The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-22
Ex-senator Tallmadge on the Spirit
Rappings."

We copy from the National Intelligent
Ger, of Washington, the following COM
enclosing letter from Ex-
Senator Tallmadge, of N. York, to Ex
Senator Simmons, of Rhode Island, re.
lative to the Spirit Rappings:1
CoLLAMoRE HOUSE, New York,
Messrs. Gales & Seaton-A friend has
just called nv attention to an article in
the National Inteligencer Of the 25th ult.,
headed "Impostures and Delusions." The
article is not under the Editorial head;
still it is not marked as a communication
and was considered by the gentleman
who handed it to me, and would be con-
sidered by the generality Of your readers,
as an editorial. Be this. however as it
NAV, the article is published by you with
out any dissent from its views, and NAV
therefore be taken bv the unnformed as
meeting your appreciation.
The writer alludcs to the Salem Hang
ings," ard says chat there may yet arise,
at future periods, similar or analogous
disorders Of the popular mind, invading
and corrupting the whole body polite,
which it may in like manner become ne
cessary to suppress by the strong hand
OF the law. Indeed, we might point, as
already coming acithin this category, Mt
Rochester Rnockings, NTH their kin.
dred train of frascaiities and abominatins.
A little further on the writer adds: 'In
like manner it is the general opinion oi
well-informed and deep-thinking per
sons that it is already high time to
call in legislative aid, if the execution
Of no existing statutes can reach
the present evil, for this perilous impos-
ture, or yet more perilous contagion Of
morbid minds"
This is sweeping denunciation Of all
who have investigated these spiritual
manifestations" and who have expressed
a belief in their truth And the spirit
which prevades the whole article would
not recall the Salem Hangings,' but
would also invoke the "fres Of Smithfield." >"
| have no hesitation in saying l am one
Coming within this category" And, let
me assure you, there are throughout this
widely-extended country some of the
brightest and most exalted intelects who
have, from thorough investigation Of
this matter come to the same conclusion
Yet such men are to be thus denounced
by.a writer who is so far behind the in.
telligence Of the age that he includes in
his denunciations mesmerism and clair
voyance, which are considered by intel
Ii gent and scientific men as we'll establish
ed as electricity and magnetism. If thi
were all, he would deserve simply to b,
laughed at. But, in regard to spiritual
ism, he probably never condescended I,
examine the subject, and yet assumes tha
he knows more about it by mere instinc
than others Of equal talent, to say tn
least, do by the most patient research an,
philosophical investigation.
This article, am persuaded, has bee,
published by you without full examination
or due reflection. 1t runs counter to a
the principles of "law and order" whic
have been so uniformly enforced
the National Intelligencer. And
regret extremely that such disorganizin.
such abomipable, such Aagitious sent
ments should, even indirectly, have a
influence of your names. I feel myse
az being included in these denunciation
for, although ] do not obtrude my opil
ions or my facts on any one, still ] has
I. communicated iree' y with those who hay,
] voluntarily sought information on this SUI
v !.