Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-14
TO TIE EDITORS.

VI
baton of its object and Of most Of its views? At the same
time permit to earnest protest against one
two unguarded expressions in it, which at this Juno
ure, and coming from such source, of very hurt
full tendency and which, after reflection the author may
perhaps be willing to modify and correct.
To account for what in the cant language of the day.
designated spritual manifestations prevalent
locomoton rapping, and tipping Of tableshe seems to
admit that there does probably exist in power or
agency to certain inanmate bodies with which he
is in contact without the exerton Of muscular force or
of any other hitherto known power. Although the ad-
mission is not in the precise form in which have ex-
pressed it, such is the construction put upon his Ian
guage and he is known to be understood by others
Now am willing and ready to assent to the existence
of this any other conceivable power which the most
fertile fancy imagine, provided adequate proof of its
reality is adduced If the author has witnessed any phe
nomenon which requires such admission, which does
not admit of of which he cannot give more
plausible and rational solution, then have DONE and
have nothing further say the subject except to
press the desire that he will communicate to the world
the wonderful instances fromHwhch he deduces this
probability.
cannot but think, however, that he has such
instances and that he has been betrayed into hazardng
the opinion by his Difference the testimony of some
friend particularly well qualified investigate phys
Wish jugglers, deceived by deuied mediums and
operators But nothing short Of indisputable and tho
roughly investigated facts authorize the opinion that
such power exists. That il should be advanced by
writer who lie ignorant Of the caution requisite for
all successful philosophical investigation who plainly is
accustomed take views of things is versed
in the history of past decisions and is competent
pare with them existing errors surely is greatly be
deplored
did indulge the hope that those pestent;al and de-
mcrazng impostures and decisions which have peryad
ed the Northern States would reach this secluded
region, and that here they could not live and spread
This hope has baen disappointed ysiters to your
and the more northern cities have imported and commu-
ncaed the Infection and the accounts they have brought
home the wonders they have witnessed and thousand
strange tales ha, scattered through the land have
at length stimulated the wonder and curiosity Of the
community to such pitch that it is ndustrously
engaged in discussing and endeavorng reproduce here
the pretended manifestations.
believe onehalf Of people, and not the least in
tegent half have contracted the dseae in one form or
another and have become to the new opinions
They believe either that there exists in hitherto
known faculty, which discovered the renity
and efficacy Of necromantc arts, compared with which
the power pretended to by ancient insig
nfcant Indeed the ancient professors haze been
machinery since modern adopts without th9ir long
and painful rites their cabaisc tongues or even the
mysterious and potent word graved the seal Of Solo
mon, subject the spirits simply by invocation in the
vernacular.
After repeatedly Witnessing the performances Of adopts
here and carefully sitting the testimony the conclusion
inevitable that there is little ground for prefer
between the two opinions and that there is about
the amount Of proof Of the validity Of the Of the
other that is there is not particle Of proof Of either
But must confess that my establishment could scarcely
have been greater had either Of the opinions been ndub
tably established than it is at discovering the unlimited
capacity Of man for sefdelusion and the extent which
the shameless efrontery of impostors may be carried
or the two sects Of new lights, that which holds to
the electric theory what pity
it is that have not Carlyle to coin their names and
which the gentlemen Of the robe adhere who prove the
most expert operators and profess to be above oil
and vulgar superstition, and to know what is and
what is not evidence speaks somewhat irreverenty Of
the ghosts and their coaijutors. Though not easily
posed it puzzles them to dispose of the supernatural
Violations which transpre here under the manipuatons
Of the spirituasts and to show the difference Of the
grounds on which their claims to credbility and
those Of their motive power. The spirtualists
the other hand question the acompelling power Of
the energetic wills of the lawyers and barely hint
plclOn Of Intervention OF slight
fractions Those Of who cassed with neither Of
these sects set down little better than Sadducees
that what think Of oil these doings be Of no
sort Of consequence
did intend to make remarks upon the subject Of
introducing the demoniaca possessions spoken OF in the
New Testament and with regard to the propriey Of le
gislative interposton but observer here may pro-
badly not be qualified to judge Whit may or may not be-
expedien in other places, where the evil has attained
more gigantic proportions.
have no intention to discuss the folles and wicked
Of the day. for which feel myself incompetent and
therefore gladly leave thea to be deals with by the w
ter Of " Impostures and Decisions"
In conclusion, If have misconstrred him, beg that
he viii express himself explicitly and am BY no
means inclined insist that the construction put upon
the passage objected is egtmase and win be glad to
learn that is not But others understand him 80 do
II have msconstrued him would ask most respect
fully that he will reconsider tho opinion he has advanced
pas oha ma Mt II.