Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-07
TO THE EDITORS.

attention to article in the National gencer Of the
18th instant headed Impostures and Decisions. The
article is not under the Editorial head still it is not
marked as communication, and considered by the
gentleman who handed it me- and would be considered
by the generality your readers editorial Be this
however, may the article is published by you with
ont any dissent from its views and may therefore be
taken by the uniformed as meeting your appreciation
The writer aludes to the ''Saem hangings," and says
that there may yet arise, future periods similar
analogous disorders of the popular mind invading and
corrupng the whole body polite, which it may in like
become necessary suppress BY the strong hand
Of tss !aw. Indeed might point already coming 'ia
zh category, the Rochester knockngs Eh their kindred
zreia Of rdscalities and Nominations
little further the writer adds " In like it
is the general opinion of wenformed and eepthnkng
persons that is already high time to call in legislative
aid the execution of existing statutes reach the
present evil, for this perilous mposure, or yet more
perilous contagion of morbid minds"
This is sweeping denunciaton of all who have inyes-
tigated these spiritual manifestations, and who have
expressed belief in their truth And the spirit which
peryades the whole article would only recall the
Salem hangings" but would also invoke the fires of
Sm.thhed.' | have hesitation in saying am one
coming within this category" And, let me assure you
there throughout this widelyextended country some
Of the brightest and most exalted nteects who have
from thorough investigation of this matter come to the
conclusion Yet such men be thus denounced
by writer who is far behind the intelligence of the
age that he includes in his denuncations mesmerism
and cairvoyanee which considered by intelligent and
scientific men as well established electricity and
magnetism If this all he would deserve simply to
De laughed But, in regard to spritualism he pro-
baby condescended to examine the subject and
yet that he knows about by mere instinct
than others Of equal talent say the least DO by the
most patient research and philosophical investigation
This article am persuaded, has been published by
yOu without full examination due reflection 1t runs
counter to all the principles Of law and order which
have been uniformly enforced in the National ntel
gencer And regret extremely that such dsorganizng
such aboina5e such fagitous sentiments should even
indirectly, have the influence of your names feel my
self as being included in these denunciatons for
although do not obtrude my opinions my facts on
any one, still have communicated freely with those who
have voluntarily sought information this subject
During the last winter Washington conferred fully
and their solicitation with Of the most dis
tinguished men in the nation gave to them my own
opinions and the exalted communications and facts on
which those opinions founded.
Retired from public fe have desired in this as in all
ether matters avoid public observation. At the same
time, you have been acquainted with me well enough and
long enough to know that, when have deliberately
formed opinion any subject have that quail
y, called moral courage which enables me to ayow
either in private or in public
30 far as the public concerned have as yet en-
deavered to maintain profound silence But consider
ing myself Of those yindictvey denounced in
the article alluded to, further silence my part would
argue pusillanimty, and to be virtue. have
language express my establishment at the sugges-
tons and doctrines there put forthdoctrnes which SUBJ
vert the very principles Of civil and religious freedom
guaranteed by the Constitution under which ye live
Who could have conceived that this advanced period
Of the nineteenth century whilst we are surrounded by
the multiplied eydsrces Of the rapid progress in science
and the arts should witness such evidences Of bgotry
and superstition and such retrogression towards the
''Cmeran darkness" which spread like pail the
ancient world? If there was q monomania any
subject it is on the part Of those who have without
knowledge or investigation denounced madly these
spiritual manifestations" find no fault with those
who do not believe in them but cannot withhold an
expression Of my surprise that intelligent minds be
found 70 denounce those who do investigate them
TO indicate myself therefore from these sspersons
enclose you copy Of letter which wrote early last
January to the Hon JAMES F. SIMMONS, former United
States Senator from Rhode Island The letter writ
ten in the confidence Of private friendship and not in
tended FOR the public eye Such as 1t is however send
il to you, and ask act Of justice, that you will
publish il, together with this letter in the National
Intelligencer
You need not be told who JANIS F. SIMMONS is He
occupied seat for several years with in the Senate
Of the United States and amongst all the members Of
that body you did not number better friends We
we're both deemed capable that time Of examining a-
tisfactory any question Of finance Of political eco
Monty, on which might be engaged ButnOw, because
we have thoroughly investigated these spiritual mani
festations" and believe in their truth, included
in the general and Judge EDNoSDs in the particular, de
nuncstons Of this writer have given the character
Jndge Edmonds in my letter to Mr.. Simmons; and vii
only add here in reference TO the retaed SANDER
sneerng remark Of the writer in regard to his decisions
that as Judge, he untes the qualities Of two Of tn
brightest luinaries Of the English bench namely, tn
profundty Of Bacon with the intuition Of Mansfield.
Very respectfully, yours, n. p TALLMADGE.
LETTER TO Mr.. SIMMONS, (,Bovr ALLUDED roy
wAsH1SGrox JANUARY 10, 1863.
Ny DEAR Sir: was pleased to see in the Januar
number Of Punam's Monthly" a statement Of your ex
ner3epce in spiritual manifestations" In CONVEX
ton at Washington, during the last session Of Congress
YOU had stated the same to me.
NV experience is, probably, more limited than yours
Int yours has served in measure 70 strengthen tn
imnressions made on my mind by the investigation
have given to this mysterious subject.
had heard for long time Of the Rochester knock
i.os hut had paid heed 10 them on the contrary
ia considered them a delusion which would sool
nass away | continued under these impressions Ill
some time last spring, when my attention was called to