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"In reviewing the progress of legislation on this interesting subject, we must award a prominent position to Massachusetts, always among the foremost in wise measures for elevating the condition of the human race. Almost simultaneous with the first movement of Dr. Backus in our Senate, the subject was brought before the Massachusetts Legislature, and commissioners were appointed to investigate the number and condition of idiots in that State. The result of their investigations was presented in two annual reports of great value and interest. The facts and recommendations submitted by the commissioners induced the Legislature of Massachusetts in 1848, to appropriate $2,500 per annum for three years, to aid an experimental school for idiots, which was established at the Asylum for the Blind, in South Boston, under the superintendence of Dr. S. G. Howe, whose generous efforts in the cause, before and since that period, are deserving of our grateful acknowledgements. The success of the experimental school at South Boston was highly satisfactory; and in 1850 it was made a permanent institution, with a standing appropriation of $5,000 per annum for its support. Thus it will be seen that while New-York is the first to erect a State establishment as an asylum for idiots, Massachusetts was the first to appropriate money to test their capacity for instruction. The delay in our own State was not the result of indifference; but may be attributed to the distrust and incredulity with which new systems, conflicting with settled opinions are sometimes received. Although the subject was urged upon the attention of the Legislature from year to year, no definite action was reached until the special session of 1851, and it is but candid to confess that many of the members who finally consented to the experiment, expressed serious doubts of its success. The belief so generally entertained that a class of beings apparently destitute of the perceptive and reasoning faculties are incapable of practical improvement, was deeply rooted in many intelligent minds.

"The fact that so large a portion of the Legislature yielded adverse opinions, and united with cordiality in the measure finally adopted, is honorable to their patriotism and liberality. The act of 1851 was viewed as an experiment by many who voted for it, and it was deemed advisable that the means employed for testing it should be reduced to the most moderate scale.

"Accordingly, the first appropriation was limited to $6,000 per annum for two years. It may safely be affirmed that results so important and satisfactory have seldom been produced by so small an expenditure of the public resources. The experience of a single year was sufficient to dispel all doubt, and to awaken the public mind to a just sense of duty towards the afflicted class whose claims have been too long neglected. The anticipations of the most ardent friends of the measure were fully realized if not surpassed. Convinced by demonstration of the success of the undertaking, each successive Legislature has evinced a readiness to make ample provision for the support of the Asylum, and to place it on a permanent footing, among the most favored of our charitable institutions.

After the history which has just been given of the progress of the institution, I do not deem it necessary on this occasion to present a further statement on that subject, or to enlarge on the nature and advantages of the means of instruction which have been so effectually employed. Further information on these topics may be found in the annual reports of the trustees and the superintendent. The facts exhibited in these periodical statements are peculiarly gratifying. They are sufficient to carry conviction to all candid minds. I trust it will not be deemed inappropriate if I embrace this opportunity to express my appreciation of the disinterested zeal, fidelity and capacity with which the trustees have carried forward the work committed to their hands. They have discharged a difficult duty with a degree of energy alike worthy of praise and imitation. Their reward is expressed in that benignant precept of antiquity, "the more we live for others, the more we live for ourselves."

Governor Hunt said he felt some diffidence in expressing the obligations so eminently due to the superintendent of the Asylum for Idiots. It is always difficult to speak of a public benefactor in his own presence; and if we were now to give free utterance to the sentiments of gratitude inspired by his character and services, it might seem to transcend the limits which delicacy prescribes. On the other hand, if he omitted to allude to his usefulness in the sublime plan of benevolence to which he had dedicated the powers of his gifted mind, he would feel conscious that he had withheld a tribute which justice demands. More than this, it would be the suppression of a fact of important significance in connection with the history and prospect of the Institution. For a series of years Dr. Hervey B. Wilbur has made it the chief object of his life to raise the imbecile from his degradation, and awaken him to a consciousness of his existence, as a moral and intellectual being. He was the founder of a school for the education of idiots, which he established at Barre, Massachusetts, in 1848. In conducting this establishment, his labors were attended with such remarkable success, and he gave such evidences of the peculiar capacity and aptitude which the service requires, that the trustees of our State Asylum, while arranging its organization, decided to invite him to take the superintendence of the Institution. Fortunately for the State, he yielded to the solicitation of the trustees, and accepted the appointment. The wisdom of their choice is attested by the favorable result of his efforts as exhibited in the onward progress of the school from its commencement in 1851, and in its present gratifying condition. In their last annual report, the trustees justly observe that the great success of the Institution is mainly owing to the remarkable qualifications and unremitted services of the superintendent.