The Missing Link In Modern Spiritualism Part 16

I may also be allowed to introduce a published letter of my own, containing some important statements which have never been contradicted.

It was from no spirit of fairness or liberality that the editor inserted this letter in his columns. Mr. Rogers (the proprietor of the house) told me that he had heard from him words for which he was liable to a suit by me for slander, and that he would back me in such a suit. All that was most honorable in Buffalo also stood by me. I took my letter down to the editor at the dinner table (he boarded at the hotel), and told him he must publish it that afternoon, and also retract his slanders, or I would have him forthwith arrested. This was aloud, in presence of all the company at the table. He submitted without resistance, and smoothed down the slander by explaining it away, and by saying that he had spoken only in jest. He published, and I was satisfied--as were also all my friends.

"BUFFALO, March 14, 1851.

"TO THE EDITOR OF _The Commercial Advertiser_:

"I gladly avail myself of the privilege you have so courteously extended to me to defend myself through your columns against the aspersions which, if suffered to pa.s.s unheeded, might bring temporary disgrace upon the cause in which we are engaged as involuntary though willing instruments of a higher power. Some time since, you gave place in the columns of your paper to a statement, made by Professors Lee, Flint, and Coventry, which they put forth to the public as an exposition of the 'Rochester Knockings.' The positions which they a.s.sumed we knew to be fallacious and unsupportable, and we at once challenged a fair and impartial investigation, believing that it was not in the nature of these gentlemen to seek our conviction of fraud contrary to evidence which I knew must convince every candid mind. It is true that when our feet were placed on cushions stuffed with shavings, and resting on our heels, there were no sounds heard, and that sounds were heard when our feet were resting on the floor; and it is just as true that if our friendly Spirits retired when they witnessed such harsh proceedings on the part of our persecutors, it was not in our power to detain them. Dr.

Lee says he heard two sounds when he held Margaretta's knees. I counted five at one time during that operation, two at another, and three at another, which made ten instead of two. But I do not consider this circ.u.mstance of any importance whatever. The spirit in which they engaged in the investigation was too palpable to be mistaken, evincing too great a determination to carry their points to admit of the possibility of a conviction. They had heard sounds made by limber _joints_, and because one person could produce one kind of sounds, made by knee-joints, they would have the community believe that all the sounds heard in our presence for the last four years were produced by thumping or snapping the _knee-joints_.

"As professional men, whose reputation is dear to them, I would like to have them tell your readers what condition our poor joints would be in by this time, after three years' constant service in this almost ceaseless operation. I will not call this quackery, but will be content to leave it to the public to pa.s.s judgment on their professional erudition. Two of the professors made little or no investigation. They were in our room but a few minutes previous to the appearance of the article in your paper.

"Professor Lee, however, was in to see us frequently, and at several times expressed great surprise, affirming, with great apparent candor, that the sounds were truly astonishing. He witnessed the answers that were received by Mr. Chase, which were all correct and very astonishing; yet he did not attempt to account for them. Now, if Dr. Lee can account for the correct answers that are given, as well as how the sounds are produced, it will gratify me very much, and I will try to account for some of the large ones. Mr. Chase called again, a day or two after that, and could get no correct answers; but this was no matter of surprise to me after his having been in close communion with _Dr. Lee_; for we are taught to believe that Spirits a.s.sociate by affinity, and if that be true, he was no doubt led into a different society of Spirits by a.s.sociating with _him_.

"I do not believe the Spirits of my dear departed friends could manifest themselves in their presence, and I would not willingly call on them to mingle in such society. The word 'Impostor' grated very harshly on my ears, and I struggle very hard to overcome the feelings which such a cruel charge will naturally excite in every human bosom where honor finds a lodgment; but, in spite of all my endeavors, I still feel like other mortals; and this feeling prompts me to demand justice at the hands of a discerning public, and especially those who have witnessed the entire success of the same experiments which proved a total failure with our Esculapian knee-buckles.

"The committees, which have frequently met since the affair with the M.D.'s, have witnessed all the experiments they attempted, and can testify to their entire success.

"One day, in presence of a number of persons, the same cushions were brought out, and we took seats, elevated, with our feet upon them, resting on our heels, when the sounds were distinctly heard by all present. Captain Rounds and Judge Burroughs were present on that occasion.

