The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-03-02
INVESTIGATOR.
Spiritual Manifestations.
r the Palladium.

MEssRs. EDIroRs Permit me to reply to an ar
ticle that appeared in your last paper, over the
signature of Common Sense, which shall do as
briefly possibly.
According to all the laws of evidence and real
common sense, all statements made over the names
of writers thereof, are of more force and author
ty than the statements of an unknown
writer.
These gentlemen have, after long and patient
investigation of the claims of spiritualism, at
home and elsewhere, concluded to go to Mr.
koons spirit room. and after a thorough scruti
ny into the same, been constrained, a public
duty to admit it to be real and substantial re-
atty and this writer has also been to VISIT that
truly remarkable room, and must be permitted to
give his humble testimony that under the ar
rangements of that room, it was utterly impossi-
BILE for any person to pass through the room and
perform the manifestations without being de-
tected
Common Sense next attempts to explain these
spiritual phenomenas human psychological
principles Now, | have taken some trouble to
inquire of persons subject to this power, and
they have answered me that they were not made
to believe, but made to say under the
powerful control of the operator; and instances
have occurred where the subject has passed above
that of the operator. Now, if this be the fact,
how to explain it, except it be on the
theory OF a higher spiritual influence.
Common Sense, after making many other
charges against the advocates of spiritualism
brings against them the desire to break down the
marriage institution. That there may be few
persons protesting to be spirituallsts who may
hold sentiments inimical to the marriage relation,
is not for to determine; but every spirtualist
knows who has paid any attention to the subject.
knows that its teachings are OF the most exalted
character for purity and Justice.
Would 1t not be better for Common Sense to
inquire whether his own heart and acts are free
from improper motives, ere he makes such sweep
ing charges against large class Of persons as
are now 10 be found in the United States, whose
morality, both public and private, would not
suffer by comparison with that of Common
Sense.
shall now simply refer to the scriptural as
pect of his article. He says that the only men
that at the second coming of Christ. l will ask
this deeply read Bible student whether Samuel
coming to Saul was not an instance? and also
whether the 22d ch. | Kings, where it is said that
a spirit offered to be a lying spirit in all Ahab.
was not instance, was it angel of light
assuming the garb of the father Of all lies?
/ This writer of Common Sense then winds up
his communication for your paper, by stating
that these things can be accounted for phi!o-
sophical principles Now, cannot this erudite
philosopher and mechanic, produce this manles-
tation of table rappings, tippings and musical
performances, without human hands touching the
instruments, and thus forever settle the question
whether they from spiritual source or not.
am but an humble citizen. but am willing to
assume the responsibility of my own acts. decla
rations and opinions WIN. w. CoNKLE