New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-04-20
SHIELDS on GHOST-SEERs.
LETTER FROM EX-SENATOR rALLxADGs.

FROM EX-SENATOR TALINADGB
Messrs GALS & SEAToS Ny attention has been at
taced TO The proceedings of the Senate published in Tie
IEbgtncer Of this morning, the preen stion Of me
moral by Gen Shields, signed by myself and 1900 cit
EDs OF the Cnied States the ,ubsct of spiritual
"NsniiestshoIs The norsls;s ask Congress 10 ap.
point scientific commission u inv sg ate thee exuaord
paIy phenomena Gen Sh, Ids has given very god sy
ncIss the memorial and hsd be stopped there should
net hove i.t myself called upon for sny rensrks But
contrary to my expectations the General has attempted
70 Idicuie SUBJECT which appealed 20 his better judg
ment, and which according to my und srs,andng TO
receive very different treatment a. his hands
when hrst sIoFe TO Gen Shields about presenting
tis memorial to TIE Sense he treated il with great
iesy ara II ressd his willingness 10 lis reference
!" lect committee. Without expressing any opinion In
favor Of Tie spiritual theory, he agreed with me that
whether Il ritual or philosophical was worthy Of inves
nee'isn After this undertaking confess my surprise
that be should have treated he did that inste I'd of
sn 'nNtste alton by Select Committee OF which by par
hsmtniHy ussge, he would have been chairn.l aud
%hsi those who have in tsgated the subject could have
nten iesro be houd have given in advance retssh of
Whist hes 80 efeE beu SAID before by the opponents Of
slluahm Ny habitual respect for the honorable boiy
OF when ne member Wi cause - torego any re
MAJ upon The attempted criticisms OF himself AMI others
On ihif occasion.
Tee General is pleased N characterize sese ,,niEsta
hons ss a deuson' NoF, do not pretend to any e1
uhorCnsTy power TO understand subject moe. other
men whose Iosnon in life woud indicate talen, canal
il nor superior 10 my Sill d. prstend tha, ~ nan
have iDV siigaitd SUBJECT which they have not an
better capable than they of Judging whether there il anv
delus"n involved in the conclusion which have ar
rived and cannot consent 10 surrender nv reason and
the evd, nee of nv seuses 10 their p.,in., bava
made rule OF my life never 10 write or spe Ak On sub
jec, about which knew nothing That rul, has ssyei
ne from much avn wardness and embarrassment A. Il
world also save Others, We're it adopted by them.
But II i De delusion then the gr,at-r mccarthy of
Investigating II and showing it 10 De such have "a
great interest IN asceranng that fact a. any other
man II u be spiritual, there i. much less .ty
fer T. nye.i alton tecsuse is march vii be ward sui
10 Luu sn power can resis H. Do away with tho dslu
SOD, IL be and you DO away the nsaui,y which
Il sometimes alleged j. consequer, upon IL a,d Al
me honorable cenienan oil rafting l.nd FIR
lissIe Asy iuns would still be essary for Inc vs nun
leIs nndered 80 by religious excitement still they
would have wer inmates by reason Of the humane pria
ripe adulted BY ihs investigation nam-ly Of prs-sl.iu
instt sd Of oErinr peAsqt,ag the disease
bofe. htfefre thai The lame and inp0ten; canclu
"soA (" which tie Senate arrived OF layils ido
Isl The liable may b. Fecon-iered aud hat IL nav re
ctNe hst consideration which lis inP'rts1co denprA-
Rsysifsh'. ,oss y TALLH DOS
80 f.f A. -