National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-23
A Pleasing Mystery.

Horace Mann says that the proper study
of mankind is man. This is a great truth.
There is no occupation to which the mind
can turn so full of fascination as the eff
fort to conceive the relations which we
bear to our fellow-creatures, and the mys-
terious powers and influences which we
exert over them and they over us. Our
consciousness is continually ON rowing
commission, tracing the effect of our per-
sonality upon others, and analyzing
their influence upon us. And
thus, through multiplicity of COM
parsons, apprehensions, and conceits,
so natural in their movements as
not to awaken our own attention, we go
on with the study of man, finding it, i'll
spite of ourselves, not only the proper
study, but our unavoidable and inevitable
occupation. And again, when OCCASION
ally some wonderful principle or motive
common to humanity is disclosed, with
what eagerness the intelligent mind
seeks to grasp it, and what bewitching
charm there is in the consideration
of the possibilities to which it may
lead. The public of this city is
just now greatly interested in the ex-
hibitions of a public lecturer, who dis
plays remarkable power in his direct in
fuence over the minds of certain subjects
in his audiences. There is little room to
question but that he has an occult power
which is mysterious and wonderful.
Hundreds of people have been brought
under its influence, and none who have
so been brought dispute the effects. 1t
seems to be the operations of dominat-
ing mind controlling its subjects to- its
will, and making them move within
certain sphere in obedience to its whims.
These persons become the puppets or ac-
tors in drama, the details of which are
in the operating mind of the exhibitor,
and he can make them represent all the
usual emotions and actions at his will.
There is delightful charm in this eXhi-
bition-a charm which finds its source
in our first thought-the abiding interest
we have in each other. 1t is new page
in the study of man. But the question
at once arises, what is this power? Pro-
fessor Carpenter claims that it is faculty
which reaches in him wonderful develop
ment by practice that it is, if we under
stand his claims, a common possession
of mankind, in greater or less degree, and
subject to development by cultivation.
This may be so; and if it is, it certainly
offers a novel and interesting field
for study and charming pros
pect of augmented powers. But,
like most novelties of this nature, it is
subject to misapprehension and abuse.
Some, no doubt, will labor to construct q
religion or belief out of the mystery, and
certain persons may be unsettled thereby.
We do not think there is any evidence
Of anything more than mental control
over the physical conditions of the sub
ject. He does nothing more or less than
he might do without the intervention of
the operator. No inspiration is received
or impaired. His will-power is SUBJ
jected, that is all. Now, this may be a
very natural thing, mysterious only be-
cause it is little understood or thought
about. 1t may be the ultimate result of
the influence of mind over mind, the
minor effects of which are seen in our
power of making others laugh or weep
with us in our joys or sorrows. There is
no philosophy in it; simply singular
natural fact. But in any aspect it is a
fascinating study.
THE colored Republicans of Maryland
hold convention on the 24th instant, at
Douglass Institute, Baltimore. We trust
this convention will see the value of sink
ing personal claims in the good of the
whole party. Much more is to be gained
by defining their rights in pursuit of the
advancement of the whole race than in
clamoring for place in a few offices. The
former course will raise large question.
The latter will settle a small one.