Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-11
sPIRIrIsM-A cHALLENeR.

hisusual scattering, irregular and dlseon-
nected style. After making theimpres-
sion on all who read his two separate
illusions to the circumstance, that a test
had been proposed by some one about
the LKDGER and complied with, he ex-
plains that he offered to let Mr.. john
ston Of the Appeal stand of and hold a
rope tied 10 the medium. Mr.. Johnston
declined. What sort Of q test was that
Does the champion Of spiritualism rest
his case on such a subterfugeH But he
leaves that branch Of the subject to de-
scribe the seanes that Mr.. Mathes at
tended and tell 10 a roundabout way
where he boughta ball oftwine and why he
didn't use it, and then comes back to the
cord business again, and asserts that the
cord was held in the audience, and ap'
peals to Mr.. Johnston that he was offered
the privilege Of holding it. The Doctor
omits, singularly enough, to state who
held the cord or what the report was.
BE tells US, as usual, what he did and
what he saw. He should remember that
he is an interested witness, and that PEG
pie really capable of investigating pre-
fer to have the evidence OF their W
senses. he claims to shake hands with
msterialized spirits who have pulsa-
ton, perspiration and all the quail
ties and functions Of mortals. Why
not let some doubling Thomas have
the same priEilegeY We will not ask for
a kiss or a loving csress, but Simply q
fair, honest shake of the hand, witnessed
by an equal number Of believers and I'M
believers. The startling and unexpected
part Of the Doctors letter to-day, and
which we have taken the liberty Of
italicizing, is that Mrs. Miller's
control" has informed him that
those skeptics who have written
about the medium are attended by
spirits who greatly retard the materiali'
cations. Well, if we are attended by
spirits and they cannot counteract and
put to flight the added and idiotic
spirits that hover about Mrs. Miller's
cabinet and jabber nonsense and bad
grammar, we cay to them-avaunt, be.
gone; we'll no more Of you This con-
troll has further informed the Doctor
that until Mrs. Miller is better
developed these skeptics must not
be allowed TO attend the sesnces. This
would be amusing il It we're not q pitiful
plea Of weakness and imbecility. Mrs.
Miller has been before the public oyer
two years. and Doctor Watson has spread
it far and vide that she was q most
powerful medium. Her fame has gone
to other States, and people come hrn-
dredS Of miles to see her; yet one posi-
tive mind with a fixed purpose in circle
OF t%wsnty-six persons, mostly believers,
confuseS and demoralizes Red Face and
all his little gquaws and big spirits that
wanted to m out; all the full-grown
spirits that are supposed to answer roll
call about the person of Doctor Watson,
Mr.. and Mrs. Miller, Mr.. Stillman, DR..
AsNeal and other we'll known and de-
eided %spiritualists, who we're present;
one s~elrreliant mind dispensing the
hosts of spiFitnalism in their stronghold
Every intelligent reader can draw his
own conclusions. When the Doctor
challenged us to investigate we little
Supposed that he reserved the conditions
that we should not report progress aud
criticize freely, specially as he has hst
the unlimited use Of our columns L
eeply. We desire to pursue the investi
CATION, and will do so il permitted. W,
cegret hat the Doctor has backed down
as We have only attended two seanceI
and have not had an opportunity t
apply any special tests. We will pro
pose none that would do physical vic
lerce to the medium. Much space hal
been given to this subject on oSs part
FIRST TO give both sides fair play, baI
mainly in our humble way 10 serv,
the cause Of humanity by assisting il
breaking up false ideas and removing {
dcusicn which is not only breaking u
mems we'll grounded faith and religion
but destroying their very reason.
And now, in conclusion, we beg to SO,
to Doctor Watson that we are authorize,
by 8 gentleman TO offer the sum of on,
huRdred dollars for the privilege of walk
ing on the platform and shaking til,
band Of that m~sterialized spirit, a limitet
number Of persona whom he shall nam
to be present, and a like number Of spir
itualists, the arrangements to be mad,
by mutual agreement for a fair and IN
miStaksble test. Let us hesT from III,
Doctor at his earliest convenience. Il,
cannot, and We are sure will not, evad,
this fair and honorable proposition.
-a-o-N
ATRoCIOUs UTTRRANcEs.
Our personal respect for NJ T.oa.,,