The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-12
Brown Sentenced 10 be Hung His Speech 10
fhe Court
CHARLESTON, Va, Nov.

Brown Sentenced 20 be Hung His Speech 10 |
s. the Court
CHARLESTON, Va, Nov. 2.
Russell and Sennett attorneys from
Boston, reached here to-day.
Cook was brought before the magis-
traie's court, but waived an examination.
lie was committed for trial.
Coppie's trial was resumed. No wit
nesses were called for the defense. Mr..
Harding opened the argument for the
Commonwealth, and Griswold followed
for the defendant; Mr.. Hunter closed for
the prosecution. The speeches were Of
marked ability. Mr. Griswold asked for
several instructions, which were granted.
Brown was then brought into the court
house, which was Immediately thronged.
The court gave i,s decision on the motion
10 arrest Judgment, overFuling the objec
tioBs made. On the objection that trea-
son cannot be committed against State,
except by citizen, it ruled that where
ever allegiance is due, treason may be
committed. Most of the States have pass
ed laws against treason. The objections
as to form of verdict rendered, were also
regarded as insufficient. The clerk then
asked Brown whether he had anything TO
say why sentence should not be pronouuc
ed, when Brown started up, and in a clear
and distinct voice said 1:
Il have, may it please the court, few
words to say. In the first place, deny
everything but what l have all along ad-
mitted, the design on my part to free
slaves. intended certainly to make a
clean thing of that matter, as did last
winter when / went into Missouri, and
there took the slaves without swapping a
gun on either side, moved them through
the country, and finally left them in Can
ada. designed to have done the same
thing on larger scale. That was all l
intended. I never did intend to commit
murder or treason, or to destroy property,
or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion
aud make an insurrection. l have anoth-
er objection, and that is, it is unjust that
l should suffer such a penalty. Had in
! terfered in the manner which admit has
been fairly proven, for l admit the truth
fulness and candor of the greater portion
of the witnesses who have testified in the
case-had SO interfered in behalf of the
rich, the powerful, and the intelligent,
the-so-called great, or in behalf of their
friends, either father, mother, brother, sis
ter, wife, children, or any of that class,
and suffered and sacrificed what l have in
this interference, would have been all
right. Every man in this court would
have deemed it an act worthy of reward
rather than punishment This court ac-
knowledges, 1 suppose, the validity Of the
] law of God. / see a book kissed here
which l suppose to be the Bible, or al
least the New Testament, that teaches
me that all things whatsoever l would
that men should do unto me, l should dc
the same even unto them. 1t teaches me
further, to remember them that are il
bonds, as bound with them. 1 endeavored
} to act up to that instruction say an
yet too young to understand that God il
any respecter of persons. I believed tina
to interfere as have done in behalf of hi.
desp;sed poor, was no wrong, but night
i Now it is deemed necessary that should
forfeit my life for the furtherance of tho
ends of Justice, and mingle my blood fur
ther with the blood Of my children, ant
with the blood of millions in this slav,
country, whose rights are disregarded BY
wicked, cruel and unjust enactments.
submit, so let it be done,
"IIet me say one word further 1 fee
entirely satisfied with the treatment re
oeived on my trial. Considering all th,
circumstances, it has been more generous
than I expected, but 1 feel no concern.
have stated from the first what was M
intention, and what was not never hat
any design against the life of any person
never encouraged any man to do so, bu
always discouraged anything of tn
kind. ... o.
j "Let me also say something In regarC
to the statements made by some of thos'
connected with me. / hear it has beef
stated by some of them that | have in
duced them to join me but the contrar!
is true. l do not say this to injure them
but as one regrettins their weakness. No
one joined me but of bis own accord, ant
the greater part at their own expense. A
number of them / never saw and neve
had word with, till the day they cam
to me, and that was for the purpose l hav'
stated. Now have DONE"
ri While Brown was speaking, a perfec
quiet prevailed. -
) When he had finished, the Court pro
, ceeded to pronounce the sentence: Ate
t few preliminary remarks, in which b
!, said no reasonable doubt could exis: as 3
the prisoners guilt, he sentenced him +
be hung in public on Friday, the I'd da
of December. Brown received his sen
tence with composure. The only demon
stration made, was the clapping Of hand
BY one man, who did not live in Jeffer
; son. This was promptly suppressed, an
, much regret was expressed by the citizen
. at its occurrence.
Copp1E FOUND GUnrY.-After bein
out an hour, the jury, in the cese Of Coz
pie, returned with a verdict. declarin
: him guilty on all the counts of the indie
meht. l f-ss lal