The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-17
HE HARPERS FERRY OUTBREAK.
MP sAMrEI. @. HOWE. or BOSTON

POSITION IN THE HARPER FERRY AFFAIK-GOv.
WISE AND THE BOSTON ABoLITIoNIsTs, ETC., ETC.
OUR BOSTON CORRESPONDENTS
BosroN, Nov. IA, 1850
The question, "Who is DR.. S. G.. Hover has been so
often propounded in of the public journals since the
Harpers Ferry affair, and especially since the Col.
Forbes correspondence appeared In tho columns OF the
HERALD, that word two about Dr. H. may not be I'M
interesting or uninstructive at this junciure
Dr. Howe old resident of this city, and an old anti
slavery advocate He is about sixty years Of age, is Of
rather cadaverous aspect with rongray locSs-a little
more gray than IRON He glasses, but
none-beng strict temperance man Like his
conduct in the Harper's Ferry matter-K he had
any conduct in tho looks and talks daggers, bat
none Not at all deficient physical courage he shrnks
from any personal responsibility that may endanger his
present high professional position ard reputation Massa
chusetts throughout New England Evidence of this
was afforded at the time of the Shadrach this
city Os5l). Although he warmly espoused the Of
the fugitive slave yet when the critical moment for action
arrived have il from good authority-Dr Howe ex.
hbed the moral tmidy of young girl, and displayed
greater evidence of desire that his stomach should be
inedit about dinner timethan he did that he pos
sessed bowels of compassion for the bondman. He
witness in this for the government against the
cuers, and his memory his examination proceeded,
seemed slngulary obscure upon points on which
was eckoled 20 be very clear His want OF frmncss on
him much IN the estimation OF his antishyery friends;
and find him again prominent in the various excite
mens attendant upon the rendition OF the slaves Sims and
Burns II mistake NOT, he was an officer OF the abolition
meeting Fancull Hall the night when the attack was
made upon the Court House, where Burns confined
in which murderous assault poor Batcheder, officer Of
the government on duty Tor the purpose OF uphold.
ing the laws, was hal barousy assssiuated at this
time, also, he was one of the OF an
abolition print called the Commonwealth which
continually uerlng the most atrocious aud hbes
about the souteIuers wo were then in the city, looking
ii Ign1l1 a,rtf
buGng, situated most egbly Tor the purpose at the cor
ncr u Washington and State Streets missiles OF dabo
Cal character were thrown upon the so!dery as they
passed by % their tuy escotng the slave, Burns
government yrsseln waiting TO convey him. .'wh all the
honors" back to scFvitudc Among The articles thrown
from che windows Of the Communicable office AT this
such interesting love pellets walls OF vrol which,
breaking upon the ponmels OF the saddles Of the cavalry
gave the riders burning desire to be reveaged upon
their cowardiy ASSISTANTS. But il is question whether
DIR. Howe was coguizan Of these transactions; and is
than likely that individuals who did any good
for the unfortunate OF any race, white black
tied to the gnomny OF these our ageous assaults upon
citizen sodiery while in the act OF performing solemn
ami Imperative duty.
DR.. Howe is undoubtedly anti-slayery man in the
broadest sense In the WORDS Of veteran il the cause
he rs ke hundreds OF others at the North, who would
like 10 the nggers away order that the Southern
planters might have chance Of hong themselves
But, that he would put torch a knife into the
hands OF Infatuated and savage negro TO
burn and murder indiscrimnately those who know him
best here do not Tor moment believe. And when one
glances at the bright history good deeds Dr. Howe has
achieved IN the cause OF righteous and God.oving hu-
mainly, his mind must shrink with horror at imagining
for moment that such should have any c1rnpi.
city dopgs OF frghtl character as the Harper's
Ferry affair nearly Initiated must lose faith in his
Maker deny that we creatures are formed in Uis
image, and be convinced thar We are all children Of
the DEVIL TO arrive at the conviction that who with
his wand Of science, mercy, patience and grace in one
hand gives sight, light ana 10 the deaf the dumb
the blind could III the other hold bloody weapon OF ser
vile insurrecionof destruction for the innocent and I'M
oGendng But if 'this man bath done this deed let him.
IKE the Others suffer- and Them let us all pray for the
millennium.
During Or. Howe's experience of many years, as su
perntenGent of the Asylum for the Blind the Deaf and
Dumb at South Boston many OF the wonderful and
interesting cases OF physical and mental darkness were
brought before him for scientific examination IN
der divine grace he has succeeded in eectng some OF
the most rearkab the world occult science has
known. The case of one-Mss Laura Bridgman is
OF worldwide 1t will be remembered tina, Miss
Bridgman was, beside being stone blind also deaf and
dumbfrom BIRTH Whata blank. what desoation must the
patience and by the exercise OF his great Skill Dr. Howe
finally caused that dreary, mental waste 10 be lumlned
with the eulgen light OF reason, reflection and compre
henson So highly the mind of Miss Bridglnan cul-
tvaed that she could learnedly, through the
medium OF her magic like pencil, with OF our most
distinguished savapts upon the most aostruse subec
He also had taste for the humorous and when on one
occasion Governor of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
boutwell,, beIeve-paid an official visit to Dr. Howe,s
Institution, Miss Bridgman with Visions aas-not visions
but with probably the taste of pumpkin pies and
keys before hernaivey desired him ..aboish Fastday
and give the people two Thanksgiving days year,
The case of Miss B. is but of many in which DR.
Howe has operated with miraculous effect.
In conclusion permit to reterae the opinion here
universally expressed, that Dr. Howe has not counte-
nanced violence in this Harpers Ferry shocking business
but that he would not hinder slave from escaping from
bondage Is equally believed true He is benevolent a
good man; and in his anti slavery tendencies he out
steps the bounds of prudence and constitutional right let
him be ptied well blamed. II is indeed pity that
at the North SO many good and great minds should be-
come crazy and SO many warm hearts become sour cold
and bitter upon mpractcable theory the inme-
date abolition Of African slavery in the United States
The prompt and vigorous action of the authorities
gina in regard 10 the Harper Ferry nsurrectons has
had most saluary effect among the intense abotionists
here. 1t scarcely believed by some that Gov Wise
would have acted with so much hrrnness and wisdom:
and the abolition revolutonsts have the conclu
sion that is not worth while rskng their necks for the
freedom Of those who show will desire 10 remain
pers Ferry outbreak.
Your correspondent asked question to-day of well
known anti slavery man here-a holder one than your
Pcmpey Seward-relatve TO DR.. Howe.
"Ha!" exclaimed the abolitonst, sdoes Gov. Wise
want hmS"
He assured that your correspondent had not the
honor OF Gov. Wises confidence; but he to whom the
question was put was as mum the subject Of as the
ruins of the Convent Of St Ursula, which say nothing
but speak volumes His silence was more potent than his
words.
The execution Of Old Brown will not create SO much
sensation here many distance imagine. He is re-
garded as doomed man, and if leniency mercy is
shown him, 1t is q matter Of doubt whether Gov, Wise
will be thanked for it by the abolitionists.
The matter of the forcble extradton Of such men as
DR. Howe has not been subject Of general thought or
comment here. But If it be attempted, there will be
good Tune Tor the newspapers. FAUNTLEROY
CAPT. JOHN BROWNS EARLY HISTORICAL.