Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-11-12
oTHE mRlpRrsslBLE c0NtlIcr"

" TIE IRREPRESNiBLE tUNfLICI.
John Browns sentence is death. He is to
be hanged on the 2nd of Dee next lie was
accused of treason, murder and an attempt to
induce the slaves to an instruction, and was
found guilty by the jury. 1t is stated that the
Governor of Virginia has no power to pardon
one convicted of treason. This can only be
done by the legislature and the Legislature
of that State docs not meet till January. So
that Browns fate seems inevitable. lie was
tried when sick and weak. too feeble to stand
or sit, and was obliged to lie on couch. His
trial was hurried through with unbccomng
haste and it is very doubtful whether it was
conducted according to due forms of law. 1t
is not certain that he was guilty of either of the
crimes alleged against him. There was 10 in
surrection of any of the slaves. Brown declares
land he is an honest man they say) that he had
no intention to commit murder or trcason.--
His sole object was to liberate slaves to free
his brethren from bondage; to put men and
women into the enjoyment of the "inalienablc
right of liberty" To this extent in motive and
design was he criminal; no more. We disap-
prove of his lawless foray. 1t was rash and
foolish as well as lawlcss. We condemn such
attempts to liberate the slaves. But we cannot
but admire the heroic and martyr spirit, the
honest and truthful character of the man. lie
is conscious of no crime. He believes himself
impelled by sense of duty; acting in accord
ance with the Golden Rule. lie was cruelty
wronged, and shamefully treated while in Kan
sas by the mnions of the slave power. 1t was
natural that he should form an unalterable pur-
pose to do all in his power to weaken and des-
troy the institution of slavery.
And if the abettors of slavery could destroy
property and murder peaceful citizens for the
purpose of infiicting the curse of slavery on
Kansas, the people of the south must not think
it strange that some should be found who are
ready to risk their lives to give freedom to their
bondmen. And they should also know that the
execution of Brown and his associates will not
put an end to their troubles. They may rave
at the Abolitionisls of the North they may try
to implicae the Republican party in the affair
at llarper's Ferry; they may say and do what
N '''' JN'N 'N AeiiS 90 tlt 4Nldlll INC lliNtl-
tuition of slavery among them, just so long will
they walk over volcanic fires which may at any
time burst forth and bury them in ruins. They
can have no peace, no security, while they cher
ish this poisonous serpent in their BOSOM
Their only safety is in dispelling the dreadful
storm that lowers over them, by adj pting time
ly and judcious measures to put legal end to
this "sum of all vianes !" this great curse of
our country. Slavery is doomed Sooner or
later il will come TO an end All the forces of
modern civilization are armed against it. All
the higher instincts of humanity cry out against
it. The mighty current of public opinion, the
powerful influence of the press, and the cal
mighty Dollar" all have pronounced its final
overthrow We hope its end will be bloodless
and peaceful. 1t is for the South to determine
whether it shall end thus, or whether it shall
expire amid blood and carnage.