The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-16
A Portrait.


Governor Wise afidavits of some nineteen
persons in Ohio, who express with more or
less of certainty their belief that Brown, at
the time of the commission of the crimes at
Harpers Ferry, for which he has been
sentenced to die, was not in state of mind
to comprehend his relations to persons in
Virginia, the moral nature of the acts he
committed, and their criminal character
against the law of the land, aud so ask
that mercy on that account may be extend.
ed to him. These persons make statements
tending to show that Browns grandmother,
two aunts, one uncle, five cousins, one niece,
all on mothers side, and two SONS, have
been insane at some time, and on some par
ticular subject. Whether or not Brown, at
the time OF the affair at Harper's Ferry, was,
from causes temporary or permanent, natur-
al or supervening, destitute of the moral
capacity essential to that criminal intent
without which crime in law does not
exist, is question not tor US to determine.
The question of postponement of his execu-
ton is one which the conscience and judg-
ment of Governor Wise must, in the first
instance, decide 1t is no unusual question,
but one which Executive officers, in whom
is reposed power of pardon, consider and
determine, in the United States, almost
daily. In this case, its elements do not, up
on the face, seem to conflict together in
any unexampled way. We have confidence
in the patriotism, integrity, and wisdom in
Governor Wise in all this matter, and for
that reason, mot lesst han that he, and he alone
has legal and moral right and power to de-
termine the question, we do not take pains
to consider it.
If the afidavits are not of avail to secure
that for which they were obtained, which
was postponement of the execution of the
prisoner, in order that an opportunity may
be afforded his counsel to have an issue
framed and tried under the laws of Virginia
respecting the sanity of said Brown, they
will still be instructive and useful in anoth-
er way. The application for postponement
stands on two legs, so to speak one is the
alleged fact that insanity has manifested
in the maternal branch of Browns family;
the other that independently of the first,
Brown himself has for some time past given
indicia of disorderd mind. 1t may be we'll
to say, in passing, that the fact even when
we're or are insane, does not establish the
very different fact that John Brown was
insane when contemplating planning and
executing the events at Harper's Ferry.
1t may furnish reason to believe tendency
in bis nature to insanity, but not the actual
existence of insanity. That existence of
insanity must be proved by Browns con.
versation, acts and general department. 1t
is in consideration of this second leg of the
application of Browns friends that we
think these afidavits may be instructive to
us who do not have to decide the prisoners
fate.
If our readers will peruse these afidavits
with care, and analyze their statements of
description of Brown, we think they will
agree with us 10 saying that in this relation
they do but describe an Abolitionist of the
Wendell Phillips, Emerson and Manning
school, they do but make portrait of a
furious Abolitionist, person whose like
can be fonnd in quantities in New England,
New York and the Northwest Boston is
crowded with them. They write for news
papers; they preach sermons they declaim
in magazines they print books they get
up abolition fairs, and abolition meetings
generally. They babble about the superb
GRITTY of the North over the South they
talk about Massachusetts in the revolution
as though she carried on her shoulders all
the labor, toll, honor, and glory of the war
of independence they stupidity believe that
New England would be just as prosperous
without the Union as with it. They talk
about rebellion to law as virtue, and
think obedience mark of servility. We
make and print extracts from these affidavits
which describe what the atlantis deem the
moral and intellectual qualities of Brown,
and it is curious to observe how perfectly
these statements of men in Ohio depict the
characteristics of men in Massachusetts who
make up the abolition party of this State,
and who inspire and lead in the aggressiOns
upon the South of the Republican party. 1t
is difficult to believe that very many of our
fellow citizens in Boston did not sit for the
portrait. Baldwin, one of the atlantis, says
Brown has " rigid integrity and ardent tenn
permanent"
Wetmore describes him as "strictly honest
and upright in all his dealings, and of a gentle
and mild disposition"
Alling portrays him as of "pecular-
ly kind and mild disposition, upright
and honest in all the relations of life, but
energetic and persevering, scrupulous and
conscientious in all his dealings"
Goodale depicts him to be of "benevo.
lent and humane dispositions, and of strict
integrity, moral and religious WORTH
Brown insists that his brother is an "hon-
est, conscientious man."
Oviatt testifes that throughout he has
led life distinguished for truthfuness and
integrity"
Lush represents him lin business rela-
tions honest and upright, but incapable of
reasoning on the subject Of slavery
Mills thinks him upright and honest"
and Leach says he is " strictly conscientious
and honest, but of strong impulses and strong
religious feelings"
In relation to the subject of slavery, Mr..
Wetmore says that Brown appeared fran
tic and furious, and incapable Of reasoning
or of listening to reason" Mr.. Goodaie
says that Brown talked with great earnest
ness on the evil of slavery, on which be very
soon become enthusiastic, and claimed that
any course-whether stealing or coaxing
Diggers to run away from their masters
was honorable" His brother represents
him vuhOllv ohco.hoJ h. A.. IT, e