New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-10
The SPIRITS AND GRAND JURIEs
To N, Editor of The ~ u Tribune:

To the Editor Of The ". \. Tribune;
In this mornings Tribune | notice a de-
tailed account OF the DEATH by suicide. of Matthew
Lsngdon the verdict of the jury also their
recommendation that the Grand Jury take to sup
press circles mentioned by the witnesses in that case
Now from the names attached to that verdict, have
no doubt Of their profound legal knowledge, and nel
gcnce upon the subject which they recommend ac-
tion The places named were by means all the cir
ces which the unfortunate had attended in this
City. Why should the more distinguished men, at
whose houses circles have been held be passed by and
the comparatively Obscure individuals mentioned as
peculiarly obnoxiousl VIVA. means do they propose
the Grand Jury shall take suppress these cir
clesY" I apprehend that such Jures will need pirtc
ular instruction on this point the invasion Of private
houses Is rather delicate matter, without some evi.
dence Of crminality. Tie attempt is made in this
case 10 connect the persons called mediums at these
circles nav the whole circles, with some degree OF
crminaty for the effect OF certain phenomena on this
mans mind. producing monomania The testimony
of the wife discoses the fact that about months
since the deceased lost daughter. which affected him
very much and all the testimony shows that his was an
melting OF monomGnia behind or beyond the cir
cles DR. Elliott says also that the stated that he
had frequently been subject MS Of dependency dor
how long he did state and tempted 70 take his
life Ii the Jury had investigated sill further back
they might have discovered an melting cause 10 nervous
rrifability before modern Spirtuaisn was known.
Such wise Juies 10 not seem where this prece-
dent is leading them Love has made and women
pononomonac and suicides Shall Grand Jures there
fore, suppress" ell meetings OF loyetsi ! am ac'
cuanted with where man, from reading the
bible became impre sed with the iea that he had gin
ned away the day of gTace" and became raving mani
&C Shall Grand Jurles be IN .truced to collect and
lurp al Biblesi You doubtless remember the case Of
awomsn in Pennsylvania Jew years since. who ron
"A Attendance a PrOfrscfad Mep-luu.
same idea and foT fear her children would DO sO killed
three OF them and then committed suicide. Shall pro
rrscted meetings and preaching, therefore, be sup
pressed Our Insane Asylum reports Arrays have a
number put down caused by Religious Excite
ment' shall Religion, therefore, be abrogsied Inc
study OF the sciences Of new Inventions, &". nae
made made many monomanac, shall not our Junes
be called upon 70 suppress" all the sciences, what
ever the OF insanity or, In this case mono
mania II mistake not, this Is not the 1rst exhibition
of that peculiar organization in The deceased that BE-
comes unbalanced at the least excitement
IN regard 20 the phenomena called spiritual, am
well sListed that many OF the grotque gestculAtOns
muttering and ridiculous movements which are cal,rd
a. sprual more such than they are the effects
of the wind that blows They are. many times the ei-
feet Of ssfbioOgy often running 10 fanstclsn RAM
ing and monomOnia, from which he true sp,rituais'
turns with disgust and regret Bat these things are a.
rays exhibited by perronS who have been tenltng 70
tsnatcim and generally have previously, IN some de-
cree, been religious nloICmAulscs.
The writer OF this has been in the constant habit Of
meeting circles ana reading papers hot Oniy iof ,7n
months but for Eve years and while he has no ihea
OF gong Up 70 reach the sublme fog q the H01na y
Cor .JssracL he does no. expect 20 descend 70 uf
CororeTs Jury Grand Jury, for protection sgalnst
thatsnatcrn which the constant attendant OF certain
tempersmeuts and organizations. T. w. T.
since writing the above, have received satisfsctory
evidence that the unfortunate above no.ced nad
for many years been subject exhibitions OF monoa-
us and that he hnsef declared ne bad been an inmate
OF the AlrsHouse. II seems 10 have been hereditary
with him. 20 much for the cause Of insanity.
Nru- fsrt Jss- 8 ls53 e.
rR We have known the deceased LanSdon us
Christian name was no, NJhsr but NIrrta) Tor more
than twenty years He was an honest moral man. pa'
unfortunately organized always in want and had been
subject to fts Of dependency from his youth he was
undoubtedly insane when be laid hands upon Himself
We understand TIA, be Mlerite some years ago
and we have long regarded MIN ss predisPosea 70
spiritual exe,emen, Of any hind
MARTIN LASGDos-s sUIcIDE-sTATEkfSI Or FA''0
To The Editor e( TAe n. Y. Tribune:
In the City papers of this morning ana even
Ing observe a report of COrOneri Inquest On 'As
body Of Martin Langdon, which Is calculated 70 inAAe
very erroneous impression the minds Oh 'no'e IN
| ACQUAINTED with this person As have Known nin'