Warsaw Message/June 10, 1843/Page 1

THE WARSAW MESSAGE. --- PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING IN WARSAW, ILLINOIS, BY GREGG AND PATCH. --- TERMS. For 1 Year, . . . $2.00 For 6 Months, . . . 1.00 For 3 Months, . . . . .50 Single Nos. . . . . .66 --- ADVERTISEMENTS Conspicuously inserted at the following rates-- One Square, (12 lines or under) For the first insertion . . $1 00 Each subsequent one . . .25 A liberal discount to yearly advertisers. For the Warsaw Message. MIND AND MATTER. THE SUBSTANCE OF A LECTURE DELIVERED BEFORE THE . ........ SOCIETY OF .......... COLLEGE. --- PART I. Man is a complex being. The clements of his constitution are Mind and Matter. How these are connected, it is not for us to understand; but to determine the relative influence of the one upon the other is a subject fraught with the highest interest and importance. I shall, therefore, call your attention to the mutual influence of the Mental and Physical constitutions. The first proposition which I shall discuss, is, that we can know nothing of Mind, considered independently of Matter. The subjects of all our knowledge, are said by Philosophers, to be either matter or mind. Of the properties of the former we may acquire a knowledge by our external senses; and of the latter, it is said we may obtain some knowledge, by reflecting upon our consciousness. From the latter of these propositions, however, I totally dissent; and affirm it to be my candid belief, that we can know nothing of the powers, susceptibilities, and capacities, of the Immaterial Principle within us. The only subject of our knowledge here, is Matter. With regard to Mind, we may witness its manifestations, and we may acquire some knowledge of the organs whereby it mani fests itself; yet considered independently of matter, there are no phenomena belonging to it, which are either the subjects of our knowledge or investigation. The assumption made by mental philosophers, that we can obtain any knowledge of the mind, abstractly considered, by reflecting upon our consciousness, is altogether gratuitous. For, if we should ask, what are the subjects of consciousness, they would answer, our thoughts and feelings. Now, it becomes an important question, which needs a solution, whether our thoughts and feelings are acts of the mind, performed without any agency on the part of the body. For if the physical organs are in any way concerned in the generation of our thoughts, then, by reflecting upon them, we gain no knowledge of the phenomena of an immaterial mind, but, simply, of the results which follow the connection of mind and matter. It has never been denied, but that the mind and body are so intimately connected, that the one cannot exist, during life, separately from the other; and the point of union is admitted by all reasonable philosophers, to be the brain. In order that the mind may act independently of the body, it is presupposed that it may have an existence independently of the body; but if you sever them so as to give the one a separate existence from the other, you destroy life. If, then, the mind cannot exist--during life--independently of the body, it certainly cannot act independently of it: and if the mind cannot act independently of the body, the body must perform an important office in every act of the mind, during life. Our thoughts, then, are the acts of mind, performed through the agency of matter. If the brain be the organ of the mind, the mind must manifest itself tho' this organ; nor can it perform any act without its instrumentality. And, if, as we have seen, the mind performs no action without employing a physical organ, must not every act of the mind be modified by the state or condition of that organ? If the organ be not perfect, can the manifestation be perfect? If the state of that organ be varied, must not the manifestation be varied also? By reflecting, then, upon our consciousness, we gain no knowledge of the powers, susceptibilities and capacity of the mind: and why? because--no matter what may be its powers, we can gain no knowledge of them, only through a physical organ; if that organ be defective, the manifestation of power must also be defective. For aught we know, the mind may be infinite in power, capacity and susceptibility;--it may only be limited by the nature of the physical organ with which it is connected during life. Again: before mental philosophers attempt to gain any knowledge of the properties of mind, by reflecting upon consciousness, they should prove that the mind is at all capable of consciousness, independent of the body. If consciousness be purely a state of the mind, how, I ask, can it be totally suspended by certain states of the boy? Why are we not always conscious? Why is consciousness suspended during sleep? Why, by certain forms of disease, is consciousness destroyed? Why do injuries to the body frequently suspend it? We know that even whilst life exists, we may be rendered unconscious, by accidents which affect only our physical constitution. Dr. Brown observes, that our consciousness is nothing more than our thoughts and sensations themselves, which could not be thoughts and sensations, if they were not

