Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-11-10


who dined at my house at one time,
Mr.. Bennett. of Mississippi. publicly
inquired if / was not prepared to go
one step further? | answered l was;
if slave catcher had attempted to en-
ter my dwelling to capture those peo-
pie. | would have stricken him down
upon the threshheld of nv door Gov.
Gale. of Alabama, inquired if l were
willing to make such remarks when
slaves were present to hear them? |
told him was; and if l had the pow
er, | would release every slave upon
earth before the SUI would go down
| have not changed my opinions.
wish, on this as on all occasions.
to leave upon record such an express
sion of my own views. that | shall not
blush, and that my children will not
blush to read them hereafter. And as
an illustration Of my doctrines, have
for many years paid probably two hun
dred dollars per year from my limited
means, to free slaves from bondage
| have also fed and clothed those who
called on me when fleeing to land of
liberty
To others, who were pursued, have
given arms to defend themselves, have
instructed them in their use, and have
constantly spoken of these things in
public and in private, by the way-side
and by the fireside. | am opposed to
taking human life except in defence of
life or liberty. In such cases | believe
it duty. In these opinions | think
a large portion of our people in North
ern Ohio concur. We do these things
where we can do them without violat-
ing any enactment; but all will see
that the place can not change the NOR
al character of an act, and feeling this.
men may become so excited as to go
even as far as our government did
with the Algerines. / would not. l
have not the heroism to do it.
My friends have requested me to
state my own knowledge of Brown
and his designs. And for this episode
in my lecture, they must be held re-
sponsible. | do not think "the inquis-
tive gentlemen" from my State, has
been very faithful. He ought to have
found letter of mine addressed to
West Andover, Ohio, saying we
should be glad to see him at Jefferson.
He had been at Cleveland. and had
lectured there. Our people had felt a
great desire to see him, and we were
little surprised that he did not call at
our village which is the seat of justice
for the county, as it was said he had
visited a son who was living in that
vicinity.
am entirely unable to state the
time he was in our place; but have no
doubt Brown was correct in his state
ment. When / came to this city. said l
never saw Brown but once. Upon re-
Election. however, am of opinion that
he came to Jefferson on Saturday af
ternoon, that so far as | was informed,
his object was to make arrangements
for the lecture.
On Sabbath after the regular SER
vice, he spoke in our Church. The
minister of that Church and of other
Churches, | think, attended the lee
ture. Ladies and gentlemen were
present. Republicans and Democrats
all listened to his story with attention.
1t is impossible for me at this time to
give an abstract of his lecture. If any
one desires knowledge on this point, l
would refer him to Hon. Jonathan
Warner, Democratic leader of that
county. He was present and one or
two of his sons: and being very pro-
slavery he would be more likely to re-
collect particulars than myself. He
spoke of his Kansas troubles; of his
expedition into Missouri, and bring
ing off some twelve Or twenty slaves;
and he urged it as a solemn Christian
duty to assist slaves to obtain their
freedom. He gave us clearly to un-
derstand that he held to the doctrines
of the Christian religion as they were
enunciated by the Saviour.
/ am not aware that he spoke of go
ing into Slave States to aid slaves in
escaping from bondage; but had the
impression that he would do so, if op-
portunity should present. think,
however, that | inferred this from the
fact that he had done it in Missouri,
rather than Fl iom what he said.
After he closed, | addressed few
words to the audience in favor of a
contribution; referring to his condition,
to the death of his son, and the fact
that in his situation, be had no bust
ness which he could follow for his sup
port. / believe nearly every Democrat
as well as Republican present, gave
something.
After the close of the meeting cor
daily invited him to take tea at my
house. While there, at the fireside,
enquired as to the particulars of hi'
Missouri expedition. Mrs. Giddingi
also put questions. | fully expressed
my own opinions as to the crime o
Slavery, the right of slaveto his lib
erty at all times and under all circum
stances. ! did not express as radica
views as | had done in Congress; suci
is not my habit This | presume j.
the conversation which Brown deli
cately refused to make known to th'
"inquisitive. gentleman" from Ohio
While we were thus engaged. his car
riage came, and he left me. Neithe
in his lecture, nor In conversation, di,
he say one wor,. as to his having any
associates, Or assistants, or arms; no
did he speak of Virginia. or of Har
per's Ferry, Of organization or OF pro
visional government; nor do l believ'