Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-11-29

Brown visit in Charlestown al Mr..
Lowrio reached Baltimore just in time to make
The trip with the Richmond troops recently or,
dercd BY Gov. Wiseto Charlcstown, and hay
ing succeeded in satisfying them that he was
not an 'Abllitionist spy" Mr.. l.. escaped the
paris OF Lynch law under their protection,
though carefully watched and guarded" Mr.
Lowry says
On reaching Charlestown l resolved TO keep
near my new made friends, hut in the swayng
of the crowd lost sight OF them, aud as the
Governor was standing at such distance that
it was impossible to reach him, and the crowd
around me began to look with unpleasant
glances on me as a stranger with white cravat
and in citizens dress,I stepped out and address
ed gentleman whom l had heard called Col.
Davis, told him my name and my desire to see
the Governor. lie treated me very politely
and kindly, and after another Intellectual effort
to reach the Governor, consented to take me TO
the Jail himself Other men entered the cell
Of Brown with me And here will state as
siaguar tribute to the noble presence and de-
cided character of this unfortunate man, these
Vireinians who in the cells Of the other prisoners
cracEed their Jokes freely and carelessly, before
him stood silent, as in the presence Of some su-
perior being.
Mr.. Brown did not, at first, recognize me, but
on my giving my name, greeted me cordially
and gratefully. He said there were many whom
he had hoped TO see, whom he had not seen, but
he had not expected TO sec any of his old Craw-
ford county friends He alluded to Crawford
as being very dear to him, as its soil was hal
lowed as the resting place of his former wife
and two beloved children, and the sight OF any
one from that region was most cheering. i
cannot pretend to give his langusge--it was the
natural expression Of deep and impassionod
nature, and as eloquent as words could be ut
tered
remarked to Mr. Brown that there had been
different version given TO his Kansas exploits
by the Herald of Freedom from that which his
friends gave, and ventuIed the opinion that his
reputation demanded an explanation. He re.
piled that he understood my ausion, but that
was mistaken IN supposing that it needed any
retutauons rom him. "lIme and the honest
verdict of posteIity," said he, "will approve OF
every act Of mine 10 prevent Slavery from being
established in Kansas. i never shed the blood
of fellow man except in selt-d,fence or in
| promotion of righteous cause" lie spoke in
Indignant terms OF the editor of the Herald OF
Freedom, characterizing him as "selish unjust,
revengeful, mercenary, untruthlul and corrupt,
| remarked TINT regretted TO hear him speak
of G. w. Brown in such terms, as he was an
old acquaintance OF mine and had been trusted
and respected. His answer was-"Mr. Lowry
you are mistaken if you suppose that anything
that George Washington Blown could say can
tarnish the character of John Brown" During
our conversation, the martial music (where
/ Gov. Wi,e was reviewing the army near the
PRISON. made a great noise, and thinking II
must annoy him l asked him il 1t di I not -
NO said the old man, "itis inspiring ~
And here, as parted with him, telling bin
would see him again, if possible, he repeated tC
me--"Tell those without that am cheerful.
My time was up and was invited to leave.
Mr.. Lowry in the account of his visit publish
ed in the Erie True American from which wC
have copied, says be found that he was the
object of so many little attentions at the hotel
which he did MOI relish, that he found quarters
for the night at the house of Mr.. Geo. B. Mon
roe. aiterhaving, with some difficulty, quieteC
the fears of his good vie, who declared tina
"no abolitionist should sleep in her house" Mr.
L. was told not to be alarmed if he was arrested
during the night, as he would be safer in tn,
hands of the soldiers than in the keeping Of th,
crowd. Pleasant stopping place, that Charles
town
Mr. Lowry wished to see Brown again, ant
expressed wish to stay in his cell all night
but was assured that if his wish even should b.
generally known he might not be safe ; an,
acting under advice lie left on the morning traiI
for Harpcr's Ferry. On the train Mr.. Lowry
met Gov Wise. Mr.. i. says:
In previous conversation with me the even
ing before, he had asked me whether JOIN
Blown was considered an insane man when h,
resided in Pennsy ania. / said that he wa
thought to be sane and honest. In the ears
agked the Governor if he would commute TN
sentence of Mr.. Brown. lie said-'I dare CON
mute the sentence of Brown-and the citizen
Of Virginia would acquesce, but will not dt
it. Why, said he, "John Brown never asked {,
be pardoned." And doubt lchether he tooui,
ask it--if he kneio the asking toOuid obtain IT,
lie said he would rather pardon Brown thar
pardon Cook, and he would pardon neither.
asked the Governor If Browns friends coul,
have his body after his death lie answered.
"lbe Surgeons will claim his body" ! said t.
the Governor that 10 my opinion Brown was
monomaniac and as crazy on the subject o
slavery as Gerrit Smith. lie said "men of thai
kind OF insanity oLght to be hanged"
A very intelligent Virginia gentleman, Mr.
bEbMNt dsktu lue 'WHhl 4 Mlhutu 10 90 VIII
Browns body" told him il would belong t,
his wife-but if his friends would not claim It,
would, if they gave it to me, and bury 1t in m,
own burymg ground Ho remarked that i
would be used for a different purpose if th,
North should get IT. thai Massachusetts woulC
take the head, and other Northern States othe
parts of the body, and each would erect over ii
portion monument higher than Bunker Hill
Mr.. Lowry, when in Jail, saw the other pris
oners. Cook he described as quite young ant
prepossessing in appearance. Brown positive
ly refused to be aided in his prayers by tn
Pro Slavery divines of Virginia. Mr.. LOW,
remarks
] ommitted above to say that Gov. Wise toll
ME there was ono condition on which he woul,
surrender General Brown-which was that
should deliver up TO hnn General Sympathy 70
execution in his stead , he Governor and tn
citizens are evidently moro afraid of the latter
than of the former.
also asked Gov. Wise " tho wife of Johl
Brown. who came all the way lfom her North
ern home as far as Baltimore, returned, never
theless, without seeing her husband. lie re
piled that in this Brown acted heroically, send
iag message to her to implore her not {
come. There are traits in Browns characte
that wiring admiration from the heart of th
Governor, even in spite OF himself Yet Viz
gnia will have the blood of is victims, lo
public opinion there demands the luxury, ex
pensive though it be.
TINES THAT STATE OFptoERs TAKE PossEs
SION or THEIR OFFIcEs The Governor, Lieuten
ant Governor, Treasurer and Secretary of State
take possession of their ofiices on the secop,
Monday in January, and hold them for tw,
years
] Thn AmLiLnr nc aL.La "a A.. -