felt. I ask, then, if our consciousness can be suspendsd by certain injuries or states of the body, cannot our thoughts and sensations, which, according to Dr. Brown, are identical with consciousness, be suspended also, by certain states or conditions of the body? If, then, our consciousness depends upon the state of our bodies,--and if we can know nothing of our own thoughts and sensations only through consciousness, certainly all we can know of mind is in its connection with matter. Every system of Mental Philosophy, therefore, which professes to treat of mind without regard to its connection with matter, must necessarily be defective in its fundamental principles. But, perhaps it may be asked: If the soul is incapable of consciousness, when separated from the body, how can it be punished or rewarded? I answer, that we have no evidence of a future state of rewards and punishments, other than the Sacred Scriptures; and that whenever they speak of a future state, it is always mentioned in connection with the resurrection of the body; from which I take it to be a fair inference, that without the body the soul can neither enjoy felicity or endure pain. For if it can, then I ask, why should the body be raised? Why moreover, is it that whenever our Savior speaks of the soul in a future state, he always speaks of it in connection with the bodily organ,--as in the case of Lazarus and the rich man, where the tongue, the bosom, &c., are mentioned. Gentlemen may call this speculaiton. It may be so: but deny the resurrection of the body, and you deny that there is either hell or heaven. I could speculate further upon this subject but I would be invading the province of the Divine. --- Beautiful Sentiment.--The following is taken from an address delivered at Urbana, Ohio, by John A. Bryan, Esq., present Assistant Post Master General: 'A mothers love! How thrilling the sound. The angel spirit that watched over our infant years, and cheered us with her smiles! O, how faithfully does memory cling to the fast fading mementoes of a parent's home, to remind us of the sweet counsels of a mother's tongue. And oh, how instinctively do we hang over the early scenes of our boyhood, brightened by the recollection of that waking eye that never closed while a single wave of misfortune or danger sighed around her child. Like the lone star of the heavens, in the deep solitude of nature's night, she sits the presiding divinity of the family mansion, its delight and its charm, its stay and its hope, when all around her is overshadowed with the gloom of despondency and despair. The cherished object of her affection his risen to manhood's years, and exchanged the sportive morn of being, for the busy and stirring adventures of the world; and yet, wherever he may wander--to whatever clime or country, inclination or duty, may invite his wayward footsteps; whether facing the wintry storm, or buffeting the mountain snows--the undying prayer of a mother's love lingers on his path, and sheds its holiest incense upon his pillow.' --- Death of Washington's Aid.--The Boston papers of yesterday announce the death of the Hon. Hodijah Baylies, at Dayton, on the 25th ult. in the 87th year of his age. He was engaged in two of the most illustrious events of the revolution. Judge Baylies was educated at Harvard College, on leaving which, in 1777, he joined the American army, as aid to Gen. Lincoln, and he served through the war, during the latter part of which he was one of the aids of Washington, being recommended by his friend Gen. Lincoln, when the latter became Secretary of War. Probably no officer of the Revolution survives, who like Judge Baylies, was present at the surrender both at Saratoga and at Yorktown. For many years he was Judge of Probate of the county of Bristol, being appointed in 1810, and resigned on the approach of his eightieth year. He had been collector of the U. S. Customs, from the establishment of the Federal System of Revenue until the year preceding that when he was made Judge. In every public situation, he was worthy of the confidence of the Government and People whom he served; in private life the Christian character was always in alliance with the gentleman. An odd Custom--It appears that it is the custom in some parts of Mexico, for young ladies desirous of husbands to throw a stone at the saint set up in front of the church, their fortunes depending upon the stone's hitting him. Madame Calderon de la Barca, in her work on Mexico, relates that during the progress of a promenade, she passed the invirons of an old church, which looked as black and as dismal from this cause as if the prophet Jeremiah had passed through the city denouncing wo upon the houses and dwellers thereof. It is said the ladies never miss the mark as they take care to practice a great deal before the momentous trial.

