Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-11-10
John Browns Speech.

Probably the most remarkable speech on
record is that made by Old John Brown, when
asked if he had anything to say why sentence
should not be pronounced. 1t is as follows:
have, may it please the Court, few words
to say. In the first place, deny everything
but what / have already admitted, of design
on my part to free slaves. | intended, certain
ly, to have made a clean thing of that matter,
as did last winter, when | went into Missouri,
and there took slaves without the swapping of a
gun on either side, moving them through the
country, and finally leaving them in Canada
desired to have done the same thing again on
larger scale. That was all l intended. l
never did intend murder or treason, of the
destruction of property, or to excite or incite
slaves to rebellion, or to make instruction.
have another objection, and that is, that it
is unjust that l should suffer such penal
| ty. Had | interferred in the manner-and
which | admit has been fairly proved-for
admire the truthfulness and candor of the great
er portion of the witnesses who have testified in
this case-had so interered in behalf of the
rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called
great, or in behalf of any of their friends,
either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or
children, or any of that class, and suffered and
sacrificed what l have in this interference, it
would have been all right Every man in this
Court would have deemed it an act worth q
reward rather than punishment.
This Court acknowledges, too, as l suppose,
the validity of the law of God | see a book
kissed which | suppose to be the Bible, or at
least the New Testament, which teaches mo that
''all things whatsoever would that men should
do to me, | should do even 80 to Them" 1t
teaches me further, to remember them that
are in bonds as bound with them" | endeavor-
ed to act up to that instruction. | say | am
yet too young to understand that God is any
respecter of persons. l believe that, to have
interfered as | have done, as have always
freely admitted | have done, in behalf of his
despsed poor, have done no wrong, but right.
Now 1T is deemed necessary that should for
felt my life for the furtherance of tho ends of
justice, and mingle my blood further with the
blood Of millions in this slave country whose
rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel and
unjust enactments. | say, let it be done.
Let me say one word further | feel entirely
satisfied the treatment have received on nv
trial. Considering all the circumstances. it has
been more generous than expected, but feel
no consciousness OF guilt have stated from
the first what was my intention, and what
was not. never had any design against the
liberty of any person, nor any disposition to
commit treason or excite slaves to rebel or
make any general instruction. l never en-
Outraged any man to do so, but always dis
couraged any idea of that kind
Let me say something, also, in regard to the
statements made by some of those who were
connected with me- hear that 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 regarding
their weakness. Not one but Joined me of bis
own accord, and the greater part at their own
expense. number Of them never saw, and
never had word of conversation with, till the
|, day they came to me. and that was for the pur-
, pose have stated. Now have done.
While Mr. Brown was speaking, perfect
quiet prevailed, and when he had finished. the
. Judge proceeded to pronounce sentence upon
him.
9 SENTENCE OF BROWN.
= After few preliminary remarks. the Judge
said that no reasonable doubt could exist of thu
guilt of the prisoner, and sentenced him to be
4 hung IN public, on Friday, the I'd of De,ember
, next.
: Mr. Brown received his sentence with com
y posure.