The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-09
Trial of the Insurrectionists-
Brown Sentenced to be Hung
His Speech --Coppee found
Guilty.

CHARLESTON, Va, Nov. 2.-Russell and Sin
net, attorneys from Boston, reached here to-
day, Cook was brought before the Magistrates
Court but waived an examination. He was
committed for trial.
COppee's trial was resumed. No witnesses
were called for the defence. Mir. Harding
opened the argument for the Commonwea ealth,
and Hoyt and Griswold followed for defendant.
Mr.. Hunter closed for the prosecution. The
speeches were of marked ability. Mr.. Girls
void asked for several instructions which
were granted by the Court. The jury then
retired. Brown was then brought into the
Court House, which was Immediately throng-
ed. The Court gave its decision on the mo-
tion to arrest Judgment; overruling the objec-
tions made. On the objection that treason
cannot be committed against the state except
10y citizen, it ruled that whenever allegiance
was due treason may he committed. Most of
the States have passed laws against treason.
The objections to the form in which the
verdict was rendered were also regarded as
insufficient.
The Clerk then asked Brown whether he had
anything to say why sentence should not be
pronounced, when Brown stood up, and in
clear and distinct voice, said
have, may it please the court, few words
to say. In tho first place deny everything
but what have all along admitted, the de-
sign on my part to free the slaves. l intend
ed certainly to have made clean thing of that
matter, as did last winter when went into
Missouri, and there took slaves without the
swapping of gun on either side, and moved
them through the country and finally left
them in Canada. l designed to have.done the
same thing again on larger scale-that was
all intended. l never did intend to commit
murder or treason, or to destroy property or
incite slaves to rebellion, or to make an in
surrection. l have another objection, and
that is, that it is unjust that 1 should suffer
such penalty. Had interfered in the man
ner which l admit, and which admit has been
fairly proved. for 1 admire the truthfulness
and candor of the greater portion of the wit
nesses who have testified IN this case; had
so interfered i'll behalf of the rich, the power
full, the intelligent, the so-called great, in
behalf of their friends either father, mother,
brother, sister, wife or children; or any of that
class, and suffered and sacrificed what have
in this interference, it would have been all
right. Every man in this count would have
deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than
punishment.
This Court acknowledges as 1 suppose the
validity of the law of God. l see a book kis-
sed here which suppose to be the Bible, or at
least the New TestamaDt-that teaches me
L
should do to me should do even so to them;
it teaches me further, to remember them that
are in bonds as bound with them. endeavor-
ell to act up to that instruction-Isa say am yet
too y oung to understand that God is any re-
specter of persons. l believe that to have
interfered as have done; as have always
freely admitted have done, in behalf of his
despised poor was no wrong, but right. Now
it is deemed necessary that should forfeit my
life for the furtheralce of the ends of justice
and mingle my blood further with the blood of
millions in this slave country, whose rights
are disregarded by wicked, cruel and unjust
enactments. l admit, so let 1t be done.
Let me say one word further-I feel entirely
satisfied with the treatment have had on my
trial; considering all the circumstances it has
been more generous than l expected, but l
feel no consciousness of guilt. have stated
from the first what was my intentions, and
what was not. l never had any design against
the life of any person; nor any disposition to
commit treason, or excite the slaves to rebel,
or make any general insurrection l never en-
couraged any man to do so, but always dis
couraged any idea Of that kind. Let me say
also in regard to the statements made by some
Of those connected with me. l hear it has
been stated by some of them that / have in
duced them to join me, but the contrary is true.
do not say this to injure them, but regretting
their weakness. Not one joined me but of his
own accord, and the greater part at their own
expense. number of them never saw and
never had word of conversation with, till the
day they came to me, and that was for the
purpose have stated. Now have done.
While Brown was speaking perfect quiet pre-
| vailed-when he had finished the Court pro-
ceeded to pronounce the sentence. After a
few preliminary remarks, in which he said no
reasonable doubt could exist as to the prison
er's guilt, he sentenced him to be hung in pub
lie on Friday. the second CT December. Brown
received the sentence with composure. The
only demonstration made was with the clap
ping of hands by one man in the crowd, who
IS not resident of Jefferson county-this was
promptly suppressed, and much regret was ex-
pressed by citizens at this occurrence.
The verdict in Coppee's case, is guilty on all
the counts of the indictment. After being ont
an hour the jury returned with verdict de-
claring Coppee guilty. His counsel gave no.
tlce of d motion to arrest judgement, as in
Browns case. The court then adjourned.