"Our feet were held from the floor by Dr. Gray and Mr. Clark, in presence of the whole committee, on the evening of the investigation made by the medical gentlemen (after they left); and the sounds were distinctly heard, which was allowed by the committee to be a far more satisfactory test, as they could distinctly hear the sounds under their feet, and feel the floor _jar_ while our feet were held nearly or quite a foot from the floor. The whole committee consisted of Dr. Gray and lady, Mr. Clark and lady, Mr. Everet and lady, Mr. Stringham, Mr.

Bristol, and two gentlemen invited by the professors.

"Most of this committee were persons we had never before seen, but we are informed they are persons whose testimony can be relied upon. I would like to have Drs. Lee, Flint, and Coventry club their professional lore and perceptive ac.u.men, and inform the public how bells are rung, and gongs made to ring out tunes, untouched by human hands; for, if you have any confidence in your own citizens, they can tell you what I now affirm is true. I will not be particular to mention the names of all the persons who have witnessed these striking phenomena, but I will refer you to the following: C. C. Bristol, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Stringham, Mr.

Stephen Dudley, Mr. L. Ramsey, Mr. Pond, Mr. Gould, and Mr. Tallmadge; and they can refer you to dozens of other respectable persons, who have witnessed the same.

"While these manifestations were going on, many of the persons above-named have held us both so fast by the feet that we could not stir without their knowledge.

"They (the Doctors) have attempted to explain one of the least important points; and, as we know, have signally failed. Now let them proceed to the more difficult points, or manfully acknowledge their failure and our innocence of fraud.

"As Dr. Lee is the editor of the _Medical Journal_ which is published in this city, and as he saw fit to publish the injurious report against our moral integrity, which was made by the visiting committee of M.D.'s., we hope he will manifest the sense of honor which his standing in society warrants us in looking for, by publishing the contradiction, which must now be evident to him, and thereby make the reparation as apparent as the injury. This would be just, if not magnanimous.

"Yours, etc., "A. Leah Fish."

To the above narrative of the Buffalo doctors' affair I append an editorial article from _The Buffalo Daily Republic_:

"THE PROFESSORS AND THE 'KNOCKINGS.'

"I think it was nearly three weeks ago that it was given out in a very authoritative tone, and, if I am not very much mistaken, the newly returned Minister from Bogota was the oracular organ used on the occasion to proclaim to the 'humbugged' citizens of Buffalo, that in twenty-four hours we should hear no more of the knockings. The news flew about the city with the rapidity of lightning, that the end of the 'rappings' was nigh, that an awful explosion was about to take place.

A lady had been found who produced noises with the knee-joints. The University of Buffalo had examined the lady's knee-joints, heard the noises, and p.r.o.nounced them identical with the sounds produced by the Rochester ladies, and, what was still more awful and astounding, the University of Buffalo were about to print their report in the Buffalo _Commercial Advertiser_. Who could withstand such a shock?--It was conceded on all hands that if the ladies could endure the University and the _Commercial Advertiser_, they need never fear any natural catastrophe. True to the prediction, out came the 'report.' Three wise men had spoken, yea, three _professors_, professors even of Materia Medica, Physiology, and of Principles and Practice of Medicine. Be it remembered, too, that the University was under the guidance of that good man, Millard Fillmore, as Chancellor, and Dr. Thomas M. Foote, late Minister to Bogota, as one of its council men--thus uniting to the collective wisdom of the professors the great head of the nation, and speaking through his immediate organ, the _Commercial Advertiser_.

Buffalo was the great battle-ground and the University the great adversary chosen to annihilate this already too wide-spread imposture.

Now, do not understand me as attributing any unkind motive to those gentlemen professors; I have no doubt they were actuated by a nice sense of duty which they owed to science and to their fellow-beings to make the expose. I could not say a word against Dr. Lee or Dr. Coventry, if I wanted to; they are strangers to most of our citizens, and only come among us periodically, and I am informed that they are very much respected so far as they have extended their acquaintance here.

Professor Flint has been a resident of this city for many years, and is regarded by those that employ him as an able pract.i.tioner of medicine.

