The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-05-29
For the Voice of Freedom.
FACTS IN MEsMERIsM.

facts" in mesmerisn. Ye, among lhos
that | have observed, am somewhat at
loss 10 determine how many and which
to select for publication. Those who have
had an opportunity of Witnessing expert
ments, and have had access TO the works
that have been written upon this subject
probably would not be much enlightened
or interested by anything related by me.
They would be interested only in that
which went beyond what they had wit
messed or read before. Those who have
not witnessed experiments, and whose
knowledge upon the subject is eonpara-
lively limited; who have read perhaps
some of the sOomdsrf~I things, so called,
pertaining to it, and from the wondertul-
ness of the thing related, have passed it by
as an idle tale, or as the "haIlucination of
moon struck Imagination" would still
continue to regard it all as an idle dream,
or as "humbug" should | only state some
of the higher, stronger or most strange
phenomena that have Witnessed. The
mind would be staggered at once Il
would be like announcing the highest
mathematical results,to mind unacquaint.
ed with its first principles. TO one that
had long been deprived of light and ac-
customed 10 darkness, the broad glare of
the sun would, at first, be intoIerabIe. If
allowed to fash upon the eye, with its
foil flood of light, entire loss of vision
might be the result. A single ray only,
would be at first endured, and then beam,
and a, length he might gaze upon the king
Of day himself, with evident delight. And
thus with mesmerism. Ii its whole truth
is flashed iuslantaneous.y upon minds un>
acquainted with it, they become blinded
and bewildered. In order to convince
them, we must proceed cautiousl y and
carefully. And then we are liable to fail
In many instances. There are some minds
so constituted that they cannot be reached
by any amount Of written or verbal lesi-
mony upon this subject. Like the unbe-
llcvlng Thomas they must see with their
own eyes and exercise their own sense of
feeling. Aud yet there is another class
who have not sense enough TO believe
their own senses, and will not admit ofthe
truihIulness of what they have seen and
experienced, because they cannot under.
stand bow and achy il is So Why not
deny that the sun shines, for who can tell
h0aO il is done! Or that seeds vegelate
when placed in a proper CONDITION.! We
know what is requisite to produce vegeta.
ton, but hoW and ayhy it is so, we are not
yet able TO comprehend. Perhaps our
race will yet understand all thar pertains
10 il. So II is with mesmersm. We
know the conditions that are requisite in
order TO produce the desired result. BY
continuing TO observe and investigate We
may possibly yet understand all the eau
SEES Of all the effects sroduced The great
trosb'e is 10 induce general spirit of in
vesligatioo, amongst all classes. TIE
many stand back doubling and marveling,
while the few are investigating. And
when "demonstrable facts" are announc.
ed by the latter they receive but little a.
!en!ion from the former. "Letlhe author
approach his subject as guardedIy as he
may soys the Rev. c. n. Townshend,
'stlll he cannot but state facts that are as
tonlshing; and the manner of his dis
course will avail him little while the mat
ter OF ii IS 50 excep,ionabe. TO those
who disbelieve the phenomena whereof he
treats, an inquiry into their causes is but
an mperlinehce. The very calmness
with which he propounds his herelical
opinions, and which results from deep
conviction OF their truth, must appear 10
Others the worst system Of iucarabIe error;
his jmparlialily will seem prejudice !;
his utmost caution madness. Let him be
ever so sound ID mind, he will encounter
more thin one Felix who vii be ready
TO eXclaim, Chou art beside myself"
But he continues, "Amongst those to
whom facts interesting and new are stated,
there will ever be some who will be led 10
think and TO inquire for themselves. Thus
the mesmeriser loses only he sofagesoflhe
prejudiced who refuse, or the careless who
a ra m IN IL