Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-03
w. HI. Seward and che Harper's
Ferry Conspfrators.


The correspondence of FORBES, an English
abolitionist, recently published in the New
York Herald, discloses the fact that Mr..
SEWARD was, more than year ago, informed
of the contemplated movement of JONI
BRowN. Fully.alive to the disastrous effects
which this disclosure must have Aupon
the reputation Of Mr.. SEWARD as a statesman
and as citizen, sthe Republican journals
generally endeavor to discredit FORBES by
attacking his reputation. They declare he is
ala adventurer, who gained the confidence OF
the Republicans. and obtained employment
from them, with selfish motives, and that
having been disappointed in his aims, be now
seeks, by the most fabulous stories, to re-
venge himself upon them. But this won't
do. forbes was capable and good enough
instrument in their hands, until big CORES
p0ndence with some OF their leaders, without
his knowledge, however, appeared in print.
They cannot be allowed tu escape the respon-
sibility OF the disclosures made in that cor
respondenee by attempting 10 degrade and
disgrace him now. hecorrespondence took
place during the past year, and was not in
tended for the public eye. But for the cap
ture of BRowN and his carpetbag at Har-
per's Ferry, it might never have been known
beyond the circle of those Immediately inter-
ested in it. MIR. SEWARD, and others, who
are implicated, must, therefore, meet the
facts and overcome them if they can. II
they are not overcome by the most unques-
tionable evidence, ar. SEWARD deserves to
be politically and socially damned beyond
redemption.
Having published all the correspondence
the Louisville Journal very justly says:
Assuming the genuineness of these deve-
lopments, which we believe is not impeached
even by those most nearly concerned, it is an
offence to reason, an insult to common sense,
u gross violence to the constitution of the
human miud to ask one to believe that Mr.
Seward was not thoroughly cOgnizant of the
bloody and deinoniacal scheme which Old
John Brown and his fellow conspirators were
meditating. be did know il all. This con-
cusion Is inevitable.
MN Seward knew it all but most GER
tainly he never told any part of it, unless he
told it in guilty confidence. He kept the
villanous secret but too we'll. Not the
arch conspirdtor Brown himself guarded the
terrible mystery with more profound reserve.
He concealed a traitors plot with a traitors
vigilance. Granting that MIR. Stewards
offence is nothing blacker than criminal
lack Of courage TO do his duty to society aud
to himself, yet how mean aud contemplate
is his position. He, the representative of the
Empire State 10 the Halls of the Federal
Councils, a Senator OF the United States the
idol of great party, statesman, citizen
OF the highest distinction, Christian and
gentleman, bends his ear to this tale of devil
ish conspiracy against the peace and lives of
his fellOw-citiZens, and. admitting it with hut
passing twinge of cOmpunction, locks the
atrOcious scheme in his bosom, and goes
forth, with impenetrable complacency, to
lavish smiles and saIuiatiOns on it's appointed
victims. Oh what shame is this! 1t is
deep enough to redden the cheeks of every
citizen in the land. We do not say that a
man or human being capable of such foul
recreancy. such alject, sinful weakness. is not
tit TO hive; but we do say that he is not fit to
associate on terms of equality or on any
terms with honest men.
IF Mr.. Seward cannot vindicate himself
from this damning revelation, and we do not
see how he can, let him, we say, be expelled
from the Senate, which he dishonors, and
spurned from society, which he at once en-
dangers and disgraces. The statesman who
either from cowardice or ambition has con-
scented to become the custodian of traitors
secret has forfeited all title not only to the
confidence but even to the recognition of his
countrymen. Let him be branded with the
mark of Cain, and scourged from the haunts
and hearts of men.