Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-06
SPIRITUALIsn ar THE WHITE HOUSE.
OLD ABE HAS Az INTERVIEW WITH TIE SPIRIT
SUAL RAPPERS.

l
correspondent of the Boston Gazette from
Washington, April 9s, 1904 furnishes the following
amusing sketch: ~ - ~ ~ II
| A few evening since Abraham Lincoln, President Of
the United States indIcedpo give spiritual soiree
in the crimson room at the Write HOUSE, to lest the
wonderful alleged supernatural powers OF Mr.. Cha les
f. Shocke. IL my good fortune as afriend Of the
medium, 70 be presents the party consisting Of me Pre-
sident, Mrs. Lincoln, tr. Welee, Mr.. Stanton, Er.
! L., New York, and Mr. -, Of Philadelphia
We took our the circle about O'Clock, but the
President called away shortly after sthc manifesto
tons commenced, aud the spiris, which bad apparently
assembled 10 convince him OF the power, gave visible
tokens of their dspeasure the Pres idents absence
! by pinching Mr.. Stanten's and twitcbng Mr..
WeHes beard. lie soon returned, BUTT some time
before harmony restored for the mishsps to the
secretaries caused such bursts Of laughter that the in
fuence very uppropitious For some half hour.the
demonstrations we're of physical character-the tables
moved and the picture Of Henry Clay which hangs
Gu the wall was swsyed more than foot, and two
dtabras presented by the Dey OF Agiers President
Adams we're twice raised nearly to the ceiling.
1t was nearly riue o'clock before Shockle was fully
under spiritual influence, and powerful he sub
sequent manifestations that twice during the evening
resoratives had 10 be applied for he was much weak
ened, and though took notes, shall endeavor to
give you faithful ccoun possible OF what took
place.
Loud rapppg about O'Clock we're heard directly be.
an 9disn desired to communicate.
We'll SIR said the President, 81 should be happytO
hear what his Indan majesty has to say. We hGye re-
Gently had visitation from red brethren. and twas
the only del CATION, black, white or blue, which not
volunteer some advice about the conduct OF the war;.
The medium then called for pencil and paper and they
were laid upon tho table in sight Of all. handker-
chief then taken from Mr. Stanton, and the mate
rals were carefully concealed from sight. In less space
Of time than il has required me to write his knocks
were heard and the paper was uncovered To the sur
| prise of all present il read as followsa
"Haste makes waste, but DELAYS cause vexatons.-
| Give vitality by energy. Use every means to subdue.-
Proclamations useless make bold front and fight
the enemy leave traitors at home to take Of loyal
mer. Less note of preparation, less parade and policy
talk and more action. HENRY KNOB"
"ihis is not Indian talk, Mr.. shockle" said the Pres
dent "Who is Henry Knox ="
suggested 70 the medium to ask who zen. Knox
| vas and before the words were from my lips the me
dun spoke in strange voice. 'The first Secretary of
War,
"oB, yes, Gen knox, said the PRESIDENT, who, turn.
log to the Secretary, said Stanton, that message is
| for you; it is from your predecessor ~
| Mr. STA ton made no fepy.
Il should Ike to ask Gen. Knox, said the President,
ffitiH within the scop Of his ability 70 tell US when
this rebellion viii be put down"
Ia the same nanueS before bis message vas
ceived:
L
on tbs po,ot There is omo hing which our spiritual
| ewes cannot detect which appears wei forrcd. Evil
| has come at time by removal OF men from high posi-
tons aud there tho in Terellelt whose abilities
should be made useful TO hasten the eud. Napoleon
saws concentrate ycur forces upon one point Laiay-
cite thinks that the rebellion will die Of eX ansoD
Franklin sees the end approaching as the South must
give up for want of mechanical ability TO compete
| against Northern mechanics. WilberOrce secs hope
| only In a negro aImY-Kuox"
a. ~ liant min
among the saints as well among the sinners They
d ant Gem TO understand run the machines among
the cpestias much better than DO. Their talk and
advice sound very much live the talk Of my Cabinet
| don't you think so, kr. WeiesE
well don't know will think the matter over and
see " hat conclusion to arrive at"
Heavy raps we're heard and the alphabet was called
for NkSa HRhat's what's fhe niater was speit ou'.
There vas shout of laughter and ar. Welles stroked
bis adj
Won are apt to be lougwinded, and think the nearest
was home is the longest ~ay round Short cuts in war
tines wish the spirits could tell US how to catch the
| N llama
The lights, which had been partially lowered, almost
spontaneously became dim that could not see SUI
fcendy TO distinguish the features Of any one in tie
/ room and on the large mirror over the mantelpece
there appeared the most beautiful thong supernatural
p;cture ever beheld IL represented sea view, the
Alabama with al steam up living from the pursuit Of
another large steamer. Two merchantmen in the dis
lance were seen partially destroyed by fire. The pic
ture changed and the 1Ldbdmd was at anchor un
der the shadow OF English fort from which an Eng
| lsh flag was waving. TIE -ilab1Dd was floating idy,
not soul ON board and no signs Of life visible about
her The picture vanished and in letters of purple ap
peaTed, The English people demanded this Of Eng
| lands aristocracy"
80 England is to seize the Alabama, finally ?" said
the President at may be possible; but, Mr.. Weles,
/ don't LET one guuboat or Monitor less be built
al oil hat md
| what's the mstter," was spelt out.
az See see said the President. Mother England
thinks that what's sauce for the goo may be sauce
for tue gander. 1t may BE- tit ta too, hereafter. But
| it il not very complimentary TO or navy, anyhow"
"Weve done our best, Mr. President" said Mr.
Wees 81 am maturing plan, which, when perfect
ed, think if it works well, wi be perfect trap for
the Alabama"
"Wen, Mr.. Shockle," remarked the President, az
have seen strange things and heard rather odd remarks
but nothing which convinces me, except the pictures
that there is anything very heavenly about all this
should Ike if possible to hear what Judge Douglas says
ABOUT this war"
" try to get his spirit" said Mr.. Shockle "but it
sometimes happens, as it did in the case OF the
Indian that though first impressed by spirit yield
TO another more powerful If perfect sieuc. is mau-
tanned will see if We cannot induce Gen. Knox TO send
for Ar Douglas"
Three raps were given sgnifyDg assent TO the pTopo
sition Perfect silence maintained and after an
interval OF psTnaps lAIee Hhnu'esi w. SuOCho ioo'
quickly from his chair and stood up hehind resting his
left arm on the back bis right thrust into his bosom
In voice such as no one could mistake who had ever
heard Mr. Douglas, he spoke. ! shall not pretend to
quote the iIngGage. L. eloquent and choice. He
urged the President to throw aside all advisers who
hesated about the policy to be pursued, and to listen
to the wishes of the people, who would sustain
him at all points If his aim was, he believed il
was, to restore the Tn on. lie said there Bars
and Bapnerhasetts living but that they would witber
before the popular approval which would follow one or
two victims such he thought must take place ere long
The turning point in this war will be the proper use Of
these vic oTiesf wicked men in the first hours Of
cess think i: lime TO devote their attention TO party, the
war will be prolonged, but if victory is followed up by
energetic action, all will be well
81 believe that said the President, whether it comes
from spirit or human"