He conducts the editorial management of the Buffalo _Medical Journal_, in the last number of which he has devoted a large portion of its columns to the matter of these 'mysterious manifestations.' I am only sorry that its circulation is so limited as not to allow the investigating public to appreciate its strictures. He intimates that the 'report' was hastily drawn up and contains errors, and in order to do the professors justice, requests the press to recopy the article as amended. There is certainly no impropriety in all that, if the University left out some material argument, in their hurry to explode a humbug of such vast magnitude. The press can do no less than put them right. But is it a fair mode of warfare? I am exceedingly ignorant of professional etiquette in these matters, and as a friend of the manifestations, I wish to ask the unprejudiced public if it is right that the University, after having had their load and fire, should insist that because the first charge did not bring down the game, they should be allowed another shot without some preliminary arrangements? The request is modest enough, and perhaps, taken in connection with the _fact_ that the University got on to its knees before the mediums, in order the more readily to detect the muscular sensation of the knee-joints of the ladies, is a sufficient offset to what might seem an unreasonable afterthought.

"The code of honor among gentlemen has settled the question, I believe, that the first fire, whether mortal or not, is sufficient evidence of courage, and that beyond that, the question of honor is merged into a malignant desire to kill. If the University is satisfied that they have exposed the humbug, why ask to bring in new proof? Is it because the ladies, instead of leaving town in twenty-four hours, have staid as many days? Is it because the public are more anxious than ever to see and learn more of these mysterious manifestations? Is it because there is more intense interest than ever elicited, the more the subject is investigated? Is it because intelligent men are giving the matter consideration? I ask, what causes so much disquietude in the minds of the professors? Have they shot off their gun too quick? Are they sensible that public opinion is not impressed with the belief in their a.s.sertions and their expose? Are they displeased because the ladies keep staying in spite of their mandate to go home? The University has taken up the cudgel to beat the hydra, and as fast as one head falls a dozen new ones spring out (or would if they could succeed in knocking one off). The manifestations, instead of being content with mere knocking on the floor, have commenced the ringing of bells (some large enough to tire the arms of even professors), pounding under the table, so as to leave visible manifestations, sufficient to satisfy a dozen universities of its physical ability, moving furniture, playing on musical instruments, and various other demonstrations equally wonderful and satisfactory to all who see them."

From one of Mr. Greeley's letters of this trying time, I extract the following: "Be faithful. Remember how short the time of life is. Submit to every lawful investigation. While you are being tested by the doctors, to prove you make the sounds by snapping the knee-joints, insist on having a committee of ladies appointed to hold your feet, and for ever silence the blasting charge of toe rapping, or it will cover you with a cloud of obloquy from which you may not recover in years, if ever."

E. W. Cap.r.o.n, who stood by us in our Rochester trials and investigations, and who delivered the first lecture on the subject of Modern Spiritualism, was, at this time, editor of the Providence, R. I., _Daily Mirror_. From him I also received the following note: "I have not seen the whole of the article referred to, but to me, knowing what I do, the theories of knee-pan, or knee-joint, are equally ridiculous. There never has been a time when you could so completely kill all opposition as the present opportunity offers, if you go through the fiery ordeal and come out unscathed, _as I know you will_, for I know you are true.

You have stood fiery trials before, and have always triumphed."

After having met the several investigating committees, and submitted to all the requirements of the public at large, amidst a host of friends who came to the Phelps House to bid us farewell, with many who accompanied us to the departing train, we left them with mutual feelings of regret, but amid their congratulations and prayers for our future prosperity.

We had come to Buffalo for a visit of a fortnight. In a financial point of view, we had never met with an equal success. Not a few of the princ.i.p.al gentlemen of the city sent us parting gifts of congratulation on a n.o.ble scale of munificence, as tributes of sympathy for what we had had to bear, and of grat.i.tude for the demonstrative proofs of immortality it had been ours to bring to their experimental _knowledge_.

The day appointed for our departure our hotel apartments proved insufficient to entertain our friendly visitors who came to bid us adieu. The public parlors, being kindly a.s.signed to us for the purpose by the proprietor, were filled to overflowing. Never can I forget that day, nor those dear and n.o.ble friends.

And thus ended the short-lived apparent triumph of "the Buffalo Doctors."

CHAPTER XIV.

BUFFALO (_Continued._)

LETTERS FROM JOHN E. ROBINSON AND WELCOME WHITTAKER.

