The Nevada journal., 1859-12-09
RRanAY MORNING, Dec. ., 1859.
Henry Ward Beeeher on the VIZ
einia Eme ute.

Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, on the
3oth of October. We apprehend
that 30 far as he defines his position
with reference 10 the Harper's Ferry
affair, none but the monomaniac Alb
olitionists can take exception to his
views. He is rather severe on the
Yirginians. We give his language
inasmuch as we notice that some Of
the ultra Administration sheets are
dccrying the man and to great ex-'
tent mis-representing his real opin-
ions.
Speaking of the conduct of the vir-
einiane and the course taken by
portion Of the press to make capital
out of the emeute, he says:
LIDO not wonder that Viginians feel
a great deal of modification Every
body is sympathctically ashamed for
them 1t is quite natural that every
effort should be made to enlarge he
proportions ofthis escapade, that they
NAV hide their weakness and incom-
petency behind smartly uptown
borrori No one doubts the bravery
of Yirginians. 1t needs no praising.
But even brave men have panics.-
Couras G is sometimes caught at una
wares. Certainly, it strikes us, as a
remarkable thing, that prisoners three
To more than their captors, and two
thousands citizens should have re-
mained days and nights under the
fear and control of seventeen white
men. Northern courage has been al a
discount in the South hitherto. 1t
ouubt hereafter to rise in value-at
least in Virginia!
The diligence which is now shown,
on the part of many public presses,
to infiame the public mind, and infect
It with fear, is quite foolish. The in
oculatiou will not take. The North
NAV not be courageous, bat it certain
ly is not silly There is an element
Of the Iudicrous in this transaction
which I think will effectually stoI
all panic.
Seventeen men terrified two thou
sand brave Virginians into two day.
submission-thatc cannot be got over
The common sense of common peo'
plc will not fail to see through ali at
tempts to hide natural shame by a
bungling make believe that the dan
ger was really greater than it was
The danger was nothing-and the
fear very great. and courage none al
all. And nothing can now change
Q the facts! All the newspapers OF
earth will not make this case appear
nnv better. Do what you please
muster a crowd Of supposed confeder'
.tes, call the roll of conspirators and
include the noblest men of these
States. and exhibit this imaginary ar
nv bafore the people, and in the end
it twill appear that seventeen white
men overawed town of two thous
aud brave Virginians. and held then
captives until the sun had gone laugh
ing twice around the globe !
And the attempt to hide the feal
ofthese surrounded men by awaking
a larger fear. will never do. 1t is toe
literal fulfillment, not exactly Of
Pro3hesy but of Fable, not Of Isaiah
but Esop.
A fox having been caught in trap
escaped with the loss of his tail. He
Immediately went to his brother fox
es to persuade them that they would
all look better if they, too, would cut
off their caudal appendages. They
declined. And our two thousand
friends who lost their courage in the
presence of seventeen men, are now
making an appeal to this nation to
lose its courage, too that the cow
ardice of the few may be hidden in
the cowardice of the whole communi-
ty! 1t is impossible. We choose to
wear our courage for some time lon-
ger.
As I shall not recur to this epic in
Virginia history again tonight,
must say wood in respect to the
head and heart of it. For it all stco
IN the courage OF one man.
When great State attacked a
handfol of weak colonists, the Gov
ernment and nation were torpid, but
when seventeen men attacked a SOW
oreign State. then Maryland arms,
aud Virginia arms, and the United
States Government arms. and they
three rush against seventeen men
Travellers tell us that the Geysers
of Iceland-those singular boiling
springs of the north-may be trans,
por;ed with fury by plucking up a
handful of grass or turf, and throw
ing it into the springs. The hot
springs of Virginia are of the same
kind A handful of men was thrown
into them, and what boiling there
has been
Here he comes to declare his sem
timents on the raid of Old Brown, and
like fool-hardy enterprises