Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-04-05
Gbr Dailp Uirainian
From the Charleston Standard
Gov. TaImadge and the Splits.


~oman, or juggler, or mountebank, but-a Cor.
ernOr and Senator" 1t is well that he should
be thus careful, otherwise some incredulous
people, after seeing Col Perry story, might
have been IN great error as to the Governor $
claims In this respect. And even now, there
may be room for measurable cavl inasmuch
as the only proof ofthe narrator being neith-
er an cold woman nor "a jugger,' consists
IN his having been Governor and Senator.
and it may well be doubted whether either
or both these stations constitute complete
defence against the charge which unbelievers
will be sure to prefer in this case. Nor are
we sure that the other accompaniments of the
story will be irresstibly convincing to every
one We see that Col. Perry himself though
-e even believes DIR. Gardiner to be an inno-
cent and an honest man, yet doubts the insp-
ration of these ''post m0rtem,' revelations. The
following is extract from his letter:
Last night went. in company With Gen.
Thompson and Mr.. Colcock, to Gov. Tai
madges room. to see and hear the wonders of
spiritual rapplngs, writing mediums, and speak
ing mediums. Mr.. Atcbison, PresidenI OF the
Senate. Mr. JenniGrr, former Minister TO Aus.
trla, and Gov. Hamilton were there, also for
the same purpose. Gov. Talmadge has been
a Senator from New York. and Governor of
Wisconsin. He is gentleman of high char
acter, great requirements and talents. lie was
intimate with Mr.. Calhoun " hist in the SEN
ate. He is good looking gentleman. with a
large head, full face stout person and about
the ordinary height. He was distinguished
for good practical hard sense and great labor
and investigation. So much for the Govern
or's character. Nowsfor his narrative and ex-
pcrence in these occult sciences and spirit-rap.
pings. will give it as he gave it to me and
the other gentlemen above named Remem
Der who they were listening to these astound
ing revelations. The President Of the United
States Senate, an x.Governor of South Caro-
lima, an ex-Minister to Austria, an ex Minister
to Mexico, member of Congress and my hum
BILE self. The narrator was no old woman, or
luggler, or montebank, but Governor and
Senator.
Gov. Talmadge said he had heard Of these
rappers and laughed at them as every body
else did for great while. One day he saw
it stated in the New York Herald that Judge
Edmonds was a believer, and assisting in
experiments. This startled him. He knew
Judge Edmonds to be one of the purest,
best and most able men he had ever been asso-
ciated with. lfsuch man could be imposed
on, he desired to seethe impostor, Consequent
ly he went to Mrs. Fish's, in New York.
There were four or five persons in the roolh.
lie knew none OF then, and none ofthem knew
him. Whilst seated at the table, spirit rap
ped and said, "My old friend, wish to COM
municate with you-I am John C. Calhoun"
he company said, is there any one amongst
US who knew Mr.. Calhoun" Gov Talmadge
replied he did. The spirit was then asked If
the message was to him, and the response was,
"Yes," Gov. Talmadge then asked Mr.. Cal
houn if he still believed in nulhfcation and
succession. He seid, Yes" Here Gov.
Hamilton remarked to US in an under tone, Il
am glad Calhoun sticks to his princi Piles in the
world of spirits') But" said Mr.. Calhoun
"my notions of public policy have undergone
some change" From this time Gov. Tai.
madge became constant visitor to Mrs. Fish,
and has volume Of manuscripts which he read
TO US, containing communications of the most
extraordinary character from Calhoun, Web
ster and others These manuscripts the Gov
ernor intends publishing.
Next, the Governo informed US Of his 60
ing to speaking medium-a woman-igno-
rant and uneducated. who possessed the pow
er of Withdrawing her own spirit from her bo-
y,and permitting her clay tenementto be occu
pied by Calhoun, Webster, Gov. Ialmadge's
mother, uncle, and others. The first commu.
nication he received from this source, was
his mother. She spoke fifteen or twenty min
utes and her communication was taken down
in short hand by Judge Edmons, and this al.
so was read to US. In the same way, and
through the same medium of this old woman,
Mr. Calhoun addressed Gov. Talmedge, and
Judge Edmondson took down his speech,
which was also read to US. Mr.. Calhoun
commenced by saying, "This is a novel posi-
ton for me to occupy" (he body of an old
woman,) and l thought SO too. Whilstspeak
ing this lady had all the manner and gesture
of Mr.. Calhoun, with his philosophical con-
densation ofthought. My impression was that
the language was entirely too fguratlve and
skeptcal for Mr.. Calhoun. But General
Hamilton remarked, that he was now speak
ing from the world ofspirits, which might ve-
ry naturally affect his style, and Undue it with
imagery, &c.
Lastly, Gov. Talmadge told us of the writ
ing medium-a young man who holds per
l.. -, bo,J ~ apy eort of ,pay and the SDifiI