Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-09
GOV. w1sEs OPINION OF BROWN.

Gov. Wise in his late speech at Richmond,
gave the following description OF John Brown
ssBrown not mad, but he was msinform-
ed as 10 the temper and disposition of our
slaves. He ought 10 have known that all the
slaves on our northern border held. as it
were. by Sufferance--thcir own sufferance that
they run to hberators in Pennsylvania ea-
ser than liberators can come to their emanci-
patton. He ignorant, 1t seems, OF the pa
triarchal relations in which our slaves are ev-
erywhere held by their masters, and what
bonds of affection and common interest exist
between them and their masters. And thus is
was that 'Old Brown the fanatic of Ossawat-
tonic, and Lawrence, and Fort Scott memory5
who denounced the Missourians sborder ruff
FANS became the sborder rufan' of Virginia
himself, and is prisoner of treason to
her authority The slaves he would incite TO
inSurrection and massacre would not take up
arms against their masters. His spears were
untouched by them. And they themselves
mistaken who take him TO be a madman. He
is bundle of the best nerves l ever saw, cut
and thrust, and bleeding, and in bonds. He
Is man of clear head, CT courage, fortitude,
and simple ingenionsness. He is cool. collcc-
ted, and indomitable, and it is but just to him
TO say that he was humane to his prisoners.
attested to me by Colonel Washington and Mr..
Mills, and he inspired me with great trust in
his integrity man of truth He is fana-
tic, vain and garulous, but firm, truthful, and
cept the free negroes with him, are like him.
He Processes to be Christian in communion
with the GongregatiOnalist Church of the
North, and openly breaches his purpose of u
niverSal emancipation, and the negroes them
selves were to be the agents, by means OF
arms, led on by white commanders. When
Col. Washington taken, his watch, and
plate, and jewels, and money were demanded,
to create what they call safety fund.- TO
compensate the liberators for the trouble and
expense of taking away his slaves. This, by
law, was to be done with all the slavehold-
ers. Washington, OF course, refused TO de-
liver up anything, and it is remarkable that tho
only thing Of material value which they took,
besides the slaves, was the sword of Frederick
the Great. which was sent to General Wash.
ington. This was taken by Stephens to Brown,
and the latter commanded bis men with that
sword in his fight against the peace and safety
OF WashingtOn'S native State. He promised
Colonel Washington to return ii TO HIM when
he was done with it. And Colonel Washing
ton says that he Brown was the coolest and
firmest man he ever saw in defying danger
and death With son dead ty his side,
and another shot through. he felt the pulse Of
his dying son with one hand, and held his rife
with the other, and commanded his men Will,
the utmost compoSure, encouraging them TO
be firm, and 10 sell their lives as dear as they
could. Ofthe three white prisoners Brown,
Stephens, and Coppie--it hard to say
which Nes most firm and of the two negroes,
IT Was hard to say which seemed the most
cOwardly and false. The North Carolina ne
gro offered to betray all persons involved In
The affair if spared, and the Canada negro
who was, | believe, one of the members OF
their Provisional COngress-was 4 crouching,
craven, who lied, as Brown said, for his life.''