The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-04
VOL. IX--NO. AZ.
spirits and Spirit Rappings.

FNSAss o"" opsHtt ANmPh"8s.
This is the title OF a somewhat od captain
dun article that appears in one OF the most
able OF the British Reviews, the Westminster.
The writer reviews number OF books on
this vexe,l, and we must confess most inter.
esting question and the list Of works quoted
by the Reriew is an evidence that the sub
ject still provokes enquiry and has an increas-
ing list of believers, and Of course of oppo-
nents.
The Repiep says its readers would be
very much astonshed il the world had only
laid before it the names Of several Of thosr
who are unhinching believers in it, or are de-
voting themselves to the study and repro
duction Of its marvels We look upon then
as confessing priori that there really is
something in the SO called spiritualism, its
alleged or real facts, to induce these person.
ages whom the Rerew, as radical as it is,
thinks OF such high position, to be beyond
mention in the ordinary way of conccalment,
such as the worldwide renowned Prince of
Dash" or the "lovely Duchess Of Asterisks,"
and this fact alone inclines US to think that
the tone Of the RerieT may gradually alter
from that of q sarcastic sceptic, to at least
the position Of respectful observer.
In the honesty of these communications,
the believers in the spiritual origin of the
phenomena under consideration, have thrown
themselves open to every kind OF criticism
that can be brought to bear upon them, and
we cannot deny the right of any critic to u'e
the weapons he has proved and that best fit his
hand. Still the criticism that only takes up
here and there passage in whole book
and then lets the matter drop is strongly to
be mistrusted, and the provcrb ab uno d,soe
omnes is as open itself to criticism, as any OF
its well used, and often wrongfully applied
fraternity.
1t is needless to say that the Westminster,
the strenuous opponent Of all that is fondly
imagined to be orthodox by its possessors'
is, like all other reformers, extremely jealous
OF any one presuming to think differently
from itself on points connected with extra
mundane affairs, or who may strike out
line of reasoning from facts that 1t has
hitherto regarded as unworthy Of notice.
We ste the Rer,eu stating that it relies
for its information exclusively on the evi-
dence furnished by the advocates OF the spI-
ritual movement This would incline one to
think that fairness in argument would be
found in the article under remark bat such
is not the case. The most remarkable 'Acts
in the work. above quoted are brought for
ward alone, and without context 10 give the
general reader the slightest idea Of the
grounds that believers in modern spiritual
ism have for their belief. The Old expert
ments Of Professor FAaADAY, as 10 tie 40
called unconscious muscular action o'
persons on tables that gyratc and otherwise
move in the curious manner they do, Is
quoted but the reviewer forgets To men
tion that Miss ExxA HARDrSGg, who was
FARADAY's amanuensis. and copied for the
press the articles he wrote on table-turning'
and laughed as did the Professor at every
believer 10 new or hitherto undcscribed
force. is now a medium OF no common order
When We make mention Of the terms me-
dium, sprituallsm. &c be il understood
that We do not commit Ourselves in any
way 10 the belief Of spritualism IN general,
but merely use them as designating a certain
class Of facts. aud the theories founded there
on and this We say not for any fear OF self
committal, or for the criticism that NAV be
launched against Us, bu, simply beca1se with
long and intimate acquaintance with mes
merism and clairyoyance, &c. that VIC have
cultivated in every quarter Of the globe,
and in all societies, we cannot come TO any
conclusions that satisfy ourselyes a. TO the
origin, spiritual or mundane, Of the facts,
clear and s,rikingly coincidcnt that we have
witnessed thousands o, miles apart from each
other, and in strangely different societies.
Hoxeyer, a nos mou,Ons, lei u bear what
our TRANSATLANTIC friend says Of the spiritual
movement in this country
Pusy Offsets from the great American .tem,
the Earopean Manifestations soon dsindlsd
away pre-enting in this respect rem narkabe
contrast 10 the fate o. the parent plant. Free
20 grow. neither over.hseo~ed BY authority
A. everything In Old countries is, nor checked
by that concs niFsted opinion, which 10 EaI 0ps
u ever reaty 10 issre from governing centres
TO reconn0itrs. To eriuci.e. and too often TO
trorb-ai aer IDEAS, the American rspplng, as