The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-10
THE HARPER'S FERRY INSURGENTS.
Trial Of oppee-;Senteace Of Death Passed on
BroUn--His Speech to the Court.


THE HARPER'S FERRY INSURGENTS.
Trial Of Coppee-Senteace Of Death Passed on
BroWn-His Speech TO the Court
Charlestoton, Nou. 2.-Messrs. Russell and
Sonnet, from Boston, reached here to-day, to
act as counsel for the prisoners.
Captain Cook was brought before the magis-
trates' court to-day, but waived an examination,
and was committed for trial.
Coppee's trial was resumed, but no witnesses
we're called for the defence.
Mr.. Harding opened for the Commonwealth,
and Messrs. Hoyt and Griswold followed for the
defendant when Mr.. Hunter closed for the
prosecution. The speeches of all were marked
by ability. Mr.. Griswold asked for several in
structions to the jury, which were all granted
by the court, when the jury retired.
Capt. Brown was then brought in, and the
courthouse was Immediately thronged. The
court gave its decision on the motion for an
arrest of Judgment, everything the objections
made. In regard to the objection that treason
cannot be committed against the State, the
court ruled that wherever allegiance is due,
treason may be committed. Most Of the States
have passed laws against treason. The objec-
ton as to the form of the verdict rendered, the
court also regarded as insufficient
The clerk now asked the prisoner if he had
anything to say why sentence should not be
pronounced against him.
Brown stood up, and, in clear, distinct
voice, aaid:
II have, may it please the court, few words
to say. In the first place, l deny everything,
but what have all along admitted, of design
on my part to free the slaves. / intended GER
tainly to have made clean thing Of that mat
ter, as did last winter when / went into Mis-.
souri,, and there took slaves without the snap
ping of gun on either side, moved them
through the country, and finally left them in
Canada. | designed to have done the same
thing on larger scale. That was all / in
tended. l never did intend murder, or treason,
or the destruction of property, or to incite
slaves to rebellion or to make instruction.
81 have another objection, and that is, it is
unjust that should suffer such penalty. Had
| interfered in the manner which admit, and
which admit has been fairly proved, flor ad.
mire the truthfulness and candor of the greater
portion of the witnesses who testified in this
case,) had l so interfered in behalf of the rich
and powerful, the intelligent, the socalled
great or in behalf of any of their friends, either
father or mother, brother or sister, wife or chill
dren, or any of that class, and suffered and
sacrificed what have in this inter ference, il
would have been all right, and every man in
this court would have deemed it an act worthy
of reward rather than punishment.
This court acknowledges too, as | suppose
the validity of the law of God. l see book
kissed here which suppose to be the Bible, OF
at least the New Testament. That teaches me
that all things whatsoever | would men shoald
do TO me | should do even so to them II
teaches me, further, TO remember them that
are in bonds as bound with them / endeavor
ed to act up to these instructions say am
yet too young to understand that God is any re
spector of persons. l believe that to have in
terfered as have done, and as l have always
freely admitted l have done, in behalf of His
despised poor, was no wrong, but right
"Now, if it is deemed necessary that should
forfeit nay life for the furtherance of the ends OF
Justice, and mingle my blood further with the
blood of my children, and with the blood of the
millions in this slave country, whose rights are
disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enact
ments, submit. So let it 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 l expected but ] feel no
consciousness of guilt. have stated from the
first what was my intentions and what was not.
=" never had any design against the life of
any person, nor any disposition TO commit trea-
son, or excite the slaves to rebel, or make any
general insurrection. | never encouraged any
man to do so, but always discouraged any
idea Of that kind. Let me say, also, in regard
to the statement made by some of those con-
nected with me. j fear it has been stated by
some of them that have induced them to join
me. But the contrary is true. do not say
this to injure them, but as regretting their
weakness. There is not one of them but Joined
me of his own accord, and the greater part
at their own expense. number Of them
never saw, and never had word of converse
ton with, till the day they came to me, and that
was for the purpose have stated. Now have
done!"
While Brown was speaking, perfect quiet
prevailed. When he had finished, the court
proceeded to pronounce sentence.
After some preliminary remarks, in which
the judge said that no reasonable doubt could
exist as to the prisoners guilt, the court SEN
fenced him TO be hung in public on Friday,
December 2d.'
Brown received the sentence with compo-
sure, and the only demonstration made was
clapping of hands by one man in the crowd,
who is not resident of jefferson county
This lndecorum was promptly suppressed, and
much regret was expressed by citizens at its
occurrence.
After being out an hour, the jury came in
with verdict that Coppee was guilty on all
the counts IN the indictment. His counsel i'm
mediately gave notice of motion for an ar
rest of judgment, as in Browns case The
court then adjourned.
From the New York Evening Post
A NEW VERSION OF AN OLD SONG.
Illustrating the groacth Of Public Sentiment.