Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-05-23
AVOCA.
FROM LIBERAL"
May 9Th, 1873,

may 0In, 1919,
Editor CHRONICLE
An article from j. p, on Spirituaism
published in the CHRONICLE Of Nav
9th, has somewhat attracted my attention
and by your leave, will make few re
marks in reply.
Throughout the above named article the
writer seems to regret that "Sp;ritualsm
or its doctrine should form a topic of
controversy for an intelligent body in the
midst Of an intelligent community :" and
all that kind cf light sounding parapher-
MALTA. lie evidently belongs to that class
who are unable to bear the light Of free
discussion, and would stranglc it if they
had the ability; but again j. P. hints that
he "has been led to believe from facts and
hints CLEANED from the public press" &C.,
Omen are sometimes led to believe many
foolish things, "that Spiritualisn had long
since died premature death, and been
buried or hid from the public gazo by the
mantle of ignorance" &c. | thank j. P.
for the admission that Spiritualsm ard all
other liberal movements can only be
Shat out or hid from the gaze Of the
American people by The mantle Of ignor
nee; and that same mantle has covered our
Investigations too long, clearly proving
as DR.. Goodman says, that " the Amer
lean people have no brains above their
eyeS;' but, thanks to an intelligent com
munity, Snch as you seem to have at
Oodgevila, If the statement of j. p is
worthy Of credence, is awake or awaken
ing, and this seamless garment Of ignOr-
ance, which the writer boasts Of as cover
i1g Liberalism and SpiritualiSm from our
gaze, are about to be rent by the efforts Of
James Leach and few others who do not
shrink from free discussion, and are vii
ling to compare their respective systems
together. Qucary: When the Dodgeville
SpiritualistS liberals and InfdelS), tear
the garment Of ignorance, will the great
m0kanna Of ignorance and superstition,
which is not only at warwith Spritualism
but all liberal and progressive move
ments be shown to US exactly as it is !?
God grant that it may be so. Then the
discussion will not have been barren Of
good results. But to return TO the sub
ject, the writer says that "Spiritualism
was originally found among cannbals and
devil worshipers." Now this statement |
deny fatty, and dare j. 2. to the proof.
[ am not aware how the cannibals of the,
Hawaiian Islands previous to the intro
duction Of Christianity, coHld have been
Devil "Worshrpcrs," as the Devil, that
most effective instrument in the hands of
the clergy to scare sinners into the king
dom TO come, is generally (though not
always, considered as being of Christian
or Prestly origin. How, then, [ say.
could they be worshipers Of His Satanic
IIighness, prior to his importation by the
bible, foreign missionaries or the American
Tract Society," am not well up in these
clerical terms, nor do I know to which cf
the Society's named above are the Haw
alan Islanders indebted to for their con-
version from Spiritualism to Christianity,
nor do | care, and I leave the reader to
Judge how much the condition Of these same
'IIawaans has been improved by the
change. | have no desire to controvert
any of the religious tenants held by any Of
the denominations of our fellow citizens, as
many Of my warmest friends are among
the various sects that compose the body
known as the Christian Church. Many of
these sects have learned and respected
ministers whom [ respect and esteem.
In conclusion have only 10 say will
j. P. or any body else point out the
article from the pen of any Liberal writer
in the country showing or even limiting at
t c exposures of the Davis's. Sunderland's
and other recognized lights of the body
known as Spiritualists. Why, sir, these
men are recognized as stars in the Spirit
ualistic Heavens. These writings are,
standard authority among Spiritualists
Will j P. name the book or paper said to
contain an expose of the humbugs
of these men. | promise to expose him, or
else Join with him in denunciaton of the
whole system and will curse as loud and
as long as j. 2, or any body else. But if
he cannot do this, or will not meet the
issue, then common decercy compels him
to apologize for his unwarrantable in
reference in pending controversy, with
regard to what is claimed for Spiritual
ism as a religion, or in philosophy, by its
admirers.
have nothing more to say; am not sure
that spirit manifestations can be demon
strated with mathematical certainty nei-
Their do | believe it but instice should
be done though the heavens fall
Meanwhile [ am yours respectfully,
LIBERAL.