The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-10-26
Che Harper,s Ferry InsurreetIon.


As the facts relating TO the late outbreak
at Harper's Ferry deVelope themselves, they
assume the form and magnitude Of regular
ly cOncocted and deep laid conspiracy against
the government of the United States. 1t
was no madman either who originated and
carried out the plan of this outbreak. The
scheme was laid months ago, and the seeds
of that corruption, whence it sprung, have
been planted in the breasts Of fanatical Abb
oltionists by such men as Giddings, Garri-
son, Gerrt Smith, Seward and the kindred
hosts, who, having neither patriotism nor
moral honesty, have followed in their wake
until their sectional irrepressble conflict
doctrines have eliminated in high treason.
1t is a singular fact that the anonymous
letter to Secretary Floyd, bearing date Of the
second of August is so nearly cotemporane-
GUS with Gerrit Smiths declaration that the
next movement made in the direction Of ne
gro emancipation would be an insurrection
in the South. This looks as though the
writer of that letter end Gerrit Smith were
both in possession of the knowledge Of the
same facts. Also, among "the bushels of
letters" discovered in the possession Of the
traitors was one from this same Gerrit Smith
informing the arch.traitor Brown of money
being deposited in bank in New York, to
the credit of ]. Smith & Sons, "a very an
onymous frm.) which appears to be one of
many informing him from time to time, as
money was raised. Here was aid and COM
fort to the public enemy. The "sinews OF
war" seem to have been furnished from all
parts of the Northern States. Through the
assistance of men who claim to be American
citizens large amount of arms and muni
tioDs OF war were concentrated secretly at
the scene of action. These were to arm the
slaves and all preparations were made to
strike the first blow in the irrepressble con.
fict by initiating a serve war. 1t is won
derful how so great an amount OF work could
have been done without discovery, but it was
done, and is of itself a damning proof that
these traitors to their country were receiving
secret aid from men who were as bad but not
as bold as they.
A cotemporary regards this as altogether
the most alarming insurrec,on4ry movement
which has ever occurred in the United States.
1t is natural sequence of the irrepressible
conflict doctrine boldly enunciated by Mr..
II &c bo lott fbo
quence Of Black Republican principles.
Its plan was precoDcerted m ost deliberate
! Iy. The extent to which the lesding Aboli.
tionists and followers OF Seward in the North,
are implicated, will probably never be fully
ascertained. The manifest appearance of
the whole thing is that it YVES inspired by
certain sectional fanatics who are high in
the ranks of the Republican party. 1t is
natural consequence of the doctrines which
they teach. 1t is the duty of the public au.
thoriies to ferret out and bring to condign
punishment every wretch who has had the
least connection with this most damnabIe
plot.
This affair proves that there ure in the
North desperate AbOlitonists fully prepared
to apply the match to the Union, and to place
arms in the hands of class Of men who
would ruthlessIy murder the white people
men, women and chiidren-like savages.
The bloody scheme at Hurper's Ferry un.
! doubtedIy had its aiders and abettors in diff
ferent parts Of the Union. Harper's Ferry
was to be the starting point of the desperate
Black Republican schemes. The selection
was made with tact and judgment. There
was United States Armory usually contain
ing about 0,U00 stand Of arms. Its tropical
pecularities were we'll suited to the scheme.
In case OF failure it would furnish an easy
escape to the insurgents through the gorges
and thickets of the Blue Ridge, and to the
mountain districts of Pennsylvania.
A formal provisional Constitution and Or
dinanccs of more than thirty articles were
drawn up for the government OF the people
OF the United States. From beginning to
end it ia most treasonable document. It'll
provides for qualifications OF membership, the
organization of a government with legisla-
tive, executive, ard judicial branches the
trial Of the President, members of Congress,
Supreme Judges, end other public officers !;
treaties Of peace, duty of the military, the
disposition OF all captured and coniscated
property. Safety, or Intelligence Fund, and
great variety of other matters, the whole
to be under the control of commander in.
chief, whose power for the time, was to have
been supreme and arbitrary. How far this
insurrection had progressed among the whites
and negroes it is impossible yet to say. The
immediate outbreak was made by few men,
but they evidently had the promise and ex-
pectation Of aid from greater numbers, as is
shown by the extensive preparations which
were made for applying arms and ammuni
ton. 1t is probable that this outbreak was
only premature explosion of more gener-
al and wide. spread conspiracy. 1t is aleg
ed that rising all over the States of Mary
land and Virginia was in contempIation,,-
that the 24;h of October was the day fixed
for the attempt, and the siezure Of the arse
nal was to be the signal to the insurgents.
The premature seizure ofthe arsenal, where