Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-11-11
Speech of Old Brown.

him.
Mr.. Brown Immediately rose, and in
a clear, distinct voice, said:
have, may it please the Court, a few
words to say. In the first place deny
everything but what have already ad-
mitted, of design on my part to free
slaves. l intended, certainly, to have
made clean thing of that matter, as |
did last winter, when l went into Miss
ouri, and there took slaves wi outtbe
swapping of gun on either side, moving
them through the country, and finally
leaving them in Canada. ] d, S red {,
have done the same thing again on a larg-
er scale. That was all | intended.
never did intend murder or treason, or
the destruction of properly, or to excite
slaves to rebellion, or to make insnrrec-
ton.
/ have another objection, and that is,
that it is unjust that ] should suffer such
penalty. Had interfered in the
manner--and which / admit has been
fairly proved--ior l admire the truthful.
ness and candor of the greater portion Of
the witnesses who have testified in this
case-had | so interfered in behalf of tho
rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the SO
called great, or in behalf of any of their
friends, either father, mother, brother, sis
ter, wife, or children, or any of that class,
and suffered and sacrificed what havs
in this interference, it would have been
all right. Every man in this Court
would have deemed it an act worthy
reward rather than punishment.
This Court Acknowledges, too, as sup
pose, the validity of the law of God.
see book kissed which suppose TO be
the Bible, OF at least the New Testament,
which teaches me that :" all things what
soever / would that men should do to
me, should do even SO % them" 1t
teaches me further, to remember them
that are in bonds as bound with Them
/ endeavored to act up to that instruction.
say / am yet too young to understand
that God is any respecier of persons. l
believe that, to have interfered as have
done, as | have always freely admitted
have done, in behalf of his despised poor,
have done no wrong, but right.
Now it is deemed necessary that ]
should forfeit my life for the furlherance
of the ends of justice, and minge my
blood further with the blood Of my CHI
dren, and with the blood OF millions in
this slave country whose rights are dis
regarded by wicked, cruel and unjust en-
actments. / say, let ii be done
| Let me say one word further; / feel
entirely satisfied with the treatment
have received on my trial. Considering
all the circumstances, it has been more
generous than | expected, but feel no
consciousness of guilt. l have stated
from the first what was my intention,
and what was not. never had any de-
, sign against the liberty Of any person
nor any disposition TO commit treason or,
excite slaves to rebel or make any gem
eral Instruction. l never encouraged
any man to do so. but always discouraged
; any idea of that kind.
Let me say something, also, in regard
to the statements made by some of those
who we re connected with me. l here
4 that it has been stated by some of them
that ] have induced them 10 join me,
but the contrary is true. ] do not say
a this to injure them, but as regarding their
5 Weakness. Not one but joined ne OF his
y own accord, and the greater part at their
d own expense. A number of them ]
:. never saw, and never had a word of con.
It versatiOn with, till the day they came tc
/ me, and that was for the purpose | have
It stated. Now have done.
n While Mr.. Brown was speaking, per
IS feet quiet prevailed, and when he had fin
1t ished, the Judge proceeded to prououc,
s. sentence upon him.
n Sentence of Brown.
IS After few preliminary remaks, tn
% Judge said that no reasonable doub
= could exist of the guilt of the prisoner
,e and sentenced him to be hung in public
= on Friday, the I'd Of December next.
J. Mr.. Brown received his sentence witt
y composure. The only demonstration
- made was by the clapping of the hand
d OF one man in the crowd, who is not
r. resident of Jefferson county. This wa
C promptly suppressed, and much regret
expressed by the citizens at its occurrence
n QUARTERLY MEETIEGs-DANvILL
"A DIsTRICT.-The Presiding Eide