A TALE OF THE SEA. --- From the Knickerbocker. THE PRIVATEER. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE 'ESCAPE,' 'JACK MARLINSPIKE'S YARN,' ETC. ETC. --- It was one of those beautiful days which all who navigate the ocean have experienced within the tropics. The sun had just risen, sparkling with freshness from his watry bed, and was slowly wheeling through a host of gorgeous clouds, that floated majestically along the horizon; an invigorating influence prevaded the scene, and a fine breeze, that came sweeping across the sea, promised to preserve the balmy and delicious temperature that the cooling dews of the previous night had imparted to the atmosphere. That particular part of the Carribean Sea to which we would direct the reader's attention was, on the day described, enlivened by the appearance of a fleet of vessels of war in hot pursuit of a clipper brig, which held the advance at about the distance of five miles. This body of ships comprised a part of the British West India squadron, and had been despatched by the admiral of the station to Halifax, in order to render more efficient protection to their possessions and commerce in that quarter, as the depredations of the American privateers were daily becoming more bold and frequent. This squadron had been sailing in close order during the night, but at the time our scene opens, it had been broken in consequence of the commodore throwing out signal to make all sail, and endeavor to come up with the case. Each ship of the fleet, therefore, in accordance with the order, made all sail, the swifter vessels were ranging ahead, while the duller sailers were observed dropping astern, and taking their stations in the rear. The ship of the commander of the squadron, a frigate of the first class, held her place in about the centre of the fleet; three heavy corvettes brought up the rear, while the advance was maintained by a body of smaller vessels. A beautiful eighteen gun brig, that had that morning formed one of the rear line, now led the extreme van. She had passed every vessel of the squadron successively, and was now gradually dropping them with a speed that held out every prospect of overhauling the chase. The wind was right aft, and each ship had her studding sails out on each side. Piles of white canvas rose above the dark hulls that loomed beneath them, and the surface of the sea seemed one vast expanse of snowy pyramids. Leaving the squadron to make the best of their way, the reader must imagine himself upon the quarter-deck of the little brig, upon whose capture they were all so eagerly bent. A single glance at her arrangements, and those who conducted them, would bespeak her a privateeer; indeed, were that good looking fellow, who has just laid down the trumpet and taken up the spy-glass, attired in uniform, the brig might be easily mistaken for a national vessel. She differs from one in no other particular. Six beautiful long guns protrude from either side, while a heavier one revolves in a circle amidships. The decks tell tales of holy stone and sand, and the neatness everywhere apparent, indicates the reign of discipline. A row of bright boarding pikes are confined to the main boom by gaskets of white line, while a quantity of cutlasses and battle-axes glitter in the beckets that are fixed purposely for their reception in the intermediate spaces of the battery. Rack of round shot frown from beneath each gun carriage, and boxes of grape and canister, with an attendant match tub, are arranged at regular intervals along the deck. Every belaving pin is bright, and the brass work of the wheel and binnacles show in elegant and rich contrast with the mahogany of which they are constructed. And mark the gay healthy frontspieces of the sturdy tars who line the decks--a noble set of fellows, who to echo their sentiments, would go to the very devil for their officers. Observe that veteran; how respectfully he touches his hat, as the commander ascended from the cabin, and what an elegant looking man is Captain Buntline--so tall, and yet so graceful--so majestic, and yet so prepossessing. I like those black whiskers; they set off his complexion to admiration. His countenance, it is true, is somewhat stern, but it is not a repulsive expression; it savors more of dignity; and that jet black eye!--mark how it flashes, as he sends his gaze aloft to ascertain if all there is right. See!--he is addressing that young man with the glass, who is his first lieutenant, and, at present officer of the deck. He smiles; did you ever see a man's countenance undergo so complete a change? All that sternness has vanished, and his features are beautifully animated. 'Do we leave them, Mr. Trennel? Those rearmost ships appear to be hull down?' 'Yes, Sir, they are poor sailers,' answered the lieutenant; 'but there's a brig among 'em that has been overhauling us since sunrise. The fellow moves like a witch; I've been watching him for tha last hour, and have

