Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-11-05
The Harper's Ferry Affair.

4 $500 $500
The lIarper's Ferry Affair.
1t is not remarkable that the Harpers Ferry affair
spuld continue to be topic Of interest Old
Brown has been tried and convicted the jury find
inr him guilty of murder in the first degree and of
treason One good hanging will answer for both
crimes but he will no doubt appeal, and delay his
execution as long as possible We trust the gallows
will not Ike cheated of its dues at last During his
trial he exercised his wits to cause delay, and finally
dismissed the counsel appointed for him by the
Court, procuring other counsel, one from Boston
and one or two others from Ohio. In the language
O. the Petersburg Press 1.-The tedious process Of
law kept back the swift hand Of justice" and We
much lear that same process will yet keep back that
hand for many months longer.
The trial of Coppee, one Of Browns confederates,
was commenced on Tuesday last Of course he
vii ,e found guilty, as will be the entire company;
but We fear the tedious process of the law" will
preserve their necks for long time We almost
regret that the whole crew was not summarily dealt
with according to justice, if not exactly according
to llu. Such a fate would have stricken terror to
the craven hearts of their adors and abcttors and
m surely prevented repetition of their 6endish
attempts.
Cook recently captured in Pennsylvania and
sent back to Virginia is the broth-inlaw of Ex Gov.
Willard, of Indiana A correspondent Of the Bal,i-
more Sun gives the following account of an inter-
view between them, Senator Mason being present:
"Governor Willard, of Indiana, visited his broth
er-n-law Cook, yesterday in jail, in company with
Senator Mason. Mr.. Mason proposed to the Cover
nrto retire, when the latter entered suggesting that
b. would probably prefer that his interview should
eprivate and also for the reason that anything
Cook might say he should feel bound to testify to if
edled upon witness. Governor Willard very
promptly replied that he himself would be witness
in court to any facts Cook might communicate, and
insisted that Mr.. Mason should be present Cover
Willard urged Cook to make full confession Of
all he knew connected with the affair at Harper's
Ferry in order to exonerate those who were inno-
Cent and to punish those who were implicated, rs
the only atonement he could now make. Cook sig
nfei his willingness to do So and he will probably
make written confession. He told Cook he had
nothing to hope for but death. Gov. Willard states
that his family had lost sight of Cook for several
years, and supposed he was dead, until, upon read
ing his name in the papers. he determined to visit
Ciarestown to ascertain il he was his relative. Mrs
Willard he states is great distress at the conduc
Of her brother"
One fact will strike the public mind with peculiar
force and that is, that not single Democrat, il
any quarter, has yet been implicated in the slight
est manner, in this diabolical attempt; while Their
Is scarcely a prominent Abolitionist or leading
Black Republican who is not involved Gerre
Smith, Giddings Greedy, Seward, Chase, Hale AM
many others have aided or c,untenanced the move
ment We trust the strong arm Of the federal gov
eminent will be able to reach them all If limo
cent let them rejoice in an opportunity to reliev
themselves from the dark suspicion surroundin
them; and if guilty, that guilt is treason and l.
them receive the traitors doom! ..r ...r....
Suppose Cook had been arrested in State with
Black Republican Governor, think you he woul
nave been so readily delivered up to the Virgini
authorities? Or with Black Republican in tn
presidential chair would the Southern people fe'
secure? Would not the power of the governmer
welded to protect rather than to punish the gui
w We now feel no approximations; for We Ia,
60 'fdence in James Buchanan, and doubt not b
haeity to the Constitution and to his ofici6l 6at
What will be the effect of this outrage on Il
,u'ure politics of the country. time must decide
iaat it will increase the vigilance of the South,
cannot doubt; and we can only hope that it vi
eIsendcr healthier and |. juster feeling 1t Il
north. The South will be calm, but determined
ana will look to the North to correct its errors
olould it repudiate the traitors and their symp
alzsrs, the South will re glad; but should it 81
a'n them, the South must rely on itself, prote
'seli' and vindicate its honor, IN the Union il
Sn-out of it If it must
PUBLIC DEBT OF VIRG1NIA.-The Auditor max
me following statement Of the condition Of the pu
nc debt Of Virginia at the close of the fiscal ye
a" Sept &c. 1853; -, JOG ogT yI,.
amount Of certificates
I" State SIX per Ct cs,,s
registered debt $685. 1916 So
amount of certificates = Jog oWT-TiaL-T
Oh State five per Ct
registered debt, 494.OOO 90
Amount Of certificates VI debt issued Iddh
IN. 10 the form Of Coupon bonds pay
able in New York, l1.9O9, 800
amount Of certificates of debt issued
IN the form Of sterling Coupon :. .sg
'0nds payable in London, 1855, 1000