Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-12

Interesting Statements by Hon. j. NJ. Ashley.
The Hon. ]. II. ASHLEY, member of Congress
from the Toledo district, was one oi the very
iew Northern men who witnessed the execution
of Captain John Brown, and his presence was
the result of his courage and indomtable will.
lie rendered kind Offices to Mra Brown, and in
letter to bis family he has furnished many
facts of interest rot before published-espeeial-
ly to Browns bearing and words, and the treat.
meEt of Mrs. Brown. The Toledo Blade has
published several extracts of interest from
which we have only room this morning for the
f,lowing
Thousands all over the country will ask, and
he unable to answer the question, "Why has
there been so much excitement and SO much
fear exhibited by the Southern people at this
lI4rpers Ferry AFFAIR."" / answer it is insepa-
Tablc from the system of slavery. A seTyile
nsurrection is always TO be feared, because il is
the most terrible of all the evils that can beiall
people who claim to own their laborers. Men
Iuay talk as they will but tell you there is
smOuldering volcano burning beneath the crust
ready to burst forth at any moment; and an en-
envy TO the peace of almost every hearth stone,
IS lurking in the heart of the apparently sub
nissigely lashed slave, and only those who
have passed through outbreak like this or the
Southampton insurreetiOn, can comprehend the
danger aud know for certainty that it exists.
To day, as the old chief was brought from the
prison TO be put into the wagon and taken TO
the place of execution, a slave woman, having
perhaps heard me spoken of as an Aboltionis'.
said ia my hearing and / suppose that /
should hear il, Just as the old man seated him
self on his GOTTA: "God bless you old man; III
could help you, Ils0uid; but Ieaat." The ooun,
tensnces ofal the Slaves told too plainly oftheir
sympathy.
Although the military display may have been,
as is claimed by many, too large, and has in
creased the excitement military force of some
kind was not only necessary, but it was abso-
lutely indispensable to keep the slave masters
al home, TO watch their property" not from fear
Of the Northern "Abolitionists;" but simply
from fear Of the "propertg."
My interview with Mrs Brown and her
frisnds who were anxiously awaiting my return
to communicate the conclusion Of the matter,
was such cannot be put Upon paper. was
undoubtedly the only one, who, among all that
throng, watched iympalhizingly every move
and sought for every word, while heholdng the
horrid sight, that might truthluIly report to
her, who was suffering anguish worse than
death, every word snd action that should com
Tort and pima up tno bleeding Wounuh ol n
heat too deeply bruised by sorrow. When
told her how like man he aoted-how like a
hero he died-and that to q question agiin
asked him, If he desired the services Of a
clergyman" ne rephed--"No. do not desire
the prayers of any minister who approves Of
the onslavement Of one Of Gods children, -
aud added, II want to 60 to the scaflold only
in company with the necessary officers of the
Law, and If possible, some good old Slave
Mother with her children, weeping and prly
ing 10 God Of all 10 receive my soal." These
words, with a detailed statement Of every
movement, and especially the words of the
you, old man, if could help you | would; bot
i can't" seemed TO afford Mrs B. great com
Tort and consolation, and she and her friends
thanked me with much feeling for the interest
4, stranger that l was to them, had taken il
their behalf