The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-12-25

CARD FROM ROBERT DALE OWE

CARD FROM ROBERT DALE OWEN.
10 the Editor Of the " y. Tribune.
Sir: A biographical notice of the late
Prof. Agassiz in to-day's Tribune has this:
His love for truth in science was only
equalled by his antipathy to shams and
falsehood. In the rare instances where he
thought imposition was practiced, i, called
forth from him fierce wrath that astonished
those who had seen the gentler side of his
nature. Some friends made an arrangement
when a noted exhibition of "Spirtualists"
was in progress, to have a scientific investi-
cation of the alleged "phenomena," and. in
vited Prof. Agassiz to make one of the party.
He turned his back upon his friends, point
ing them to the open door in almost speech
less anger, and only adverted to it afterward
in expressions of surprise that anybody who
knew him should insult him by asking him
thus to waste his time.
Pardon me if doubt the accuracy Of this
statement. Not the fact that the Professor
declined to be present at the proposed meet
ing, for l have heard that he did, but the
''speechless anger" ascribed to him, and the
resenting as an "insult' friendly invitation
to look into subject that has engaged the
attention of earnest men in all civilized
countries, including among the number emf
nent scientific names.
With his hands, alas! over filled, it was
natural and reasonable that he should refuse
to engage in field of inquiry foreign to his
pursuits and where he probably thought it to
be unlikely that anything positive and use
full would be found. But l respect too high
ly his good temper and good sense, l know
too much of his genial and kindly nature, TO
credit the alleged manner of his refusal. He
probably knows by this time, as We shall all
know by and by, that the field he was too
busy to enter il, of all scientific fields, the
one that yields most toward the ethical pro-
gress and the civilization of our race.
Henry Ward Beecher, in an address made
last year to the theological students Of Yale
College, said:
"You cannot afford to shut your eyes to
the truths of human nature. Every chris
tan minister is bound to look fairly at these
things. l read that 'Huxley refused to at
tend seance of Spiritualists. He said, con-
temptuously, that it was a waste of time,
and gave expression to other sentiments of
disdain. l am not an adherent to the spir-
itual doctrines; have never seen my way
clear to accept them. But phenomena that
are wrapping up millions of men, and vitality
affecting their condition, are not to be dis.
dained BY scientific men whose business it liz
to study phenomanology in all its branches.
A scientific man may say that he has no time
to examine them, and that some other man
must investigate them; that would be right;
all men capnot do all things. But to speak
of anything of this kind with contempt is
not wise. / am not afraid to look at this
thing, or at anything"
Il noe that the philosophical view to take
of matter which may give US assurance Of
an immaterial aud immortal part within us,
aud of world, still of human relation, be-
yond that which is now open to our senses?
ROBERT DALE OWEN.
Hotel Branting, New York, Dec Is, 1873.