Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-13
TO THE EDITORS.
WAsHIsoToS, AUGUST 6, 1853.

EXCHANGE HOTEL, RICHMOND, AuGUsT 4, 1853
GENTLEMEN / do not intend or desire in this commu-
ncation revive the discussion of the much-mooted
question what cause or causes induce the socaed Spi
ritual Manifestations This does not fall within my pro-
vince at this time and doubt whether it viii again on
any future occasion. write this communication, how
ever because think it due to your Tallahassee
pondent acknowledge the obligations am under to him
for the very courteous in which he dealt with
former communication written from Cambridge and al
SO to return my thanks to yourselves for the very truth
full correction you made with regard to my statements
concerning NJ Arago and the of the girl Angeque,
which l should have taken earlier opportunity OF
doing had circumstances been such as to prevent il
for have been for time past whrled about 50 much
on railroad cars and other modes of travel that have
hardly been able until now to collect my IDEAS
Of may so speak) to collect my corporeal entity
At the time made the statement did with regard to
NJ Arago thought that correctly informed on the
subject, Notwithstanding | knew that my information
through secondhand authority; but on more &C
curae acquaintance with the attendant circumstances
which led to make by your editorial remarks find
that my information was incorrect and that you have
yourselves given the true history of the girl Angeque
and Of the proceedings of the Academy.
Your very intelligent and candid correspondent Of Tai
ahassee seems to think that failed to sustain my argu-
ment in my previous communication. Now, what was
the purpose Of the argument 1t to prove the evo-
luton Of uonue power in the table tipping and rap
ping experiments, it not? No; not exactly was
merely suggestive Of the existence Of such cause until
another and probable could be asceraned to De
the Now the time Of writing the previous COM
munication had myself formed one Of circle Of
rappers have done SINCE and from my own expert
fully satisfied that it is your corresron-
dent has sa and has been demonstrated by the
ingenious experiments Of Professor Fsraday. But by
acknowledging this do not believe me discard the idea
Of the existence Of physical power BY no means
merely acknowledge that whereas before believed
such power to be evolved in the spiritual manifestations
now believe that such power moi erOced But as
to the existence Of such power hardly think there
be rational doubt the minds Of those who will be 50
curious to examine the researches Of eminent phioso
pliers upon the subject However need not enter up
discussion Of the merits Of that question MOI
was il my intention to do in my first communication
since too field would have spread itself out imme
dately before only endeavored to throw out few
hints which might lead the investigating mind
into close communion with the throbbings and
deep pulsations Of the natural universe felt sorey
grievcd that my counrymen and fellow were
so befooled desert their God and their reason to
run stark mad and bedght in the paraphernaa Of fools
after the wild rawlings Of fanatcism; and thought to
use whatever influence my feeble efforts might avail to
stop them in their mad course and to their distract
ed gaze from the igai fa and fitting uncertain marsh
lights Of superstition to the eternal and ever
radiance Of heaven The thought Of beholdng the noble
structure Of the human intellect made the receptacle
all the foul inhabitants Of the nehermost world smote
me about the heart with the chllness of the grave.
could not bear it. Especially did my heart tbrob with
intensest misery when | looked upon my own sunny
southern home, with its many brave hearts ard happy
hearthstopes and behed this monster Of ufatuation
stretching out its skeleton nnl ratiug its dry bones
above the beautiful everglades and breed savanuas
stslwart oaks which begirt the mountoin-tops But
hope now for better things Since science condescend
ed to examine into this modern delusion hope there will
follow results highly beneficial to mankind. Yet can