The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-12-16
Statement of General Ashley.

Hon. John NJ. Ashley member of Congress
from tho Toledo District, witnessed tho exc.
cution Of John Brown. His presence in
Charlestown was ono of extreme peril, yet
he displayed unusual courage and decision,
and left unmoested. Tho Toledo Blade
publishes several interesting extracts from
lottcr to his family, from which we quote
the following:
Thousands all over the country will ask,
and be unable to answer tho question, "Why
has there boon so much excitement and so
much fear exhibited by the Southern people
at this Harpor's Foiry affair z answer it
is iusopurnblo from tho System OF slavery.
A seryilo insurrcctiOn is always to be feared,
becunse it is tho most terrible Of oil tho
evils that can bofall IA people who claim to
own their aborers. Men may talk rs they
Will, but tell YOU there is a smOuldcrng
volcano burning beneath the crust, ready 10
burst forth at any moments and an enemy
to the peace of almost every hearth stone, is
lurking in tho heart of tho apparently sub
missively nshed slavo, and only those who
have passed through an outbreak like this
or the Southampton insurrection, can com.
prchcnd the danger aud know for a Ger.
ta iutY that it exists. TO day. as tho old
chief was brought from the prison to be put
into tho wagon and taken to tho place 0f
execution a slave woman. having perhaps
heard mo spoken of as an Aboitionist, said
in my hoaring. aud | suppose SO that |
should hear it, just as tho old man seated
himself on his coffin "G0d bless you. old
man if coutd help yon, l contd b"t J
can't" The cOuntGnances OF all tho Slaves
told too plainly of their sympathy.
Although tho military display may havc
been. as is claimed by many too large. and
has increased the excitement, q military
force Of somo kind was not only necessary,
but it was absolutely. Indispensable to koep
the sIavo masters at home, to watch their
"propertN" not from fear of tho Northern
"Abolitionists, but simply from fear of the
"propcriy"
NV interviow with Mrs. Brown and hcr
friends who we're anxiously awaiting my
return to communicate the conclusion of the
matter, was such as cannot be put upon
paper. ] was undoubtedly tho only ono,
who, among all that throng, watched sym
pathizingy every move and sought for
every word, who beholdiDg tho horrid sight,
that | might truthfulv report to her, who
was suffering anguish worse than death,
every word and action that should comfort
and bind up the bleeding wounds of IA heart
too deeply bruised by sorrow. When told
her how like man he acted-hOw like u
horo he dicd--and that to q question again
asked him, if he desired tho services o: n
clergyman" he repIied--"No. do not do
sire the prayers ofmy minister who approves
of the cnslavement Of one Of Gods children,
and added, Il want to go to the scaffold
only in company with the necessary officers
of tho law, and if possible, somo good old
Slave Mother with her children, weeping
and praying to God of all to receive m,
soul" These words, with detailed state
mcnt Of every movement, and especially
tho words of tho poor slave woman already
quoted, God bless you, old man, if couC
! help you would; but l can't.' seemed tC
afford Mrs b. great comfort and consolation
and she apd her friends thanked me will
much feeling for tho interest l, str"usu
that was to them, had taken in their behalf