Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-06-12

President Lincoln has an anfervlec araf
the spiritual rappers Secretaries Stan
ton and GIeNes and John ". Forney pres
interviews Nth the Spirits Of Ma
32ozeon, Lafayette, Franklin, flashing
ton, etc -The President recciced some
good adrace.
WAsInScToN, April %, 1868.
A few evenings since Abraham Lincoln
President Of the United States, was induced
to give a spiritual soiree in the crimson
room at the White House, to test the ven
derful alleged supernatural powers of Mr.
Charles Z sheekle. It was my good for
tune, as friend CT the medium, to be pres
he consisting Of The President,
Mrs. I.iuco.,l, Mr. Welles. Mr. Stanton
Mr. t.. OF New York and Mr. r..
of Philadelphia. We took our seats IN the
circle about s o'clcck, but the President was
called away shortly alter the manifestations
commenced, and the spirits, which had ap
parcntv assembled to convince him OF the
power. gave visible tokens Of their displeas.
ure at the Presidents absence by plnching
Mr. Stauton's cars and twitching Mr.
Welles' beard. He soon returned, but 1t
was some time before harmony was restored,
fer the mishaps to the secretaries caused
such bursts of laughter that the influence
WAS very uppropslous. For some half hour
the demonstrations were of physical char
acter-tlre tables were moved, and the pic
tarc Of tfenry Clay 5shich hangs on the wal
was swayed more than foot, and two car
delabras, presented by the Dey Of Alglers
to President Adams, were twice raised near
ly to the ceiling.
Il was nearly 8 o'clock before Shockle
was fully under spiritual influence, and sc
powerful were the subsequent manifesto
lions, taat twice during the evening rcstora-
tives had to be applied for he was much wea-
kened and though took no notes, shall
endeayor to give you as faithful account IS
possible Of what took place
Loud rappings about 8 o'clock were heard
directly beneath the Presidents feet, and
aIr. Stockle stated that an Indian desired
to communicate.
"Well, sir" said the President, Il should
be happy to hear what his Indian majesty
has to say. We have recently had vlsl-
tation from outred brethren, and it was the
only delegation, black, white, or blue, which
did not volunteer some advice about the
conduct ofsth war"
The medium then called for pencil and
paper, and they were laid upon the table
in sight of all A handkerchief was then
taken from Mr.. Stanton, and the materials
were carefully concealed from sight. In
less space of time than it has required me
to write this, knocks were heard and the
paper was uncovered. To the surprise OF
all present it reads as follows:
"Haste makes waste, but delays cause
vexations. Give vitality by energy. Use
every means to subdue Proclamations are
useless; make bold front and fight the
enemy; leave traitors at home to the care
of loyal men. Less note of preparation,
less parade and policy talk, and more &C
ton HENRY KNOX"
This is not Indian talk. Mr. Shockle. :
said the President. "Who is Henry
knox -
| suggested to the medium to ask who
Gen. Knox was, and before the words was
from my lips the medium spoke in strange
voice: 1.-The first Secretary OF war"
"Ob, yes, Gen Knox" said the Presi
dent who. turning TO the Secretary, said
Stanton, that message is for you; it is from
your predecessor.
Mr.. Stanton made no reply. :.
II should like to ask "Gen Knox sale
the President, if it is Within the scope {! o
his ability to tell US when this rebellion vii
be put down"
In the same manner as before his mes
sage was received. -,
washington. Lafayette, Franklin, WI
berforce, Napoleon and myself. have helf
frequent consultations upon this point
There is something which our spiritual eye
cannot detect which appear well formed
Evil has come at times by removal Of mel
from high positions, and there are those Il
retirement whose abilities should be made
useful to hasten the end Napoleon say
concentrate your forces upon one point.
Lafayette thinks that the rebellion will di
Of exhaustion; Franklin sees the end ap
&c II. "a etC74eh yas,ef s.sva 1sss fa