Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-25
SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS.


GEsTLEMES The readers Of your journal are again in
debted the author Of the piece entitled Impostures
Delusions for another interesting article in your paper
of Gath May, upon the subject tits qualification
to learn from it that passage in his former communca
ton does not bear the construction put upon it, and still
greater one that he entirely dsavows the opinion object
ed to- astwas not altogether that he would
The cause Of the msconception must have been that
minds were reoccuped the time by the of
things here At the height of the deuson the opinions
of considerable portion of the community divided
to the cause of the prevalent motions of the tables
which were the most prominent and papabe facts in the
matter Some attributed them, and still do to the in
PREVENTION OF disemboded spirits others to newy-dis
covered physical agency Under the supposition
tainy not violent one that he had in view similar
state OF things elsewhere thought he speaking Of
the motions of the tables when he said ait is not our
purpose to inquire at present into the Of this
uson whether it be unaccountable or no. whether is
in all cases mere imposture; whether as is more
probably the case it shall turn out to be natural phe-
nomenon, arising from diseased and highly excited
nervous diathesis &c. and it inferred that he deem
ed of those opinions be probably correct and that
it is probable that the hypothetical agency
ditoned upon morbid and highly excited nervous da-
thesis Although is admitted that there is no fault in
his language, and that it is plain that it referred to
another aspect OF the matter still it is hoped he will
slider the Misrepresentation under the circumstances as
neither very unnatural very nexcusable We tender
to him thanks for his courtesy and for the trouble he
has been at in putting right in the matter. find it
difficult however, to express any regret, and you and
your readers will feel none at error since
indebted for the last communication which, if called
for by the error certainly is by the temper of the times
The object Of my former communication having been
fully attained and the article in your paper of May Oath
ha;n that bo
undue liberty propose further query suggestion
its author and having already expressed my ndspos
ton and doubt of my ability discuss the subject
that will merit obtain public attention,
would here did the article in the paper of May
Goth to require acknowledgment and response
from me.
To your accomplished correspondent who addresses
you from Cambridge desire express my thanks for
his notice of my for what he has advanced
himself and for his reference to works and reports of
eminent philosophers for further information upon the
subject The meager notices casually met with of that
of Reichenback had given such idea of its character
and claims induce to put myself to much trouble
feel much desire procure it, His advice will now
be profted by, and the negligence repaired.
On the subject of legislative interposton he either mis-
apprehends my meaning or inadvertently attributes to
the opinion expressed by another about which, how
ever by no means feel sensitive My opinion comedies
with his own that far this region is concerned it
inexpedent. But what different circumstances may re-
quire in other places will not undertake to judge, as
before stated Erroneous creeds and opinions may
lead to, nculcate such perncious practices as
will require the restraints of laws and penalties much
any other crimes We need not go far India and
adduce the of the Thugs for instances home
and more nearly touching have been referred to for il
lustration. Judging from the picture of Spiritual Mani
festaons which has been painted for there would be
nothing surprising if the votares should invent
crimes have not yet been provided for in the statute
L res
my purpose.
The very positive and decided manner in which my
opinion was expressed without the reason for it being
signed may possibly lead to misconceptions though there
ground for supposing there have been any, upon
certain points, against which wish to guard. win
therefore state what ought to- and probably would be
taken for granted.
do not believe that all the laws of known agents
yet discovered that oil the agents operating in nature
yet ascertaned, and do earnestly desire that all
searches tending to bring them light may be udciousy
vigorously and successfully prosecuted And the results
of such researches within the past century give album
dant ground to anticipate that future ones viii not
vain To assert Dramatically that no particle Of proof
exists touching point which has been pronounced
20 bc established probable, by philosophers
whose labors and success have earned for them just
title to gratitude and Difference from the world would be
in the height of arrogance. should be sorry gno
rantly inadvertently, and certaisly would know
ngly subject myselfto such charge
Before seeing your correspondents communication it
supposed that who gives clear evidence of
research upon the subject entities his opinions de-
ference would pronounce the manifestations reality
by which is meant that the prevalent table tippngs
are the effect Of new motvepower, Of hitherto
known agent either natural supernatural Otherwise
my language though not my opinions might possibly have
been less positive and decided But it is intimated,
that competent authority has not yet taken cognzance of
investigate and pronounced upon the matter in hand,
may without charge Of presumption, be permitted to
press the opinions arrived at from the examination of
facts which have fallen under my observation, and
from some scrutiny Of the testimony which has to
my knowledge.
have been reminded and desire to show that the lesson
and example notos upon me- of the caution
ry to avoid even appearing fix the limits Of the possible
And having made negative affirmation, upon the point
which differ from your correspondent desire all the
benefit of the limitations which plainly expressed
or are plainly and fairly nerrble The assertion that the
"table ppngs" have not particle Of proof that they
are produced by either of the agencies alleged by be-
levers will if the connexion be examined, be found
mean from the performances Of adopts here, else
where and from those of hem and they numerous
which fell under my observation And have the
admission Of believers that they generally of the
character those which witnessed. And after
full re examination which has delayed this response in
consequence of the communication from Cambridge,
renea the assertion AS from the nature of the ques-
ton the arguments upon it, to be Of any force, be
based observation and experiment those which
made will pres nty be stated that it may be judged how
far my assertion is warranted by the facts. y -
1t will be qualification to your correspondent from
Cambridge which Fam very happy to be able to afford
him. that the believers in supernatural agents the eff
cient of the tppings always very small mi
noriy Of the believers here in the reality Of the manfes
tatiuns and that their number has diminished has
that also of those of the other opinion But il is amcn
table to add that in their small number and adherng
firmly in faith and practice to the spirit manifesto
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