The New York herald., 1863-09-13

WA ~ iooS Ec4ucos Cuoap0t tVWoIU tuo CioSo
ceriss were In limited demand, though generally 6rm.
Hay sasable and steady. Fish attracted at
tention Hides and leather were inquired uniform
rates Petroleum was less Acslvo, and tending down
| ward Wool was selling freely, and the advance.
Freiehts were dull and rates declining. s.r
Prudential Aspirations and Exhala-
/ ti0ns.
The cultivation of the science of spiritualism
has been making great progress in this country,
and even in the Old World Some fifteen years
ago the new gospel was first proclaimed, the city
Of Rochester being its Bethlehem, and some
pretty sisters lis prophets. Then tie miracles
that were vOuehsafed were Of the most vulgar
order UIaccountable knockings on q deal
table were relied upon to knock all common
sense out Of the brains of tho listeners, and in
q great number of cases they were all that
was requisite. Afterwards one Of the lumi-
naries of the judicial bench of this city had a
miracle wrought upon him, not unlike that
wrought upon Paul on lis way to Damascus
and straightway Judge Edmonds became an
apostle of the new faith, and has written any
number Of e2istles to prove its divine origin.
| In proportion as the number Of it's disciples
| and believers increased, the miracles progress.
ed in number and variety. Table tippings and
| surnngs we're only tho child's primer of the
new science. Communications, written and
verbal, were received froa spirits to their
friends sti!l in the flesh. Prophecies were
tried; but they failed Home introduced the
floating miracle, and often appeared waited
along the ceiling, upborne by invisible hands.
genius in Boston conceived the idea OF out
stripping Brady in the Photographic business,
by giving to the sitter not only his own like
| ness, but also the counterfeit present
ment of such Of his dcsunct relations
as might happen to be spiritually in his COM
pany. Still other miracles have been perform
ed, and the science has advanced to such
degree that now its chief professors are able
to make the summoned spirits visible to the
natural eye, just as the Witch Of Endor ex-
hibted the departed prophet Samuel to the
| nervous King Saul. It is said that Louis Napo-
| leon is accustomed to consult his uncle in this
way through the intermediary Of Mr. Home,
and all the court circles Of Europe have dipped
more or less into the mysteries
Why should our Court circle at Washington
hesitate to avail itself Of this new science and
leave all the advantage Of it to European
rulers? Certainly there could be no good rea-
son for its doing so And it has not done so.
We now use the Greek fire. Why should we
despise Delphic oracles! Mr.. Robert Dale
Owen holds one or two official positions under
the government, and as he Is recognized light
Of spiritualism his services in that capacity are
in great demand in and around the White
House. The new science is made use OF pretty
extensively in matters of business; and to what
more important business could il be applied
than to that of President making? The Presi-
dental election Of 1864 has already become a
question Of transcendent interest at Washing
,On. The siege of Charleston, the movement of
Mcade's army, the operations OF Rosecrans in
Tennessee, the uninterrupted cruising Of the
Anglo 'onfederate pirate vessels, the French
occupation OF Mexico, the condition of the
| Treasury, and even JEFF. Davis last pro-
! clanrtion OF freedom to the slaves, are all
questions of minor interest and Importance
there. Nhy not then. consult thc spirits on
the ali-absorbns topic OF who /. to be the
| next President Of the United States. No reason
! to the contrary. Tho consultation has, in fact.
takcn place. The seaace has been held. The
! Cabinet has been assembled and the question
il as murky and unsettled as before.
I IL seems that every member Of the admins
tration, from Mr.. Lincoln down to Rip Van
Winkle Wcles, was equally fidgotty, uneasy
and ANXIOUS to get some spiritual Indications as
to how the Presidential wind was blowing Mr.
Owen lad finished his report on the condition
Of the cmancipated negroes, and was ready for
any other dark business that might be assigned
| to him. lie was therefore summoned to attend
an extraordinary council at the White House,
and to be prepared to exercise all his necro-
mantle arts. He obeyed the summons. Seated
| around table in the council chamber he found
all the members Of the Cabinet assembled, with
Mr.. Lincoln at their head, and several Of the
assistant secretaries scattered around Mr.. Lin
coin announced the object OF the meeting,
stating that there were half dozen Presiden-
tial aspirants present, and that they wanted to
consult the shaues of the mighty dead, 80 as to
discover on whom his mantle was to fall in
March, 1865; or whether b himself was to wear
II for four years longer Sadly smiled the
indiana wizard and set about obeyng orders.
The lights wero exting,,ished in the cham Der,
silence sealed the lips of al Mr. Lincoln him
self actually absteiucd frorr relating little
anccdote that came to his mind, the Secretary
Of State lot his segar die out, and then Mr..
Owen announced that the spirits would permit
the eidolon or image OF the next President to
pass before their eyes. And, sure enough. a
spectral shadow, like the ghost at wallsck's,
gli.ed slowly and solemnly across the chamber
and disappeared This was the face and figure
OF Mr.. Lincoln's successors but the spectators
were no wiser than ever; for they could not
agree as to whom II represented. Some hinted
that 90 much grace Of form and dignity OF de-
pertinent a,aimila,cd ne snsctre e on preseu,