The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-06-14
MANTUA STATION.


MANTUA STATION.
Correspondence.
There is an old fable to the effect
that a mountain was once in labor, land
after several days of terrible convul-
sions and mighty throes brought forth
a mouse. We think the application
can, with the utmost propriety, be
made to the case of our amiable friend
'Veritas' whose mention of an item of
ours in the Garrettsville journal, ap-
pcared in a recent Issue of the PRESS.
AS result of 'Veritas'' profound
erudition, coupled with a laborious
and exhaustive examination of Web
ster's Unabridged Dictionary, he has
made most important addition to
the sum of human knowledge, as well
as developed an entirely new line of
argument( p in the wonderful discov-
cry that sSQUIB' means "a harmless fire
cracker Almost any school boy OF
average intelligence should have been
able to tell him that, but perhaps every
one does not know that 'Veritas'
means truth a fact that would hardly
be apparent from perusal of the ar
ticle mentioned. 1t is an open ques-
ton with regard to what element there
could be in harmless fire cracker to
move our friend to such a profound
display of sarcasm, so foreign to his
gentle nature and we'll known suavity
of manner. As there is little pow
der left in this sSquib' we purpose
burning it for the benefit of whomso-
ever it may concern.
In the nrsu pace the contemplate
assertion that we were prompted by
any one to write as we did would be
hardly worthy of mention, had it not
emanated from Que who egOtistically
signs himself sVeritas.' That the item
was approved of and circulated. is no
more proof that the person or persons
so doing prompted its authorship, than
that those who indorse the policy of
the chief executive OF our nation are
the Originators of that policy. We
have every reason to fear that your
truthful correspondent has been deal
ing in that Objectionable ec-parte tes-
timOny with which he charges US, and
we ask him to produce the proof in
support of his bold assertion. With
regard to our special invitation to at
tend the seance of Mrs. Wilson, we
wish to say that it came coupled with
the condition that we were to be ad-
United without the payment of the
usual fee, which if accepted, would
in itself be sufficient reason to deter
us from any act that might SAVIOR OF
discourtesy. Therefore we were
obliged to rely somewhat upon the
statements of such persons as did go,
and were unbiased; persons, let us
say, whose statements are entitled to
as much credit as those of the person
who claims that they were not honest
seekers after truth! So far as we are
credibly Informed, no Que who attend
ed the seances, who was not firm be-
lever in the matter before going there,
came away with any conviction
though some would have been glad
to have it otherwise other than the
one that they were not only strength
ened in their unbelief, but outraged
in their feelings at being asked to be.
lieve such mockery. Though we are
charged with ignorance OF the laws and
conditions necessary to the produc.
tion of these sO-called manifestations
we had some years ago honestly in
vesGgated' so far aa we were able
through the mediumship of the noto.
rious DR.. S!ade, in the city of Louis.
vile, Ky, and failed to receive one
indication that we could consider
tangible, or in any degree satisfactory
The failure was attributed by the DR.
to our skepticism, which means, we
suppose, that quality of mind which
refuses to accept as truth any thing not
susceptible of elucidation according
to known principles and the rules OF
evidence. But we are told in this in.
stance, that the cause of failure on the
part of some to see presentation OF
well remembered faces, was not skep.
ticism but an intense longing, prevent.
ing the spirit from leayihg the vicini-
ty of its earthly friend. Now word
or two with regard to the turm skep-
ticism. We recall the utterance of a
learned professor to graduating
class, that in his opinion, honest in
telligent skepticism had been the
means of at least one-half of the solid
advancement i'll the domain OF ideas
during the last eighteen hundred
| years not that skepticism is always
right, but that it stimulates those who
hnoW they are right Gas claimed by
'VeritasO TO the production of indubi-
table proofs in support of their theory
or belief. Though skepticism has OBJ
tanned somewhat disreputab.e signi-
fication through its antagonistic rela-
tions to systems of religion, we feel
that it is useful factor in the world,
and is the one element more than any
other that prevents a lapse into men
tai imbecility. So great is our esteem
for this quality that we have always
had the most profound admiration for
that grand old skeptic the apostle
Thomas, who would not believe that
Jesus stood before him, after having
been crucified, unless he could be al
lowed to put his fingers in the wounds
made by the nails in His hands and
feet, and in His side by the spear of
| the Roman soldier IInnn evid