The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-08-05
RISING TO BKPLB

io THE EDITOR or THE NEW
Having long since 'earue dis
erection is The better ps-t en-
deavor to avoid collision nose
who. 10y prerugative 81 seEl 'ege
Of position, will be qaita 81 ave
the last word;' hauee rre dsr
considerable personal aGra1 han
encounter editorial criticism Elen,
throrgh inadverterCs or 5e, I
am arraigued tef.re lhr .oi.o iu a
manner compromising my honor, or in
a way to injure my public usefulness /
feel il my duty to challenge sfsteo'"-'
which misrepreseut my st'.-s
sentiments. In The NEW oAlHIH
Of July 29,h, in the column OF
rial Correspondence" I fud aan.
notes upon the recent Spiritual cam
meeting at New Era, the following ai-
lusions to myself: Dean Clars
on hand with some very good pliloso-
phy, but it was q new feature TO Port
landers to see him affect the trance. He
would certainly succeed better every
where by claiming the eUidenf personal
responsibility Of his OlC1 differences" 7
italicize statements in the above quota
tions at which emphaiically demur.
Mrs Duuiway herself was the only
person, to my knowledge, who affected
the trance" and allow me say that
her first effort at playing O. false part
was too decided a success to be encour-
aged. As for myself, have uever. dur
ing fifteen years Of public speaking,
claimed to speak in a trance. I am
known to the entire Spirituaiist fra.a--
nifty, who have read our papers, or beard
me define my position, as an inspirl-
tioual speaker, usually speaking, as Oh
the aforesaid occasion, imprcmptu, aud
as / knOiC aud have the courage and
honesty to testify geuerah- under %
spirituaI aflatus which botl q1ickeu5
NV own mentality and, as .u this iu-
stance, often forces through my lips
words and sentiments fore 60 70 my
thought. am no egotist, claiming a.
Dly oln powers psycholog cally con-
ferred upon me, nor am I g. hypocrils
/ "dFectiHq the trance to please the
credulous, nor do I disowu m medium
ship 20 hoodwink the cavil ug skeptic
and evade criticism. Revefently and
gratefully I acknowledge the assistance
of divine powers that frequently contro.
me to speak "as the spirit g vetb utter
ance," but I never consciously make
them responsible for my personal sins.
nor attribute to them n1y Ot0T prsmedi-
tated thoughts; therefore, TO accuse ue
Of affecting the trance" or OF trying 90
shift upon them "the evident personal
responsibility of bis my own
thoughts" is as unjust as it is ungeue.-
Gus, and calls for the amend honorable
from the one who prefers such au uu-
complimentary accusation. I am not
aware that, on the aforesaid occasion. 7
{ spoke with "eyes shut" Ubcugh SON e-
, times / am made to when not in good
conditions for cOulrol), for 1 distinclly y
recoIlect seeing my audience, and one
distinguished individual in particular
I to whom was turned wit. Irresistible
t power aud forced TO speak words Of al.
vice aud admouitiou, which positively g
, know were not my own, aud to hold noe
j personally responsible does violence tc
? well-kuowu laws of mediumship, aud
reflects upon my personal integrity iu
disavowiug them in way which inn
pels me TO ask the privilege Of this ex-
cuIpation. Yours for truth and justice
: DIR DEAN CLARKE.