seen him pass every vessel in the squadron; another hour, and the varmint will be pitching his old iron into us.' 'Let him cone on!' rejoined the commandor, eying the object of this colloquy through the telescope, 'we could match with two of them; but you are correct; the villian is coming down wing-and-wing, and gaining each moment upon us. He must be hungry for a fight.' 'Yes rejoined the other, 'I expect her skipper has been reading the 'Life of Nelson,' and feels an inclination to immortalize himself.--He'll be less eager however, before we get through with him.' 'I did'nt think there was anything in his majesty's service that could shew the Rover her stern before,' remarked Captain Buntline. 'Our copper wants cleaning,' rejoined the lieutenant, 'and our sails are old, and hold no more wind than so much bobbinet; besides, Sir, I think that fellow is Baltimore built--some slaver they've caught on the coast of Guinea--or perhaps some unfortunate devil of a privateer; those ten-gun channel gropers don't run the line off the reel at that rate, in such a catspaw as this.' 'Here Bobstay,' said the commander to an old quarter-master, 'take the glass and see what you can make of that fellow.' The veteran divested his mouth of a huge chew of tobacco, and bitching up his trowsers, commenced scanning the Englishman with an eye proverbial for its actuenes and experience. 'That 'are is a mob-towner, Sir, as the levtenants say, and coming down with a big bone in her mouth, too.' 'Why are you so positive about her being a Baltimore-built, Bobstay?' asked the commander. 'Because, Sir,' answered the tar, 'there's no end to the sticks them fellows put in their crafts; and besides if ye'll observe, she has'nt half the beam of them ten-gun tubs; her yards are square, too, and she's no roach to her sails.' 'Your observations are conclusive, Bobstay,' said the commander; 'but can we serve her out, think you?' The old tar smiled at the question, and replenish his mouth with a foot or two of pigtail, replied: 'Ay, Sir, two such fellows, and two more in thirty minutes afterwards.' 'Go to your duty,' said the commander, good humoredly; you've turned boaster in your old days.' At meredian the English brig was six or seven miles in advance of the headmost ship of the squadron, and not more than two in the rear of the chase. Although Captain Buntline had determined on fighting her, he still continued under a press of sail, for the purpose of drawing his adversary at such a distance from the main body as to preclude the possibility of their interference in the engagement. Another hour, however, brought the Englishman within gun shot; and determined to secure every advantage of circumstances, he put his helm down, and bringing his battery to bear fired a broadside into the still retreating Rover. It was not until that moment that Buntline could ascertain the force of his antagonist; but a single glance, previous to her filling away, convinced him of her superiority. 'Take in the light-sails, and haul up the courses!' said the commander of the privateer: and another moment beheld the gallant brig moving along under two topsails. ,Beat to quarters, and open the magazine!' 'Ay, ay, Sir,' was the reply; and the loud roll of the drum was heard summoning every man from the depths and heights of the vessel to their respective stations. In a few moments, the order to cast loose the guns followed, and every man commenced getting the iron machines ready for the work of death, with the alacrity and good humor peculiar to a sailor, and with an expedition and regularity that was the result of much previous experience in like matters. The tompanions were taken out--the train and side tackles cut adrift--the pumps rigged, and the deck sanded, 'fore and aft, to prevent them from becoming slippery with blood; cutlasses, pistols, and boarding pikes were placed in convenient situations about the decks; the ports were triced up, the hatches closed, with the exception of a small opening, left for the purpose of passing powder from below; the the loggerheads were heated, matches burned beside every gun, and in short, every preparation was made that such cases render expedient. The Englishman had not taken in any of his canvass, and was consequently rapidly nearing the Rover. It was the mutual desire of her commanders that their vessels should be brought into close action--the Englishman from a wish to decide the contest before the squadron could be close enough to assist, and thereby rob him of his anticipated glory, and the American from a knowledge that his escape depended upon his success in disabling the only vessel in the fleet, that was his superior in sailing. At length but a quarter

