The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-11-16

y Probably the most remarkable speech
on record is that made by Old John
Brown. when asked it he had anything 20
say why sen tence should not ho pro-
nounced. It is a. follows
have, may il please the Court, u few
words TO say. In the first place, ! deny
everything but what have already adj
mitted, Of design on my part to free
slaves. | intended, certainly, to lave
made clean thing Of that maitor. 30, T
did last winter, when ! went into Missouri.
and there took Slaves without the snapri.Yt
Of a gun on either side, moving thcm
through the country, and finally leaving
them in Canada [ desired 10 have done
the same thing again ON larger srala.
That was all intended never did ia
tend murder or treason, or the destruction
of property, or to excite or iDclte slaves
to rebellion, or to make insurrection
L have another objection. and that is,
that it is unjust that should suffer such
penalty. Had l interferred in the man
ner-and which | admit has been fairly
proved--for admire the truthfuness and
candor Of the greater portion of the wit
nesses who have testified in this case-had
so interfered in behalf of the rich, the
powerful, the intelligent, the So allied
great, or in behalf of any of their friends.
either father, mother, brother, sister, wife.
or children, or any Of that class. and suf.
fertd and sacrificed what | have in this
interference, it wonld have been all right.
Every man in this Court would have
deemed it an act worth reward rather
than punishment.
This Court acknowledges, too, as sup
pose, the validity Of the law of God. I
see book kissed which | suppose to be
the Bible, or at least the New Testament,
which teaches me that all things what.
soever ! would that men shoulu do TO me.
should do even so to them" 1t teaches
me further, to : remember them that are
in bonds as bound with them" | en-
deavored to act up to that instruction. |
say am yet too young to understand that
God is any respector of persons. be-
lieve that, to have interfered as have
done, as | have always freely admitted I
have done, in behalf of his despised poor.
have done no wrong, but right.
Now it is deemed necessary that |
should forfeit my life for the furtheranee
of the ends of justice, and mingle nv
blood further with the blood of millions in
this slave country whose rights are disre.
garded by wicked, cruel and unjust enact
ments, say 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 expected, but I feel no
consciousness of guilt. have stated from
the first what was my intention, and what
was not. l never had any design against
the liberty OF any person, nor any dispo-
sitlon to commit treason or excite slaves
to rebel or make any general Instruction.
never encouraged any man to do so. but
always discouraged any idea of that kind.
Let me say something, also, in regard
to the statements made by some of those
who were connected NTH 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 weak.
ness. Not one but joined me of his own
accord, and the greater part at their own
expense. A number of them never saw.
and never had a word of conversation
with, till the day they came to me, and
that was for the purpose have stated,
Now have done.
While Mr.. Brown was speaking, per.
feet quiet prevailed, and when he had
finished the Judge proceeded to pronounce
sentence upon him.
SENTENCE OF BROWN.
After few preliminary remarks the
Judge said that no reasonable doubt could
exist of the guilt of the prisoner. and
sentenced him to be hung in public, on
Friday, the I'd of December next.
Mr.. Brown received his sentence with
composure.
kr,, ~ y IL /.