The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-24

HE SPlFlT hAPPERS IN CuNGRESS.-Altn0upn
the petition presented to tie Senate on Mon
day last, by Gen raj Shields, from the fifteen
thousand lunatcs who subscribe themselves as
spiritualists, served the double purpose OF break
ing the monotony of legislative labors and OF
ailording the gallant Senator from Illinois an
opportunity of disch rging himself Of the
memorabilia Of the black art with which he had
been examining for some days previously we
look upon al such displays as subjects rather
for regret than laughter. We are sorry in the
first place TO see an otherwise sensible man
making fool of himself, by lestowing so much
consideration and inquiry upon topic which
is pronounced by all sane persons as the gross
est delusion and humbug, and in the next we
cannot too strongly reprobate its Introduction
and discu; sion in Congress. Owing to the pc
culiarly fanc,ful and attractive character of the
spiritualist theories, every fresh agitation Of
them only serves to spread the mischief, and
the notice that has been taken of them in Con-
gress viii give them sort of Fictitious impor-
lance which they would not otherwise have
possessed. General Shields should have re-
membered the precept OF the Latin poet
1T iii qui con,morit melins non taagere
clamo.''
1t is a fact worthy of note that the origin OF
many if not the majority, Of these popular de-
lusions is to be traced TO the New England
States and to New England people. The Fox
family, although they selected Rochester as the
scene Of their trapping" operations were
originally from that part of the Union
Joe Smith was raised in Vermont, AID
have figured as prophets or disciples in the dis
semination Of error, have sprung from the same
fruitful soil. The fact is singular one, and
can only be accounted for by the unhealthy and
unnatural activity which is said to pervade the
New England mind.
If We were to inquire into the causes that
lead SC many people into The credulous and IN
hestating adoption of every new theory that is
started-theories that are continually giving
rise to the dissolution Of old sects and the for
nation Of new ones, and which present to Us
lom time to time the strange spectacle Of wo-
men III hrecches seeking to regulate the affairs
OF society," whilst they neglect their own duties
selves into one all-powerful motive and boad o.
ympathy-disappoint In nine cases out
Of ten il is from the disappointed Of all classes
not even excluding the most educated, tina.
spritualism, Fourerism communism, and ali
the other isms that lead the human mind astray,
pick up their disciples and converts. Young
females disappointed at not getting husbands
married women disappointed with those they
have got; polit clans disappointed at not get
ting Offices; commercial m n disappointed at
not realizing fortunes; AM stockholders dis
appointed at some unlucly turn of the market,
all help to swell up the ranks of the reckless
and halfdemented fools that Gen. Shields has
taken unLer his patronage. When we see
State Ju5ge travelling about the coun-
try for the purpose Of disseminating these alb
surd Doctrines, end United States Senator
occupying the time and attention OF The Legis-
lature with the discussion of topics which the
common sense Ct the world has long since
tahcoed, we cannot help asking ourselves if we
are really living in the nineteenth century.