The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-18

Startling News from Virginia and Mary
land-Negro Insurrection mt Harper's
Ferry-strangc and Exciting Intclli-
genee.
A most strange and almost incredible piece
of information comes to us by telegraph from
Baltimore. 1t represents that mob Of negro
insurrectinists, numbering several hundred,
and led on by white men, had seized on Sun
day night upon the United States Arse
nal at Harpers Ferry, possessed themselves
Of the arms of the government there de-
posted, sent wagon loads Of rifles into
the interior, stopped and fred into passing
trains, planted cannon upon the bridge over
the Potomac, cut the telegraph wires, seized
and kept in custody the peaceable and orderly
citizens Of the place, levied contributions upon
the hotels and provision stores, shot several
persons, and otherwise committed dreadful
| havoc and onslaughts, all against the peace
and sovereignty Of the people Of the United
States.
Our Baltimore dispatches leave us al
together at sea in regard to the origin and
cause of the outbreak, but our special despatch
from Washington gives more particulars.
From this, we learn that the Secretaryof War
has been ofacially informed of the dangerous
extent Of the movement It appears to be
regular negro conspiracy or insurrection,
| planned and organized for some time past,
and led on and directed by white men.
The Secretary had information months since
Of the existence of such conspiracy, and Of
the intention of the negro plotters to seize
upon the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, possess
themselves Of arms wherewith to arm the
slaves Of Virginia and the neighboring States
establish themselves at Wheeling and other
points, and regain their freedom. he seems
to have given no credence to the story when
| he first heard it, but it now becomes fear
fully verified.
! II is difficult to understand how such move
ment could have had any success, particularly
| in section of the country where the slaves are
| but few in number, and we are especially at q
loss to conceive how they could have gained
possession of the Arsenal against the officers
and workmen Of the government. But it seems
| too true that the blacks have actually gained
the upper hand at Harper's Ferry. At all
events troops have been sent against them
from Washington and Baltimore, and tomorrow
will probably bring us news of terrible con-
fict, in which the negroes and their white abet-
tors will be made to pay dearly for their teme-
rity.
| Apropos Of this exciting news, we recollect
a very significant passage in one of Gerrit
Smiths letters, published month or two ago,
in which he speaks Of the folly of attempting
| to strike the shackles of the slaves by the
force Of moral suasion or legal agitation, and
| predicts that the next movement made in the
direction Of negro emancipation would be an
instruction in the South Is this the first act
in that programme?-and are those white abo-
litionists spoken Of in our dispatches emissa-
ries Of the peaceful Gerrit? If not, is the in
surrection part Of that "irrepressible conflict,
which is so dear to the heart of William II
Seward land is 1t intended to affect the next
Presidential contest? Time will show. Init
one thing appears certain--that the outbreak
has assumed startling proportions, and NAV
prove the first act of terrible drama.