Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-07-02
POSTSCRIPT.

POSTSCRIPT.
SIessrs EpIToRs Since writing the above my attention
has been called article in the Intelgencer Of the
Gath instant headed 'sSpiritua Manifestations, which,
in the multiplicity of business avocations entirely
looked The writer it seems is the author of the article
TO which alluded in my first communication, and which
assumed could not have been written by you.
As then remarked, have in this in all other mat
tiers since retired from public e endeayored to avoid
public observation have had any desire to en-
gage in public discussion of this mysterious subject
have been willing that all shall enjoy their opinions
and express them in any proper most agreeable
to themselves. And never should have troubled the
public with any remarks of mine but for the atroeous doc
rnes put forth by this writer and his unmeaqred and
vindctive denuncatons of all engaged in the nyesga
ton of the subject When such sentiments promu
gated through your widely Journal with the APP
parent sanction of your names thought it due to myself
to enter my solemn protest against them And to vind
cate myself from the aspersons Of this writer requested
you to publish my letter to the Hon. JAMES f. SIMMONS,
containing my views this subject letter written in
the confidence of private friendship and couched in the
mildes and most charitable language towards all who
differed with me in opinion do not object to any argu
ment which this writer any other gentleman may
fit to put forth this subject For aught care, he may
have the whole field of argument to himself have
wish to proselyze. But will not stand by and amely
submit TO the Wholesale denuncations of this writer and
low and vulgar epithes of Others because have
fit to exercise the right guaranteed by the constitution
under which live Of investigating entertaining and
expressing in proper manner any opinions please
political religious, any other subjects. And when this
writer threatens to invoke Legislative enactmen and
CATION Of this matter beg leave say him, in all
dor and sincerity If he could be gratifed in this christian
aspiration, he will have kinded flame throughout this
land Of civil and religious freedom which will consume
every yesge Of bgoty and intolerance by which he is
surrounded.
The writer says grossly misrepresented" him when
| attributed to him a spirit which would /" invoke the
Salem hangings and the fires of Smtbfeld." am glad
TO learn that he enertans such spirit But let
how far my remark justified by his language. lie
says it has been effectively urged by luminous scen
useless and ilegitmate punshments for crime-more
particularly for crime which did exist, communion
ton with the demonthy might hare been necessary in
order to cut short the growth off horrible and
species Of monomana and that there may yet arise
future periods, similar and analogous disorders of the
popular mind invading and corruptng the whole body
polite, which it may IA like become necessary TO
suppress by the strong hand of the law. Indeed,
might point already coming Tit1 this category, The
Rochester kRockgs with their kindred train Of rascaes
and abominatons have made the above quotation TO
show that am not obnoxious to the charge of gross mis-
representation If the "Salem hangings might have
been necessary" if it might in like manner become
cessay to suppress by the strong hand Of the law SINH
lar or analogous disorders Of the popular mind, and if
the Rochester knockngs pointed by the writer
" as already coming within this category" say no log
cal mind can come other conclusion than that the
writer was IN favor Of suppressng by law, like
neT these disorders they suppressed at Salem
namely, by hdngngsr But be says he did not so in
tend to be understood that only meant that they should
be suppressed by Legislative enactments "under the
heaviest penalties"
Having thus INDICATED myself the charge Of gross
misrepresentation cheerfuy leave the writer declare
his own intentions as TO what he did And although
he still intends TO intct poor investigators the
heaviest penalties Of the law still we shall feel under
great obligation to him. and shall breathe easier and freer
when we are assured that the halter does come within
this category Of penalties.
And now, Messrs. Editors IL we're disposed TO retail
ate the charge Of gross Misrepresentation" could do
so with perfect proprety and with the strictes justice
But will not do IT, will leave your readers TO Judge of
! of he affe half have
stated the facts and pointed their attention to them
writer who IS under the necessity of resorting such
means 70 sustain bis toterng argument really exctes my
compassion. IL is more in than in anger"
therefore, that allude to it all He says for nv as
seron that the effect Of these things was to sbvert the
authority Of the Bible and annul sect or sects but
christianity ITSELF have virtually Mr. Talmadges and
his friend Mr. Simmonss authority in the words tall
cscd in the letter Of the latter gentleman" lie then gives
garbd extract from my letter. leaving one whoe line
which goes TO strengthen and give point and qnfcancv
to the whole and then adds his comments which per
the entire meaning Of the sentence and vet claims
that he has virtually my authority for his comments
and his conclusion which charges with crank BIAS
phemyi"
will now introduce the sentence as 1t originally an
peard in my letter, not garbed evscerated by this
writer, and your readers will then judge of my opinions
on this subject. remarked From the Investigation
have given the subject agree with the Rev. Adm Bal
lou who has written the most candid satisfactory ~
panaon have seen, that whatever Of divine fundamen-
tai principle absolute truth, and essential righteousness
there is in the Bible, The popular rg5n and IN me &C.
tqJishod churches, will stand Ii cannot be done awav
On the contrary, will be corroborated and fulfilled bv
spirit manifestation The words in italics are omitted
by this writer in the quotation Of this extract The
goes show that the Bible not only will stand
but that the popular religion and the established
churches founded the divine fundamental nrinoi
pie, absolute truth and essential righteousness 81 the
Bible will stand also. And that will be corroborated
and fulfilled by spirit manifestations And vet this writer
has the modesty 70 assert that this all means that what
the Bible isnot confirmed by spirit IL
not the truth and Of course the whole Bible authority