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"There is a gentleman present whose name will always stand identified with this humane enterprise in Our State as does the name of Clinton with the Erie canal-I allude to Frederick F. Backus. You have just heard in the truthful history of the institution by Dr. Wilbur, and in the eloquent address by Governor Hunt, of his valuable and devoted exertions in the first public movement made in America, in the cause of the education of idiots. It is, therefore, needless for me to enlarge on that head; but I desire, from my own knowledge, to say that had the bill which Dr. Backus, by his great personal influence and devotion, carried through the Senate in 1846, been sustained in the house, of Assembly by any member with equal personal influence and devotion, an asylum for idiots would have been established by the State of New York in that year. I am unwilling, citizens of Syracuse, that an individual standing thus prominent in the history of this noble charity should be among you on this interesting occasion without allowing you an opportunity of an acquaintance; I shall, therefore, take the liberty of disregarding his desire to remain unobserved, and of claiming the privilege to make him personally known to you."

Mr. Titus then introduced Dr. Backus to the Assembly.

Dr. Backus excused himself from speaking on account of his health.

The benediction was then pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Canfield.

The following letters were received from gentlemen who were invited but were unable to attend on this occasion:

NEW-YORK, Sept. 6, 1854.

My Dear Sir -- It would give me great pleasure to be at Syracuse on the occasion of laying the corner stone of the Asylum for Idiots, but it will not be in my power.

I remember, with much interest, the visit we paid to that institution, in its original location near Albany. I was then deeply impressed with the importance of the undertaking, and highly gratified with the success which seemed already to have crowned your efforts. No object more purely benevolent can engage the attention of Christian men, and call, more generally, for the good wishes of the friends of humanity.

I trust it will continue to receive the fostering care of the Legislature.

I am, very truly, yours,
THOS. J. OAKLEY.

To MR. JAMES H. TITUS.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNORS OF TILE ALMS HOUSE,
ROTUNDA PARK, NEW-YORK, Sept. 7, 1854.

JAMES H. TITUS, Esq.;

Dear Sir -- Your note of invitation to Syracuse was not received in time to enable the Board of Governors to participate in the ceremonies to-morrow. I am sure, however, that I express the feeling of the Governors of the Alms House when I assure you of the deep interest they feel in the success of the State Asylum for Idiots. I assure you that I remember, with much satisfaction the visit I made to your institution near Albany.

To one who has observed the condition of the idiot, left to the ordinary treatment of the poor house, it is most gratifying to witness the great advantages a strictly idiot institution has over the ordinary provision made for this unfortunate class.

I must not forget our two boys, Natty and Willie. You, I am sure, remember their condition while under our care at Randall's Island. To see them now under the tution and care of your institution, almost in full possession of all the ordinary faculties of the mind, taught as ordinary children are, the benefits and comforts of habits of cleanliness and order,-and by means of special treatment and attention made participants in the enjoyments of life, as well as an appreciation of a happy future, calls from us a united expression of our confidence in the Asylum, which we trust will meet with the strongest sympathy and aid of legislators, as well as our citizens generally

With great respect, your obedient servant,

S. DRAPER,
President.

LITTLE FALLS, Sept. 22, 1854.
Hon. JAMES H. Titus, Saratoga Springs:

My Dear Sir -- Your invitation to participate in the ceremonies on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of the New-York Asylum for Idiots, came to my hands too late to enable me to attend with convenience, and I have not sooner acknowledged your courtesy for the reason that from the date of your letter I was at a loss where to address you.

It would have given me much gratification to be present on an occasion of such rare interest as that of founding the first edifice in the United States consecrated to this interesting charity.

The visit I made in 1852, upon your invitation, to the State School for idiots at Albany, in company with several gentlemen of the Senate and Assembly, made an impression upon my memory which is often recalled with the freshness and particularity of an event of yesterday. The little innocents seemed so happy in possessing the first glimmerings of intellect and knowledge; the expedients resorted to by their teachers in order to excite the curiosity of a vacant mind -- to awaken it to the effort of action -- to induce attention and consecutive ideas -- the progress effected by repeated and often renewed practice and patience of both teachers and pupils -- the apparent pleasure which lighted up the vacant countenance of idiocy upon the mastery of a thought; or of connecting an idea with its consequent, resulting in the clear manifestation of a human intellect where none apparently existed before -- carried one's thoughts back to the fountains of ideas, and produced in my mind emotions and feelings not to be forgotten. It seemed almost like the creation of a human soul. The progress which the pupils had made, step by step, and little by little, from blank idiocy to social humanity, and even to creditable attainments in numerals and in geographical locations, was full of hope and encouragement. I assure you that I regard this institution as a noble and most interesting charity, and I rejoice that its administration has fallen into the hands of men like yourself and Dr. Wilbur. He is entitled to great credit, not more, however, for the judicious skill of his discipline than for the untiring-zeal and benevolence with which he pursues his purpose in benefiting these unfortunate beings. Permit me to acknowledge to him, through you, his note of invitation of the same purport as yours, but not received by me until after the ceremony was past.