of a mile entervened between the two ships; and the Briton commenced handing his light sails; studding sails, royals and courses, were successively taken in, and the pursuer appeared under nearly the same canvass as the chase. 'Starboard!' shouted Buntline to the man at the wheel, as he beheld the bows of his adversary sweep gracefully to port. 'Starboard, sir,' answered the quarter master. and the Rover's broadside was brought parallel to that of the Englishman, while at the same time the stars and stripes ascended with a graceful flutter to her main peak. A volume of smoke and flames burst from the bulwarks of the Briton, and his iron crashed fearfully through the spars and rigging of the privateer. Although Captain Buntline's manœvre prevented his vessel from being raked by his adversary's fire, it could not avert its entire destruction; and to his sorrow he beheld his main-top mast, with its attendant spars go by the board. A deep shade settled upon his brow, at this unexpected calamity, and the blank of doubt and uncertainty grew upon his features. The success of the Englishman's broadside, had completely destroyed his plan of operation, and he stood upon the quarter deck of his crippled ship in painful reflection as to his future course. This suspense was but momentary; a thought dawned upon his mind--and applying the trumpet to his mouth, he gave the order to the impatient seaman not to fire, but to make ready for more sail. 'Leave your quarters, men,' said he; 'put your helm up, Bobstay--man the fore-tuck and sheets--lay aloft, topmen, and clear the wreck. Stir yourselves, my livelies! stand by to set both fore topmast studding sails. This sudden and unlooked for change in the state of affairs surprised, but did not disconcert the crew, so great was the confidence they reposed in him; and they sprang forward to execute his orders with an alacrity that was itself, under such circumstances, a proud elogium upon the bravery and judgement of their commander. The brig was again before the wind, more canvass was spread along the booms, and the Rover once more resumed the course she had steered during the morning. A wild and exulting huzza came down from the Englishman, as her antagonist filled away and made sail without firing a gun; but the scornful smile that carried the lips of Buntline indicated too well the deception of appearances, and imparted a stronger confidence in the breast of his seamen. His character for bravery was too well established to be doubted by them, and they only stood impatient to hear the next order that should issue from his trumpet. 'The dogs shall have less cause for merriment before nightfall,' muttered Buntline, as another shout came down from the Englishman, who had also filled away, and was now crowding all sail in chase. 'Muster aft here, my men; tumble aft here, every one of you; come down from aloft, and up from below; bo'son's mate, send the people aft.' 'My lads,' said Buntline, addressing his hundred followers, 'it is fit that you should be acquainted with the fact of my being bearer of a message from the French Admiral o the West India station, to the Government of the United States, which, my men, is of vital importance to the interests of our country. I do not tell you this, to stimulate you to any greater exertion, but merely as a reciprocation of that confidence which I am proud to believe you repose in me. I know you will stand by me to the last--I have tested it. In the present disabled state of the Rover, it will be impossible to escape from yonder squadron, now rapidly overhauling us; but, my lads, I have a plan to propose, the successful execution of which will crown us with success. Listen it.' The plan was then revealed; and when Buntline had done speaking, three hearty cheers evinced the readiness with which the crew entered into it. 'Men,' resumed Buntline, 'the signal will be Liberty!--and when I give it forth, let every one of you do as I have directed. Now, my lads don't forget the word, Liberty!' Groups of men were now seen spiking the cannon 'fore and aft, so as to render them perfectly useless. The muskets were all thrown overboard, and the powder, with the exception of what each man carried about him, totally destroyed; this done, the crew armed themselves, and mustering aft, awaited the further orders of their commander. In the mean time, the Englishman was rapidly advancing, with the intention of carrying the American by boarding. He was not ten yards astern, and at every moment gaining on the Rover. Buntline stood watching him as a tiger does his prey, scarcely breathing in the intensity of his interest, and awaiting with a painful suspense the moment when he might put his daring scheme into operation. The whistle oft he be'son'smate was heard on board the Englishman, and the cry of 'Away there, boarders away!' told their opponents how to expect them. Buntline cast a quick and anxious glance upon his own saemen, who stood grasping their cutlasses

