Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-10-28
THE LATE INsURRECTIoN.
From the Constitution.

1t cannot fail to be both interesting
and instructive to our readers to know
how the tidings of the reasonable and
murderous plot prematurcly developed at
liarper's Ferry were received in different
parts Of the Union. Public opinion re-
jccts the pretence set up by portion of
the opposition press that Brown was in
sane, and that the whole affair arose from
the sudden conceit of avindictive maniac.
The Boston Courier thus disposes of
this plea
"In the case of the gallant Brown
as the Advertiser styles him, he is held
by some insane, because the expedition
was hair Drained and without any of the
elements of probable success. 1t is not
to be forgotten that this theory equally
involves the insanity of all those associ-
atcd with him. 1t appears from the
narration that Brown, no doubt an igno-
rant man and incapable of seeing the end
from the beginning, had become infuri-
ated against the institution of slavery
His insanity was passion and of the
same quality as that which inspires the
foul-mouthed vituperators here-Phil-
lips, Parker, Garrison and the rest--and
in New York and observation-disclosures,
Bcecher, Gcrrit Smith, Giddings, and
others of that stamp These let off their
pent-up fury in popular harangues; but
Brown, having no such forum for which
he is fit, takes to the Sharp's rifles, re-
commended by some of the orators and
reverend preachers before mentioned /;
and which they took up contributions for
in the churches, two years ago, to supply
them to Brown ard his associates in Kan
sas. If he is insane, therefore, they
are all insane alike; if he is guilty, they
are no less so, though not to be com
pared with him in courage, for they keep
safely enough out of the danger of overt
acts.
''In general, we judge Of mans legal
accountability for his deeds by the ca
pacity of his mind to entertain connected
ideas, and his intellectual ability to carry
them into effect All villany is folly ;
most of its attempts are, in common par
lance, madness; for we suppose that
very large majority of crimes are detected
and punished This sort of insanity
offers no excuse at the bar of justice or
the tribunal of morals. In the case of
Brown, he laid a deliberate plan-no
doubt in concert with others not yet ex-
posed-to carry out a scheme of insur-
rection, which, though it could not be
very general with such means as he could
command, yet might have proved far
more extensive and mischicvous than it
did"
The Southern journals concur in put
ting the responsibility upon the party
who have promised us an ''irreprcssible
conflict"
The Richmond Enquirer, in temper
ate article, expresses the general senti-
ment Of Virginia on this point. 1t
says:
"The Southern people have heretofore
disregarded the rawlings of the Northern
fanatics. because they believed such mad
ness to be merely pecuniary specula-
ton bit he amount Of nancy with which
these wretches at IIarpcr's Ferry were
supplied shows that the Northern fanat-
les mean more than WORDS, and are de-
termincd to wage witk men and money
the 'irrepressible conflict to the bitter
end. Another fact, showing the amount
of money at the disposal Of these wretch
ca, is found in a Baltimore paper, that
large purchases Of percussion caps, with
orders for more from New York, were
made last week in that city. Whence
came this money? This question, per-
haps, will never be answered, but fact
that large sum of money was at the
disposal of these wretches is beyond
doubt. Who supplied the money will
never be ascertained, but the extent Of
hatred to the South may be somewhat
measured by this pecuniary fact
THE Harper's Ferry emeute failed by
a mistaken idea Of the temper Of Virginia
slaves. The late effort was made after
passing into slave State; but how long
before the abolition fanatics Of Cinciu-
natl may seize Newport, in Kentucky,
away from the marines at Washington,
and within hailing distance Of the depot
of Western abolitionism Virginia has
been assailed. All the memories Of her
sacrifices for the Union ayailed nothing
to protect the soil that gave pcrmanency
10 the Union. The name and family Of
Washington offered no protection from
the assaults Of these fanatics. Since
these things are patent, what safety has
kentucky from the hordcs that swarm
upon her border on the Ohio side ? The
aid Of the Fcdcroi Gore, nDlent was near
IIarpcr's Ferry, and was inhandS Jaith-
fm 10 Me Constitaion; but another year
may place that aid ia the hands of our
assailants, and the higher law Of an ir-
repressiblc conflict urge on and strength
en- the hands that murder our families
and pillage our property. Is there no
remedy? Shall the South, divided by
useless conflicts about federal politics,
fall MS single victims to marauding bands
Of Northern fanatics? Can there be no
union Of council, action and arms among
States so vitality interested in the integ-
rity Of each ?
Before 4 question Of such vital i'm
portanco let party politics sink, and the
grave fact Of safety to life and property
rise above all other subjects"
The New York JoHnm If Commerce
comments properly on the poor apologies
by leading republican organs
=" No wonder that the EUening Post,
Tribune, and othcy jotVnais Of the same