American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-05-13
Pos tAsLaasa..sr oa.s.ls.

nothing special, sxceptit be dishonest si>
tempt to place my statements in false
light. and an utter ignorance OF tie sub.
ject the author attempts to write about. but
anonymous scribbers may be allowed
great scope aud must not complain If their
effusions are treated only as they merit.
Modern Spiritualism has engaged the
attention OF hundreds OF the most scientific
and shreWd investigators Of The age, Of
whom we will mention Prof. Hare Of
Philadelphis. Hon. Tsllmadgs and Judge
Edmonds Of N Y, Prof. MAhan, OF Cleve-
land, and DR.. Bell Of Mass: the three for
mer became spititualists. the two latter re.
main skeptical and have written six hun
dred gage volume, u which they endeavor
to account for the phenomena by the ac.
tion Of olilic force. supposed to be mod
ifcation of electric fluid. But the united
testimony OF all who have examined the
subject scientifically and carefully, is that
the manifestations are not 10 any way pro-
duced by the completely Of the mediums:
they all agree that they are in direct vio-
lation oi the mode OF action of knowa ply
sical laws. and while some adopt the spir.
itual theory, others leave the matter as
they found it-without any attempt to OK.
plain, and few have piously concluded
that the Devil. the prince OF darkness him.
self is the only responsible agent. 1t is
obvious from every view Of the question.
as he has allowed us to conclude, that X
hasnever visited spirit room, and we
never hear this wholesale method of des.
pairing Of new subjects except from those
who never investigste anything.
1t will be seen therefore. that il l was
"hoaxed,' at least l can claim to bs in
good and respectable companionship.
The dishonesty Of X in attempting to
place me in a wrong position will, appear
when It is remembered by my readers that
Igaye but a statement Of facts that came
under my observation in New York, un :
accompanied by auy opinien of my own;
but / excnse this, because when a yalorous
man has determined to make manifest his
proves, he should be allowed to create and
demolish man, il he does not End his an
tagonist in a position to suit his purpose or
If windmill does not present itself, lest
in beating the air an explosion should take
place that might spread disaster to his i'm
mediate vicinity. ''Graye gentlemen sit
ting round table waiting for the raps,'
&c. The communication alluded to sign
ed Mary, was addressed TO me as the only
inquring person present and could not be a
mere random guetts that might hit the
name Of some "dear departed onc," friend
of some one present, and that might ar.
-swer to mother, sister. daughter or sweet
heart; this will be understood by referring
to my statement. and besides, have in
my possession som, lengthy communica-
lions. given under the same influences, ad
dressed to me as Dear Father, and signed
Mary Elizabeth. This was the name Of
my, daughter, and have lost no other fe-
male friend Of that name. SO it is further
seen that your correspondent has not spo'
ken fairly or honestly Of my statements.
If am asked what my opinion of the
mystery is, | answer that have formed
none except, that as I'm not yet prepared
to doubt the evidences Of my own senses
| am entirely sati fed that the causes from
what ever source they may come, are out
side Of, and superior to human wisdom,
and that they are Of sufficient Importance
to command our attention.
But the existence Of X did no. com
mence ut the right period Of the world,
history; bad he lived when those absurd
doctrines in regard to the rotundity of the
earth, the movement Of the planets rount
the sun, the sun itself being stationary. tbs
propution Of the blood through the humat
system by The heart and arteries, and bach
TO the heart sgain by tile veins, the conver
ton Of water into yapor, by which pom
derous bodies were to be driven through
the vastly deep, or when an old dotard pro
claimed his coatrol of the lightning o
Heaven were started, the authority of hi
gigantic mind might at once have put L
rest those foolish notions, but error one,
set on foot, no bounds can be placed to it
spread, and we are witnesses in this nine
teenth century OF what hal come Of allow
ing those absurdlies to run rampant owe
the earth until scarcely any notion Of man
kind has escaped their Influence.
In the exuberance Of his grac;oasness,
has awarded me ths character of "strong
minded sane man." a compliment which
surely merits an appropriate acknowledge
ment) but strong minded sane men ar
sometimes tie subjects Of strange haluci
nations. Men have been known who i'm
sgined that the perpstuity of the union q
these United Statesdepsndsd on their per
sonal interpositiou and have nut forth spas
modio effortsto prevent the catastrophe
when after all we are left 10 conjecture
whether the disintegrs.ion would or woul
not have taken place II they had rcmaine
quietly at home. But we 'hava create
reasons 10 congratulate each other, aud a
nnankind,. that We have passed the mos
4 dangerous snags. and bars and dissolutio
has not yet taken place. 1t may be pos
sible therefore, that X has rendered som
important service, even at this advance
| period in the history of civilization.
The familiarity Of x with Signor Blit7
and kindred spirits must not be questione
and he must be allowed to claim for ther
!, superior skill TO spirit circles, because ev
cry man has an undispu'ed right to com
mand his own trade.
But if am not unusually mistaken x
more exercised about spirits than the read
ers Of the Gazette. Hear him "with d
, vining RODS going to turn our county int
] an El Leadrado," he means lead mir
ling district.) Well, If X has in any wa
. been compromised in this affair. as for il