The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-03-04

For the Belmont Chronicle.
COUNTY COMMIssIONERssss. AMI
NAL MAGNETISM,
Mr.. HowARD:-It is known to few cit
iZens that unsuccessful efforts have beer
made in the past few months to procure the
Court House for the purpose of course o.
lectures on the science of Animal Magnetism
But the Commissioners have determined that
it shall not be occupied for any such purpose
and of course the Sheriff dare not transcend
his instructions.
am well aware that difference of opinion
exists as to the facts, philosophy and utility
of this science, but l am not aware that it il
Just in the Commissioners to condemn any
{ pew thing, especially: they are not acquant.
"a with the thing condemned. 1t is well
known that the Court House is easy of access
to almost every thing else, decent and vulgar
solemn and ridiculous, grand and light, polti-
cal, religious and profane on one condition
to writ: that the house shall be left in good
order; and it is doubtful whethertk tk;secndition
is faithfully complied with at all times. Re-
sponsible persons have been willing to obi
gate themselves that the house should be left
in good condition if granted for this purpose;
but they peremptorily refused. 1t is not out
of place to say here, that only short time
ago, an exhibition took place there SO vulgar
that the ladies were insulted and left the
house.
/ am satisfied that the objections to Ami
NAL Magnetism are founded in ignorance of
the subject, and therefore are not valid. At
this time thousands of intelligent and scien-
tific men not only believe its facts and utility,
but are looking with deep interest to the de-
velopment of its philosophy and its applica-
ton to useful purposes. It's facts are no long
er disputed by sensible men who have taken
the pains to inform themselves. And why
the citizens of St. Clairsvile, should be SO
arbitrarily and unjustly depriyed-lefv tie facil-
tiles usually afforded in other places has not
been satisfactorily set forth. Certainly they
are as competent to care for themselves as the
citizens of Wheeling, Steubenvile or any
other place. Those who are not interested,
need not attend, and those who 60 for decep-
ton, had better stay away, and those who de-
sire to know all that can be known, should
have the privilege.
am aware that much prejudice exists in
the community, and that those who have
heretofore attempted demonstrations have
been denied fair hearing, and one of them
shamefully abused, while persons were found
who did not hesitate to stoop to practice fraud
in order to redicule the science. Il may be
said that those persons were incompetent
and irresponsible. Admitted if you please
Is this any reason why they should no. have
justice! But it does not follow that all others
are of the sume character. And because some
men, pulled up with little brief authority,
have prematurely decided this question are
those who differ from them to be forever pro-
scribed, and denied the common privileges
now enjoyed by their fellow citizens!
If there is any truth or good in the science,
It must be by divine appointment, and if by
divine appointment, pertaining as it does to
man, soul and body, it is not only privilege
but duty to investigate it. That the Com
missioners have right to decide for them
selves none will deny, but their attempt to
suppress the agitation of this subject by 9TH
ers, partakes little of the inquisitional, and
seems somewhat out of place. There would
be just as much propriety in prohibiting
Calvinism, Baptism, Whiggery or
Democracy, mere matters of opinion, as there
IS in prohibiting Magnetism. Indeed there
would be more propriety for these sects and
parties are already in possession of the means
to accommodate themselves. >Things have
come to pretty pass in the 10Th century,
as it is at this time by the most
discoveries and inventions contra
dieting all former experience, or rather trans
cending it, when great natural science, be-
lieved and taught as true and useful by many
Of the most learned men in Europe and A.
merica, is denied the privilege of a fair open
and manly hearing in Belmont County, Ohio,
in the place commonly occupied for all public
purposes, and where many things, thousand
lines less useful have been freely presented,
all because two or three County officers have
ex parte, that this science is not |
proper ne to come before the people. The
injustice, unreasonableness, and imprudence |
Of this course are not only highly censurable
1ut too apparent to require much comment.
It is equal to prescribing what men shall see,
hear and believe; prerogative they would be
very unwilling to have exercised in their own
cases. -
know that the tendency of the science is
urged against its demonstration. This is only
done by the ignorant and fearful. If it is
true God is its author; he is responsible for its
tendency, and ,ue for its abuse. Natural scen-
ces tend always to wisdom and goodnessI their
pervision produces opposite results.
1t may be urged that persons will behave
rudely; admitted. This indicates bad train
ing, loose habits, bad examples, and the need
of better police regulations. In this land of
liberty, where religious intolerance and des-