New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-08
JOHN BROWNS INVASION.
THE MARTIAL LAW ILLEGAL-REACTIoN
AGAINST WISE.

NofresIob4tatF
CHARLEsTowS, Monday Night, Dee. s. 1889
The excitement has almost completely died out
much to the ehsgTin of those who have been goyiOg
in fuss and festhers durrg the last two or three
weeks Some two hundred troops left for their homes
on Saturday, and quite alarge number took their de-
parture to-day. The garrison" now consists of not
more than six hundred men, and IL Is sd tins plumber
wil be kept here until after the fall of the cuTtain IN
he second act Of the drama on the 18th inst. Were
il lot that human life has been taken both AZ the on
,apebt at Hsrpers Ferry and at the close Of the scene
4 char.stowp. the whole affair might justly be termed
a ridiculous farce The gsrri-oning of the town by
IN. +" grand army" Of Gov. Wise, the driving thence
OF all not personally known to the powers that
be and the expulsion or rather exclusion, from the
Geld OF execution Of all the people Of the surrounding
country, gives the whole aIair such air Of ludi-
erousDes that the ve-itf Virginia fre-eater
out Of the royal family" cannot help laughing
in bis sleeve at the very thought Of the many out
ndsh scenes enacted here during the past few weeks.
II has been "one grand effort" to make Henry A.
Wire the author Of the sentiment "the union of the
"Wbigs for the sake Of the Union If not President Of
The United States at least President Of the tobeformed
"Soutbern Republic" la fact heard member
elect Of the Virginia Legislature state in front of the
ton, that "a stranger arriving in midst would
"tbbk he was already in the capital Of the Southern
"Republie. One of the Governors first acts was to
"sppoIDt near relative Con mander-in Chief, who,
.ialthoush lie served in the Mexican aid TO
"General afserward President, Frank Pierce, knows
'more about drilling potatoes than he does OF drilling
can army. This gentleman appoints host Of aids,
and these aids have their attaches, all if not con-
"neeted with the Royal blood" deeply affiliated
with The Governors political prospects. o. Jen-
pipes Wise the Governors son, a of
education aud fortune, was found in the ranks,
and much has been said that score.
Why, il was the only capacity left in which
be could participate in the campaign Of the "grand
Amy" by the anti-duelling law of Virginia, be is
prohibited from holding any commission whatever
under the State, and hence his ambition TO JOIN the
ranlf. Had il not been for this impeachment, who
doubts that the lustIious of such illustrous
sire We uld have been attached TO the MaorGenerals
staff On Friday morning last, when said staff rode to
the fed Of execution fifty strong. The people of
Charlestown, as well those of the surrounding
country are perfectly disguised at this miserable at
tempt Of Henry A. Wise to make himself great man.
He has evidently Overshot the mark and the reaction
will fall with terrible effect on him.
There was divine service in several Of the churches
Yesterday, but as far as / can learn Susion what
ever was made TO the recent hanging of Capt. John
Brown. The aud ences rather liglt, composed
principally Of soldiers; the people from the surrounding
country having been kept out Of town on the day of
the execution, appear 10th TO come in now that it is
over.
As an evidence Of the extreme ignorance of those
appointed TO manage affairs here may state that at no
time has martial Tar been officially declared yet a
60 pplete espionage has been placed on both the Rail
road and Telegraph. For a week pact dispatch
could be sent the wires unless having been ex-
amned and passed upon by Major General TaliaferrO
pronounced here Toli-ver and the railroad prohb
tied from landing embarking passengers unless by
express permission OF the aforesaid commander. Now,
as The State nehert railroad the telegraph
1t is shrewdly expected by that the State hasmost
crmipally tempered with private rights. They e'tab-
lshed censorship the press, every representative
was deeply scrutinized, and yet The TRIBUNE paper
scarcely allowed TO come through the Post-ofhee
had and stil has its correspondents both here and at
Harper's Ferry.
Gov. Willard lie said to be in Richmond, making
every effort TO have the punishment of his brotherln
law, Cook commuied The Governor has power
in the premises, be having power 10 interfere in
case Of treason; but the Legislature has the power, by
eDacng special law, either To commute or pardon.
Al that body is in session. something may possibly
be done In bis case. When Cuba invaded by hhi-
clustering Americans the Government took the lives OF
tie first few taken prisoners but when the main army
Of Gen. Lopez was taken, the men were imprisoned
but short time and then released and many of them
now pesceable and respectable citizens Admitting that
Cart John Brown and his men did wrong in invading
Virginia was that act criminal than the attempted
seizure of the Island of Cuba by few hot headed and
mis- guided Americana Old Spain could afford to act
generously toward the invaders Of her so cannot the
Legislature, the true and legitimate Government Of
Virginia, be induced to act in like manner The
s. roEt and face OF the offending" has been removed;
John Browd is dead al the imprisonment for life of
hs jollowersdeluded not, the world may choose
TO call them--cannot possibly do harm.
Cook, Coppic, and the negroes, dong all in their
power to prepare for their end and their request that
but as few persons possible shall be allowed to see
them, has been complied with. Stephen sand Hazlett
remain nhe same calm state. 1t lis supposed they will
both be tried here
THE JOHN BROWN FUND.
he has ehad Ia "a