The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-09
Light Breaking,

Our readers will reeolect that during the
Kansas troubles they were constantly told
by their Republican friends that the nggres-
sive acts OF Brown, Lane and their fellow
conspistors were in retaliation for injuries
received at the hands of pro-slavery men,
and that they were harmless, quiet, inOtfen-
sive, peacesble and gentle beings. whose in
iuries alone had exasperated them into de
mons, and sent them abroad on a mission of
vengeance. Any remark from Democrat
that they went to Kansas as agitators-fOc
the purpose Of stirring up the passions OF the
people, and engendering conflict between
the different portions of the community for
the benefit OF q political party-was indig-
nOntly denied.
Little by little, however, the develop pMISdts
appear which are to convict the actors 10 that
drama, and especially the politicians who
instignted it, of deliberate attempt 10 pro-
woke and continue strife and contention, for
the express object of fastening the icon.
flict" between the North and the South,
which they so much desire and for which
prominent Republicans were then and are
now laboring.
The most authentic statement which has
yet appeared OF Browns antecedents, and
his purpose in going to Kansas, is that writ.
ten for the Boston Atlas by James Red path,
Of Kansas notoriety, one Of Browns coad'
tutors in the troubles and conflicts of that
Territory. The folIowingis an extract from
Redpath's statement:
"For thirty years he secretly cherished
the idea OF being the leader Of servile in
surrection the American Moses, predestin.
ed by Omnpotence to Iced the servile ma
tion in our southern States TO freedom-if
necessary, through the Red Sea ot civil war,
or O tigrcer war Of races. 1t was no 'mod
idea 'concocted ut o fair in Ohio,' but a
mighty purpose, born OF religious conviction,
which he nourshed in his heart for half q
life time.
"When The horizon Of freedom Looked
gloomy in Kansas, he took leave OF his wife
end younger children, and, with several OF
his sons-four or five OF them-"ent out to
Kansas. He thought that the hour was ap-
preaching for his work to begin. The BAL
lot.b box hUd already been desecrated the
ruffiaEs OF Missouri had overwhelmed with
violence The rights OF the North. He went
TO put stop TO the nsolence end violence
OF the South ; and TO him more than TO any
other living man, we owe it that Kansas is
a free State to. day. TO q mun Of very diff
ferent character, Gen. Lane, although a
personal ond malignant enemy OF mine, |
would accord the second place in this hon
orable rank"
Here, then, we have the confession that
Brown did not fight in Kansas, on account
of any injuries he had received, but simply
on account of an ambition to lead an in 'ur-
rection-an ambition cherished for years
and only awaiting an opportunity for its full
fillment. In this he was, as was then claim
ed by the Democracy, aided by the contribu'
tions of the Republicans Of Massachusetts
end other States, and encouraged to 60 on
with his coveted work. The movement at
Harper's Ferry was but another act in the
drama, in which, as in the first, he received
the contributions and encourugements Of
those whose whose personal courage is hard
ly equal to that Of Brown, but who contrib
uted their money while he staked his life on
the perpeuation of the conflict which we
ore told is "irrepressible."
Let US hear no more about Browns re.
venge for Injuries done to his family and his
property. We have the evidence above that
he went to Kansas, because it presented the
opportunity OF heading arebellion, which he
had long been seeking.