The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-06-10
President Lincoln has am

President Lincoln has an
lntervie,o soith the "Spirit Rappers"
Secretaries Stanton and Welles and
John ". Formey Presemt-Lafayette,
Franklin, Washington, &c, Consulted
on the Rebethon-The Fate of The Ala-
banaa Predicted.
We find the following interesting ac-
count Of an evening spent by President
Lincoln and others with the spirits, in the
Boston Gazette. 3s s
WASHINGTON, April %, 1868.
A few evenings since Abraham Lincoln
the President Of the United States, was
induced to give a Spiritual Soiree in the
crimson room at the White House, to test
the wonderful alleged supernatural pow
ers of Mr.. Charles e. Shockle. It was
my good fortune, as friend of the me-
dium, to be present. the party consisting
of the President, Mrs. Lincoln, Mi
Welles, Mr.. Stanton, Mr.. L.. of New
York, and Mr.. F., Of Philadelphia
We took our seats in the circle about eight
o'clock, but the President was called away
shortly after the manifestations commenc-
ed, and the spirits, which had apparently
assembled to convince him of their power,
gave visible tokens of their displeasure
at the Presidents absence, by pinching
Mr.. Stanton's ears and twitching Mr.
Welles' beard. He Soon returned, but it
was some time before harmony was restor.
ed, for the mishaps to the Secretaries
caused such bursts of laughter, that the
influence was very unpropitious. For
some half hour the demonstrations were
Of physical character - tables were
moved, and the picture of Henry Clay,
which hangs on the WALL was swayed more
than foot, and the candelabras, present.
ed by the Dey of Algiers to President
Adams, were twice raised nearly to the
ceiling.
Itwas nearly nine o'clock before Shockle.
was fully under spiritual influence, and
SO powerful were the subsequent mani
festations that twice during the evening
restoratives we're applied, for he was much
weakened, and though took no notes,
shall cndeavor to give you as faithful an
account as possible of what took place.
Loud rappings, about nine clock, were
heard directly beneath the Presidents
feet, and Mr.. Shockle stated that an In
dian desired to communicate.
aWell, SIR" said the President, 81
should be happy to hear what his Indian
majesty has to say. We have recently
had visitation from our red brethren,
and it was the only delegation, black,
white or blue, which did not volunteer
some advice about the conduct Of the
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 MIR. 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 sur
prise Of all present it read as follows:
Haste makes waste, but delays cause
vexations. Give vitality by energy. Use
levery means to subdue. Proelamations
lare useless; make a bold front and fight
the enemy; leave traitors at home to the
care of loyal men. Less note of prepa-
ration, less parade and policy, talk and
more action.
"HENRY KNOX"
That is not Indian talk, Mr.. Shocklc
said the President. "Who is Henry
KnoxY'
I suggested to the medium to ask who
General Knox was, and before the words
were from my lips, the medium spoke in
a strange voice, "The First Secretary Of
/ War"
"Oh yes, General Knox" said the
President, who, turning to the Secretary
said, s'Staaton, that message is for you
it is from your predecessor.
Mr.. Stanton made no reply.
l 81 should like to ask General Knox, u
said the President, ''if it is within the
scope of his ability to tell US when this
rebellion will be put DOWN
In the same manner as before this mes
sage was received:
Washington, Lafayette, Franklin,
Wilberforce, Napoleon and myself have
held frequent consultations upon this
point There is something which our
spiritual eyes cannot detect which appear
well formed. Evil has come at times by
removal of men from high positions, and
there are those in retirement whose abili-
ties should be made useful to hasten the
end. Napoleon says, concentrate yeul
forces upon one point; Lafayette thinks
that the rebellion will dio of exhaustion
Franklin sees the end approaching, as tn,
South must give up for want of mechani
|cal ability to compete against Northern
mechanics. Wilberforce sees hope onls
lin negro arm}.-Knox."