The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-11-09
TRIAL OF BROWN.
Verdict of the Jury!!
Brown found Guilty of Treason,
Murder and Conspiracy.
Sentenced to be Hung Dec. Second.
HIS SPEECH.

HIS SPEECH.
-r- CHARLEsTowN, Va, Oct. 81.
The arguments of the counsel in the case of
John Brown being concluded, Mr.. Chiffon
asked the Court to instruct the Jury. that if
thev believe the prisoner was not citizen of
Virginia, theycannot convict him in the Court
of Treason. The Court declined, saying the
Constitution did not give rights and immuni-
ties alone, but also responsibilities. 7
Mr.. Chiffon asked another instruction to the
effect that the jury mnst be satisfied as to the
place where the offence was committed wheth-
which the Court granted.
A recess for half an hour was taken, when
the jury came in with the verdict. An intense
excitement prevailed in the Court Room. -
Brown sat up in his bed while the verdict was
rendered. The jury find him guilty of treason.
advising conspiracy with slaves and others to
rebel, and of murder in the first degree.
Brown lay down quietly. He said nothing,
and there was no demonstration of any kind.
Mr.. Chiffon moved an arrest of judgment, both
on account of the error 10 the Indictment
and errors in the verdict The objection in
IICkdfu 70 tuO iudiCttuCub udo Dccu 8iTtduy stob
ed. The prisoner has been tried for an offence
not appearing on the records of the Grand
Jury. The verdict was not on each count sep.
arately. but general verdict on the whole in
dictment. ~ tssg saE
The prisoner has also been found guilty on
both counts for murder of the same person.
It was manifest that he could not be guilty OF
both. By agreement, the points will be argued
Tomorrow morning. Eata q ssti 81 ssi'f
Brown was remanded to Jail 7a + .z
rssa 1sss CHARLEsrowS, Va, Nov 2.
| Russell and Sennett Attorneys from Boston
reached here to-day. I'm no
! Cook was brought before the Magistrate
Court but waived an examination. He was
committed for trial. sA a7f.t 81
| Coppee's trial was resumed. No witnesses
were called for the defense. Mr. Harding
opened the argument for the Commonwealth,
and Hoyt and Griswold followed for the de-
fendant. Mr.. Hunter closed for the prosecu-
ton. The speeches were Of marked ability.
Mr.. Griswold asked for several Instructions
which were all granted by the Court. The
Jury then retired
Brown was then brought into the Cour,
House, which was Immediately thronged.
The Court gave its decision on the motion
to arrest Judgment, overruling the objections
made to the effect that treason cannot be com
mitted sgainst State, excepting by citizen
1t ruled that whenever allegiance was due
treason may be committed Most of the
Stares have passed laws against treason. The
objections as to the form Of the verdict req
dered, were also regarded as insufficient.
The Clerk then asked Brown whether he hat
anything to say why sentence should not b.
pronounced, when Brown stood up, and in
clear and distinct voice, said
have, may it please the Court,a few words
to say. In the first place, deny everything
but what have all along admitted-the de-
sign on my part TO free the slaves. Intend
ed, certainly, to have made as clean a thing o
that matter as did last winter when wen
into Missouri and took the slaves, without tht
swapping of gun, and moved them through
the country, finally leaving them in Canada
j I designed to have done the same thing agair
on large scale; that was all intended.
never did intend to commit mui der or trea-
son, or to destroy property, or TO excite Of
incite rebellion, and make an insurrection.
j | have another objection, and that is, it il
! unjust that / should suffer such penalty =
4 Had interferled in the manner which l ad-
mit-and which admit has been fairly prov
! ed--for I admire the truthfulness and can
i dor of the greater portion of the witnesse
who have testified in this case-had | so in-
terferred in behalf of the rich, the powerful
the intelligent, the so-cailed great, or in behai
1 of their friends her brother or sister, wife
/ or children, or any of that class, and suffered
or sacrificed what have in this interference
it would have been all right Every man il
this Court would have deemed it an act no
unworthy of reward or unworthy of punish
ment. This Court acknowledges suppose
the Law of God. g3s =a faa .:r:5-'
see book kissed here which I supposl
to be the Bible, or at least the New Testa-
ment, that teacles me that all things whatso-
4 ever would that men should DO to me
should do even 60 TO them. 1t teaches mi
i further, to remember themthat are in bonds a
bound with them. / endeavored to act up t,
that instruction. l say am yet too young
/ TO understand that G cd is any respector of per
4 SONS. believe that to have interfered as
have done, as have always freely admitted
) / have done, in behalf of his despised poor
was not wrong but right. Now it is deemed
necessary that should forfeit my life for th'
!; furtherance of ends of Justice and mingle m,
blood further with the blood of my children
and with the blood of millions in this slav,
country whose rights are disregarded BY wick
ed, cruel and unjust enaciments. a,, IL -,
am entirely satisfied with the treatment
have received on my trial. Considering all th'
circumstances, it has been more generous thai
l expected; but feel no consciousness o
guilt. have stated from the first what wa
my intentions, and what was not. l never hat
any design against the life of any person, no
. any disposition to commit treason, or to excit,
i slaves to rebel or make any general insurrec.
ton. ] never encouraged any man to do Sc
but always discouraged any idea of that kind
:. Let me say also in regard 10 the statement
made by some of those connected with me-
!, hear it has been stated by some of then
that have enduced them to join me; but th
contrary is true. do not say this to injun
them. but as regretting their weakness. N,
one Joined me but of his own accord, and tn
greater part al their own expense. A mum.
, ber of them never saw, and never had
word of conversation with till the day the
came to me, and that was for the purpose
have stated. have done. % - 's'<' E.
!, While Brown was speaking, perfect quie
= prevailed. When he had finished the Cour
proceeded to pronounce the sentence after
8 few preliminary remarks in which he said n
e reasonable doubt could exist as to the prison
al Suitt' Ei0 scutCHccu uitii " uo
: public on Friday the ID of December.
Brown received the sentence with compos
ure. The only demonstration made was tn
clspping of hands bv one man in the crow,
Z who is not resident of Jefferson county. 1h
d was promptly suppressed, and much regre
q was expressed by the citizens at its occurrence
9 The verdict 10 Coppee's case, after bein
n out an hour, the jury returned with verde
declaring Coppee guilty on all the counts
the Indictment
:. His counsel gave notice Of motion to al