with an emotion as intense as his own. It was a moment of fearful excitement on board either vessel, during which nothing was heard but the ripple of the water as they sped along. At length the dark shadow of the Briton's canvass fell upon the deck of the Rover, another moment, and they were yard arm and yard arm. 'Sheer to!' whispered Buntline to the man at the wheel--'sheer to!' The bows of the privateer slightly deviated, and her antagonist was within three yards of her. Clank went the grapnels of the Englishman, and both vessels were brought broadside and broadside. 'Board!' shouted the British Captain; and two thirds of their crew sprang over the bulwarks and upon the decks of the Rover, without the slightest opposition. Buntline gave one glance to the dark forms of the foe men that crowded the forecastle; and applying the trumpet to his mouth, thundered forth the word 'Liberty!' In an instant the Americans, who had gathered abaft the mainmast, leaped upon the hammocks and netting and sprang like so many cats upon the deck and in the rigging of the Englishman. Like a torrent they swept away the few that had remained on board of her; and now ranging themselves along the bulwarks they prepared to repel the enemy as they attempted to regain their own ship. 'Cast off the grapnels!' shouted Buntline; and that loud order awoke the Britons from the stupor of amazement in which they were thrown by this sudden and singular movement of their opponents. They mounted the bulwarks and endeavored to regain their own vessel; but they were every where met with opposing cutlasses. In vain they pressed--in vain they thronged; they were every where driven back upon the Rover's decks, or pushed into the sea. They rushed frantically forward, but their hopes were baseless; they might as well have attempted to force a wall of iron, as to beat back that rank of heroes. Some of their opponents seized a huge spar, and were pushing the two vessels apart. They separated--they were yards asunder--and the unscathed English brig, with her Yankee crew, forged ahead, leaving the shattered, harmless hulk of the Rover in possession of a hundred distracted Britons! Three of the wildest huzzas that ever yet rang upon a startled ocean, burst from the lips of the victorious Americans, as the star spangled banner unfurled itself from the peak of their prize; then pile after pile of canvass rose upon her tapering spars, and when the sun that night sought his ocean bed, a wide waste of blue water rolled between the state prize of the Americans, and the shattered wreck of their once gallant privateer. --- Singular Phenomenon.--One of those wonders of nature so rarely witnessed was seen yesterday by several in the city, whose station and respectability place their testimony beyond dispute. One of the gentlemen who was fortunate enough to have seen what we are about to narrate, is our informant. The fog which yesterday overhung the city, spread in dense volumes over the valley which lies between the town and the heights towards the Northwest. Early in the afternoon, a lady residing in St. Lewis street, had her attention drawn, by one of her children, who was gazing from the window, to the resemblance of a ship in the air. The appearance presented was that of a miniature vessel--a brig--beating to windward with all sail set, and apparently floating on the surface of the mist. So distinctly visible was it that the spectators, for it was seen at the same time by several others, could trace the shrouds and the smallest of the rigging. The mainsail appeared to be clewed up in three places. What rendered the sight still more beautiful, was the shadow of the vessel as in the water, the outline, the masts &c., being reversed, as when thrown from a vessel actualy moving in the water. This phenomenon was again seen towards evening, but less distinctly visible. It appeared in the fog in the valley below Charlesbourg.--Quebec Mercury. --- Singular Phenomenon.--The Greenville (Tennessee) Miscellany of the 12th ult. says: On Sunday night last, about 8 o'clock, there was seen in the South-west sky, a luminous ball, to appearance, two feet in circumference, constantly emitting small meteors from one or the other side of it. It appeared in brightness to outrival the great luminary of day. On its first appearance it was stationary one or two minutes; then as quick as thought, it rose apparently thirty feet, and paused--then fell to the point from which it started, and continued this motion for about fifteen times. Then it moved horizontally about the same distance, and for nearly the same length of time. At length it assumed its first position; then rose again perpendicularly about twelve feet, and remained somewhat stationary, continuing to grow less for an hour and a quarter, when it entirely disappeared. --- 'I heard a Pharoah this morning,' said a country man to us, as we were wending our way to the city. 'Oh!' said another, 'I dug up near upon a bushel of them in my garden, so that they will soon be here,' and from this we gathered, that by figure of speech in question the locusts were typified, and sure enough they are appearing,--the seventeen year locusts as they are called,--to devour the green things of the earth, and to serve in turn as fodd for hogs, and such other quadrupeds, and such plumed bipeds as have a fancy that way.--N. Y. American.