Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-06-04

Boston Gazette gives an account Of an
evenings "spiritual" entertainment at
the Presidential mansion:
WASHINGTON, April %, 1868.
Z" A few evenings since abraham Lin
eoln, President Of the United States, was
induced to give spiritual sOiree in the
crimson room at the White House, to test
the wonderful alleged supernatural pow
era Of Mr.. Charles E. Shockle. Il was my
good fortune, as a friend Of the medium,
TO be present the party consisting Of the
President, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr.. Welles, Mr..
Stanton. Mr.. l., OF New York, and Mr..
p, of Philadelphia. We took our seats
in tho circle about eight o'clock but the
the manifestations commenced, and the
spirits, which had apparently assembled
to convince him Of the power, gave visible
tokens Of their displessure at the Presi-
dents absence by pinching Mr.. StantOn's
ears and twitehing Mr.. Welles' beard. He
soon returned; but it was some time be-
fore harmony was restored, for the mis-
haps to the Secretaries caused such bursts
Of laughter that the influence was very
unpropitious. For some half hour the de-
roonstrations were Of q physical character
tables were moved, and the picture Of
Henry Clay, which hangs on the wall, was
swayed more than foot, and two candle
lsbrss, presented by the Dsy Of Algiers to
President Adams, were twioe raised nearly
to the ceiling.
at was nearly nine o'clock before
shockle was fully under spiritual infu-
ence, and so powerful were the subsequent
manifestations that twice during the eve
ming restoratives we're appiedj for he
was much weakened, and though 1 took no
notes, 1 shall endesvor to give you as faith
full an account as possible Of what took
place.
cloud rappings about nine o'clock we're
heard directly beneath the Presidents
feet, and Mr.. Shoekle stated that an Indian
desired to communicate.
"sWell, sir, said the President, j should
be happy to hear what his Indian majesty
has to say. We have recently had visi-
tation from our red brethren, and it was
the only delegstiOn-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 on the table in
sight Of all. A handkerchief was then
taken from Mr.. Stanton, and the materials
we're carefully concealed from sight. In
less space of time than it has required me
10 write this, knocks were heard and the
paper was uncovered. To the surprise Of
all present it reads as follows
GHaste makes waste but delays cause
vexstions. Give vitality by energy. Use
every means to subdue. ProslamatiOns
are useless: make q bold front and fight
the enemy; leave traitors at home to the
care Of loyal men. Less note Of prepara-
ton, less parade and policy talk, and more
action. HENRY KNOX"
"That is not Indian talk, Mr.. Shockle."
said the President. "Who is Henry Knox"
1 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"
HOh, yes, General Knox" said the Pre-
sident, who turning to the Secretary, said )
"Stanton, that message is for you it is
from your predecessor"
Mr. Stanton made no reply.
at should like to ask General Knox
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 his 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 appears well
formed. Evil has come at times by remoV-
sl of men from high position, and there
are those intirement whose abilities should
be made useful TO hasten the end. Nspo-
leon says concentrate your forces upon
one point: Lafayette thinks that the rebel
lion will die of exhaustion: Franklin sees
the end approaching, as the South must
give up for want Of Of mechanical ability
70 compete against Northern mechanics.
Wilberforce sees hopes only in negro
army.-KN0X."
"Well," exclaimed the President, "opin-
ions differ among the saints as well as the
sinners. They don't seem to understand
running the machines among the Celes-
tails much better than we do. Their talk
and adYiees sound very much like the talk
of my Cabinet-dont you think so Mr..
Wslles ~
HWell, don't know. will think the
matter over and see what conclusion to
arrive at"
Heavy rsps were heard, and the alpha
bet wss called for, when "That's what's
the matter" was spelt out.
There was a shout Of laughter, and Mr..
Welles strOked his beard.
"That means, Mr.. Welles," said the
President, that you are apt to be long
Winded and the nearest way home is the
longest way round. Short cuts in war
times. wish the spirits would tellus how
to catch tht Alabama"
"The lights, which had been partially
lowered, almost instantaneously became so
dim that could not see sufficiently to dis
tinuish the features ofany one in the room,
and on the large mirror over the msntel
piece there appeared the most beautiful
though supernatural picture ever beheld.
It represented a sea vieW-the Alabama,
with steam all up, flying from the pursuit
Of another large steamer. Two merchant
men in the distance we're seen partially
destroyed by FIRE. The picture changed,
and the Alabama was seen at anchor un-
der the shadow Of an English fort from
which an English flag was waving. The
was floating idly, not soul on
board, and no signs Of life visible about
her. The picture vanished, and in letters
of purple appeared" The English people
demanded this Of Englands aristocracy."
$50 England is to seize the Alabama
finally 2" said the President. at may be
possible; but Mr.. Welles, don't let one
gunboat or Monitor less be built"
The spirits called for the alphabet, and
again "Thsts what's the matter" was
5pelt out.
Il see, see, said the President So
mother England thinks that what's sauce
for the goose may be sauce for the gsnder.
It may be tit tat too, hereafter; but it is
not very complimentary to our navy, any
how"
"WeVs done our best, Mr.. President"