The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-01

The spizityI.lists IN Coagrsss-proere.r ar
tho Now Rsligisa,
| IMMORTAL
rome Honorable the Members Of the Senate and
Rouse q Representatives. Of the Uaitsd States. n
congress assembled:
Your memorialsts citizens Of the republic ~ tho
Unlted States Of America, most respectfully beg
esve 70 represent before your honorable BODY thai
certain physical and mental phenomena, OF question
aDie origin and mysterious import have OF late oc-
CURED in this country, and in almost all paris " Eu-
and that the same are now 30 prevalent, espec
any In the Northern, Middle and Western sessions
OF the Union, as TO engross large share Of the pub
Lie attention. The peculiar nature of the subject to
which the memoraliss desire to solicit the attention
Of your honorable body may be inferred from par
uai analysis OF It's phenomenal aspects, which are
mperectly comprehended in the following brief gen.
!. An occult force exhibited in sliding, raising,
arIestiDg, holding, suspendng, and otherwise dis
direct opposition to the acknowledged laws Of mat
Ter, and altogether transcending the accredited
powers OF the human minds manifested to thou
sands OF intelligent and discriminating persons while
the satisfaction Of the public, either the primary or
proximste causes of these phenomens.
2 Lights Of various forms and colors and Of differ
e1t degrees Of intensity, appear in dark rooms,
where no substances exist which are liable to de-
ton, and in the absence Of all the means and instru-
ments whereby electricity is generated or combus-
ton produced.
8. Another phase Of the phenomena which we de-
sire TO bring 70 the notice Of your august body Is
extremely frequent in their occurrence. widely d.
versied In their character, and more or less sig
niicant in their import These consist in part Of
indicate tie presence ff Of an Invisible 0 intel
liRence; sounds, such as arc occssioned by
the prosecution Ct several mechanical and other
resemble the h0aIse voices Of the winds ana waves
with which occasionally harsh, creaking sounds are
mingled, similar to those produced by the masts and
rigging Of ship while It Is laboring In rough sea-
AT times powerful conclusions occur mot unlike ala:
tant thunder or the discharge Of artillery, accompa-
MED by an 0scillatory movement of surrounding OBJ
ects and in some instances by vibratory or tremu
lous motion of the floor Of the apartment or 1t may
be, OF the whole house wherein the phenomena oc-
cur On other occasions harmonic sounds are heard,
as Of human voices, but more frequently resembling
which those of the fe drum, trumpet guitar, harp,
and piano, have been mysterously and successfully
represented both with and without the instruments
and in either case without any apparent human or
other visible agency. These phenomena appear to
depend, so far as regards the process Of their pro
duction the acknowledged principles Of acoustics.
There is obviously disturbance OF the sensational
medium of the auditory nerves. occasioned by an un
dulatory movement OF the air. though by what means
these atmospheric fluctuations produced does not
appear to the satisfaction Of acute observers.
4. All the functions OF the human body and mind
are often and strangely influenced in what appear to
be certain abnormal states Of the system, and by
causes which are neither adequately defined nor I'M.
dersto3d. The invisible power frequently interrupts
what we are accustomed to 6en0minate the normal
operation Of the faculties suspending sensation and
the capacity for voluntary motion, checking the cir
perature of the limbs and portions Of the body to
deathlike coldness and ngidity. Indeed, in some
instances. respiration is entirely suspended for
seascnt may be for hours OF days togetherafer
body are fully restored. It is, moreover, con-
dently asserted that these phenomena have been
ceeded, in numerous cases BY permanent mental and
physical arrangement, and it is % positively affirm.
ed and believed that many persons who were suffer-
ing from organic defects, or from proracted and ap
parently incurable diseases have been suddenly re-
eved and entirely renovated by the same mysterious
agency.
It may net be improper to observe in 'this con-
nection, that two general hypothesis obtain with
respect to the origin Of these remarkable phenomena
The ascrbes them to the power and Intelligence
subtle and imponderable elements which pervade
and permeate all material forms and this, It
should be observed, accOrds with the ostenable
claims and pretensions OF the manifestations them
selves. Among those who accept this b. potneses
will be found lvrge number Of fellow citizens,
who are alike distinguished for their moral worth,
intellectual powers and attainments. o well as for
their eminent social position and political influence
Others, not less distinguished in all the relations
OF life, reject this conclusion, and entertain the OPT
MON that the acknowledged principles Of physics
and metaphysics will enable scientific inquirers to
account for all the facts in rational and satsfac-
tory manner. While your memoriaists cannot agree
this question: but have honestly arrived at widely
different conclusions respecting the probable canses
most respectfully, to assure your honorable body
they nevertheless most cordially concur in the opi
MON that the alleged phenomena do really occur and
that their mysterious origin, peculiar nature, and i'm
portant bearing the interests of mankind demand
for them patient, thorough, and scientific investi-
cation.
1t cannot reasonably be denied that the various
phenomena to which the memorial refers are likely
10 produce important and lasting results, perma-
nently affecting the physical condition, mental de-
velopment, and moral character Of large number
OF The American people. i is obvious that these
Of health and life, Of thought and action and hence
they may be destined TO modify the conditions Of
our being the faith and philosophy of the age, and
the government Of the world. Moreover, desming II
to be intrinsically proper, and ct the same time
strictly compatible with the cardinal objects and
essential spirit Of Institutions, to address the
presentatives Of the people concerning any and
volvs the discovery Of new principles which must or
may issue In momentous consequences to mankind,
We. your fellow citizens, whose names are appended
TO this memorial, earnestly desire TO b heard on
In pursuance, therefore, of the objects contempla
ted by the present memoralists, and in view Of the
facts and reasons herein contained or referred to,
your fellow citizens most respectfully petition your
honorable body for the appointment Of scientific
commission to which this subject shall be referred,
and for such an appropriation ~ shall enable the
commissioners to prosecute their inquiries to sue
cessful termination. Believing that the progress Of
science and the true interests Of mankind will be
greatly promoted by the proposed investigation, the
undersigned venturerto indulge the hope that their
requests win be approved and sanctioned BY the
wisdom Of your honorable body. And to this end
the petitioners will ever pray.
The Morse Patent.
WASHINGTON, Dec 20 1852
EDITOR or LIE NEW YORK HERALD
One OF your correspondents here umsrates several
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