During the progress of all this, our Buffalo Campaign, it is scarcely worth while to say that I received no end of letters of sympathy and encouragement. The number must have counted by thousands who had by this time witnessed for themselves, not merely the comparatively small sounds of the ordinary rapping near our persons, but sometimes great knockings, as by powerful arms and heavy hammers, on all parts of rooms and even outside of them; together with ringing of bells, moving and lifting of tables, etc.; to say nothing of the intelligent communications which identified their Spirit friends, etc. All such persons therefore knew that the Buffalo doctoral theory of _knee-joints_ was impossible and absurd, and felt no uneasiness about the result of any real investigations. But many of them naturally sympathized with us under the hara.s.sing annoyance in which we were placed by the promulgation of even such a ridiculous theory, under such high-sounding "scientific"

authority.

From these letters I select the following.

LETTER FROM JOHN E. ROBINSON.

ROCHESTER, February 26, 1851.

"DEAR LEAH:

"I received this evening your note (of rather diminutive proportions), written day before yesterday. Having been on the lookout for a letter for several days, it was very acceptable. It is written in a hopeful and encouraging vein, and, so far as what is expressed relates to myself, I can take no exceptions to its language. I should think it dictated in some intervening hour of quiet; one of the few which pa.s.s above and tranquillize for the time the unresting surface of your daily life. Such hours, let them be pa.s.sed when they may, come and go with all of us; and the dial finger that marks their exit, registers also the blessings which they leave upon the heart. Impulsive as you are; accustomed as you are to excitement, and possessing (as you do) a woman's fondness for the glare of the world's gilded exterior; there is a part of your nature better than the rest, which would often shut out from the chamber of its occupancy those noisy and obtrusive influences which corrode its brightness and rob it of its rest.

"That is the part of your being (the Leah) whom I would oftenest wish to have audience with; and in such hours as I speak of I would consider it a luxury equal to 'Wenham ice' in the torrid zone, or a shower of vertical sunbeams on an Arctic traveller--to _knock_ at the door of that inner chamber, and finding entrance, to sit down at the table of your heart and commune with you face to face. I have turned down the leaves in my memory whereon the records of such brief communings have been made, and it is no small pleasure to refer to them, as I often do, during these days of denial. So seldom it is now-a-days when the Spirit I would talk to answers my signal with the words 'at home.'

"We (your friends here) want you _and the Spirits_--who seem to think their bread-and-b.u.t.ter depends on their paying court (in especial) to you and yours--to come to us once in a while--like the chance sunlight that struggles through the bars of the prisoner's window to reveal the gladness of the upper world--and rub the rust from our chains.

"You ought to come home next week, at any rate, even if you are determined on going West again. And really, I think you ought to visit Cleveland and Cincinnati before long. You would find many good people in both places, who would rejoice to see you and Margaretta, and who are looking out for your advent there with no little anxiety.

"Mrs. Bush read to me last evening a portion of a letter from her brother, resident, I believe, in the latter city, in which he urges her to come there and speaks of things connected with Spiritualism somewhat in detail. I observe Mr. Cogshall's book is noticed very fairly in the _National Era_ (of Washington, D. C.), a journal of high character for literary attainments. I will copy the notice as follows: 'We have read this book, and have been pleased with its style, and impressed with the sincerity of its author. Still we do not believe. Nothing short of sight and hearing can convince us that the souls of the departed are really rapping in such an audible and startling manner on the wall which divides us from the Spiritual world--really moving chairs and tables and ringing bells, and otherwise disturbing domestic order and quiet. Yet, according to this little history, some Spirits justify themselves for their sudden incursions into our territory, by giving comfort to the mourner and sweet a.s.surances of a love which could not die.'

"If all be an imposture, who can measure the depth of that depravity which trifles thus with the holiest affections, aspirations, and sorrows? Greeley in a late _Tribune_ has a rich joke. He says: 'Some brainless editor out in Milwaukee not long since published the fact that he had an interview with the Spirit of Captain West, of the steamer, who reported that the n.o.ble steamer struck an iceberg and went to the bottom of the ocean with all on board.' Milwaukee is a great place!

Our George (Willets) thinks 'that Spirit took some trouble to spread the news.' It is presumable that it was one of the Auburn Apostolic brethren. What a pity that Spirits (some of them) are not less given to lying. However, if they are capable of falsehood (as we well know some of them are), it is better they should show their hands, else their communications might work much evil. The _good_ shines out with a more glorious brightness in contrast with the darkness of its opposite.