The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-03-15
THE ROCHESTER, 'RAPPINGS.'
BATAVIA. Feb. 25lh, 1850.
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To The Editors file TiJune:
Tho remarks of the Commercial
Adrr1i&er, noticed in the Tribune Of
23d inst. rcilcc! too strongly upon the
"Somchodics" who it SAYS have the
"ioIly' to believe the Rochester Rap.
pings to be supernatural. Who ex.
hibit5 the most "foIy" they who see,
hear. and form opinions upon evidence,
or they who form opinions denouncIng
others without evidence? Can it be a
"prcpos,erous hoax or imposition.
which battles the ability of any one to
explain as such : | had the name Of
near relative and child given and
communications in the language and
spiri: with which | was often address.
ed when they were living. at the first
Interview. aloGc and without the ac>
quain,ancc to my knowledge Of a per.
sou in Rochester. 1T another time
my uanc was spelled out by these
mysterious communications with the
wish to talk with me. My questions
pcr,ained to the ones above alluded
to. obtained no satisfactory an.
swcr-l called for physical signs to
Indicate who was addressing me
immediate y came the sound Of plan.
lag and then saving. and during tho
last the table, around which we stood,
trcn.bled--instantl my mind recur.
red to having assisted IA near relative
III some mechanical experiments re.
curing the use Of the pane and saw.
some wears AGO, and what made it
more impressive was the fact that no
made me pledge secrecy. as he was
in i'll health and his friends feared the
consequences. this was the last timo
| ever spcnt with him of any dura.
ton. and the last physical efforts !
ever knew him to make: nothing could
have more quickly called up his mem.
orv. asked his name, and SiIas
was spelled out to me, the name by
which he was iami!iarIy known. !
asked where he died, and was an-
swcrcI New Orleans, which was the
fact. called for the exercise Of
lhysical force on the table, and it
tmovcd 81 rs to crowd persons back,
and was held down SO as TO require u
strong man to lift it, o: even one side
OF it. Now, this was al done in day.
light, and in the presence of Il number
Of persons, while we were standing
around the table, un Ter circumstances
to render it impossible for any one to
touch it without being detected. |
have as little faith in the evidence of
the senses as any one; and | know
enough Of the physical sciences to
di@provc any attempt to explain these
fats upon such principles. Every
attempt SO far has shown an utter
ignorance Of the phenomena. or
dishonesty Of purpOse--and moreover
know that those who believe in the
spirituality Of these communications
are not all properly called "some.
bpdjcs," and their opinions folly" but
tha: some of the best minds and most
dii.cnt scarchcrs after truth believe
in them; and if have failed to give
wha, will bc deemed "cvidcncc" by
vou. it IS because mine is not the
"pcn OF y ready writer" If you re-
qurc positive evidence you must see
anA hear for yOurScll--no testimony
woui ever have been sufficient TO
satisfy me AMI perhaps Should rot any
o"c. That much connected with this
matter should seem prcpostcrous is
40 evidence against It's prctcnslOns.
aud the much which is said to be- so
appears very dIilcrcnt when YOU sec
or hear it for yourself. {. ID. G.