The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-08-09
TheAnti-AGonoPOlist.
forms danced and waved their arms as if in

'orms danced and waved their arms as if in
ylee at the reunion"
We have referred to but comparatively
few of the marvels of which the author
was an eyewitness, and which he has related
with the self-possess;on and freedom from
excitement which are universally ac-
cep: ed as the strongest signs of sincerity
Mr.. Olcott, however, is not only an honest
inquirer, and faithful chronicler, but an
observer of unusual intelligence and sagac-
ity. Still we have given sufficient num-
Der Of examples to show the character OF
the phenomena which he records, but does
not undertake to explain Indeed he is so
careful not to commit himself to any prema-
ture judgements, thatshe sometime leaves us
in doubt as to his final impressions. At all
events, he does not take the position OF
strenuous advocate, Of any theory. but re-
latSs his experience in q manner to provoke
more thorough Investigation. He fully ad.
mits not only the possibility, but the actual
existence of deception on the part Of the
mediums In his opinion, the statement OF
many competent writer's is CO. rect. that
nearly all public mediums occasionally SIM
ulate their phenomena, where from any cause,
they cannot produce the real ones Even
two of the Eddy family few years since
made public exposure of the tricks of
mediums, including themselves. But this,
Mr.. Olcott has become convinced, was o
mere pretense, resorted to for the purpose
Of raising money when in a very needy con-
dition. Still he has not relied upon any Of
their manifestations, which it was possible
for them to initiate. His conclusions as to
the reality of the phenomena have been
derived from other sources Thus much.
after the most careful observation, he can
not deny. that whatever the cause of these
phenomena they are not due to imposture
or charlatanry. He passed through every
degree of incredulity and distrust. And,
as better men have been deceived before, he
cannot now ask sober-minded thinkers to
share his convictions, until they have had
the same opportunities as himself.
Mr.. Olcott is urgent in his appeals t. men
of science to submit the phenomena in ques-
ton to The test of scientific experiment.
This, he conceives, is the only remedy
against the immense mass Of deception and
credulity which has hitherto attended the
examination of the subject. The matter Of
the intercourse between the two worlds has
been SO tainted with falsehood as to make
vigilance necessity. The observation Of
the phenomena, he afirms, has been too
much in the hands of ignorant, dishonest,
and even dissolute people. The most afro
cious fraud has been often practiced upon
honest Investigators, and the eacredest feel
ines of the heart have hecn trifed with
for grain. The responsibility for this, Mr..
Olcott places at the door Of scientific men
They could discover the fundamental law Of
the phenomena in question, if they would
vouchsafe to give their attention to the
subject Instead of doing this, they have
turned us over to charlatans and enthusi-
asts to be deceived and misled until taught
by our own dearly bought experience. II
it be true, remarks Mr.. Olcott that most
mediums will cheat when temporarily de-
prived of their power, it is the more nee
essary that competent investigators shall
set to work to discover the law by which te
distinguish the false from the true phenom
ena. But we must confess that we do moi
see the force of Mr.. Olcott's eloquent ap
peals If the study of magic and necrona
CIV has never been the favorite pursuit OF
the soundest minds. it is lue to the inheren
character of the subjects. The data OF
which they rest have been of too vagu,
and shadowy nature to challenge the in
terest of exact and athletic intellects, ex-
cept, perhaps, as matters of history, ant
Illustrations of human development The,
do not furnish the standards Of compari
son. which are essential to the elucidatiol
, of truth: the facts with which they are con
cerned, can neither be weighed nor meas
r ured they elude the cognizance of tn
I keenest insight, no less than of the graves
: Judgment; and are as little adapted to scien
r tifc analysis rs the predictions of divina
. ton, or the surprises of legcrdemain. will
n which indeed they have often been idenii
e feel. Among the adopts in magic in pas
: ages have been many persons Of ardent
1 imaginative temperament; but Of exact AM
= scientific thinkers, few. Even in our days
a the men of thought and intelligence, VIII
I have devoted portion Of their time I
a necrc mantle studies, and whom Mr.. Olcot
e holds up ~ models for imitation, have nc
{ met with the signal success in their inqui
. ries which might encourage others to fol
d low the example. In spite Of tie labor
a Of Prof. Hare, Judge Edmonds, Mr.. Alfre
}. Wallace, Mr.. William Crookes, Mr.. Epe
n Sargent, and q few other eminent men
e science and literature, the knot has neve
e been united: spiritualism is still myster,
!, if not myth; no theory Of its manfesta
/. tons has been universally accepted by il
l. receivers; the tie between the dead and II
l. living is still . matter Of faith, not I
. kno Wedge: and no modern bridge has bet
II constructed between Eternity and Time
i, Nor do the wonderful phenomena relate
ii by Mr.. Olcost appear to shed much light q
r the problem Of human destiny Admittin
d their reality, there is no connection betwee
!. such visions Of glamour and the immort
e. hopes Of humanity. Hobgoblins furnish
N answer to the obstinate questioniags Of u
r soul But the spectacular scenes on Il
x Chittenden rocks have not yet been brougl
,e within the domain Of accurate knowledg
ID The actors IN them may be ghosts. or gem
Mt or gas, or the '.aery tongues that syllao
of mems names on rocks, and shores, and d
r sert wilderness" In no case are tn
e, guides to Heaven, and probably quite e b
70 tie, leaders TO He'll They teach nothln
ne they prove nothing. they suggest notA'n
or They dispel no doubts, relieve no fears, Il
y, spire no hopes. The hints which are Civ
O. by the spectators of their present abod
II are absolutely appalling. Instead Of {