deaf.

Address of Hon. John W. Foster.

President Gallaudet: I may still address you as president. I desire to speak a last word to you in behalf of the board of directors of this institution.

Four years ago when you completed your hålf century of labor in this college the board of directors adopted a series of resolutions expressive of their appreciation of your services during this long period. These resolutions were made as a part of the commencement exercises at that time, were engraved, framed, and delivered to you. The four years that have passed have only intensified our appreciation of your services, and it is not necessary, therefore, that I should lengthen my remarks by a repetition of this appreciation.

I have been requested by the board to ask you to accept this product of the craftsman's art, to be kept by you in remembrance of us and our association with you, and which may be handed down as an heirloom to your children. The inscription placed upon it indicates our purpose in its presentation, and reads as follows:

"To Edward Miner Gallaudet, President of the Columbia Institution for the Deaf for fifty-four years. From the Directors of that Institution, as a token of their esteem and appreciation for him as a teacher, philanthropist, and man. Washington, D. C. May, 1911."

It will be to you not only a token of our esteem and high estimate of your labors, but also a reminder that as the result of your long and faithful services you have established here the only institution of higher or university education for the deaf, not only in the United States, but in the whole world.

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