Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-12-02
Lydia siaria ChiId's Reply 10 Gov
Wise.

Z 4
Wise.
Mrs. Maria Child solicited the privilege,
feom Gog. Wise. Of Va, to go to Charlestown,
TO nurse old John Brown. The Governor rs-
plisd 10 her letter, ard the following ere extracts
6 . make from bsF rejoiader. They are TO the
poilt, ana We thuk, places the Governor, as
we'll as the southars. ''ohivaIfyH generally, hors
du eoa5at !
la cur civil but very diplomatic reply 10 ny
ietter, goa inform me that have q coBsti'a-
tion4l right to visit Virginia, Tor peaceful pur-
p0ses, in common With every citizen OF tbs U.
States. vas perfectly veil aware tha, such
was the theory of constitutional obligation in
the Slave States bat was also aware OF what
you omit to mention, viz: that she Constitution
has, III reality, been completely and systematic
c4lly nultiis1 whenever it suited the convent
ence or the policy Of the Slave Power. Your
con titutioaal obligation, for which you profess
90 much respect, has mover proved eny protec-
ton 70 citizens of the Free States wlo happen
el 70 have biack; brown, or yellow complex
ion; nor to any white eitizan whom you even
| suspected of entertaining opiaions opposite to
Your ogn aa a question of rassa Importance to-
tie temporal welfare and moral example OF cur
eomnloo cauatry. TGis total disregard OF con-
stitutionai obligation bas been manifested net
merely dy toe Lynch law Of mo5s IN the Slave
Statea, bn, by thu deliberate ao'ion Of mags-
,Fites AID legislators. What regard was pail
to constitutional obligation in South Caroils,
when Massachusetts sent the Hon. Mr. Hoar
there as al envoy, on purely legal efrand!-
dr. uedrick, Professor of Political ECONOMY
in the University Of North Carolina, had con-
s;ltutIonal right to reside 10 that State. What
regard was paid to that right, when he 9as drlv-
eo from home, merely for declaring ths. lie con-
eidored Slavery impolitic system, Injurious
to tie prosperity OF States? What respect for
constitutional rights was manifested by Alabama
( when bookseller 10 Mobile was compelled to
/ fee for bis life, because he had, at the special
| request Of some Of he ei,zens, imported few
copies of novel that everybody vss curious
/ to readt Your own citizen, Mr. Underwood,
had constitutional right to live in Virginia,
and voie for whomsoever be pleased. What
regard was paid TO bis rights, when be was
driven ffpm yout State for declaring himself in
! fayor CT the election of Fremont! WIKI these,
AID a multitude of other examples before your
| eyes, it wouid seem as if the less that was said
| about respect fos constitutional obligation at
! the Spuih, the better. Slavery is, in fact, an
infringement of all law, and adheres to no law
save fer It's own purposes of oppression
You accuse Capt. John Brown Of "whettug
knives Of butcLery for the mothers, sisters,
daughters and babes Of Virginia; and YOU
inform me or tae we'll known fact that he is
sarraigned for the crimes Of murder robbery
and treason" will 40, here stop TO explain
why believe that Old hero to be no criminal,
but martyr to principles which be sought to
advance BY methods sanctioned by bis own re-
/ ligious views, though not by mine Allowing
that Capt. Brown did attempt a scheme ia
which murder, robbery, and treason were, to
his OWE consciousness involved, do not see
how Gov Wise can consistently arraigu him
for crimes he has himself commended. You
have threatened 10 trauple ON the Constitution
and break the Union, if a majority of the e-
gal voters in these Confederated States dared
to elect President unfayorable to the extern
sion Of Slavery. Is not such declaration
proof OF prcmeditated treason! Ia the Spring
of 1912, you made speech in Congress, from
which copy the following:
''Once set before the people of tho Great
Valley the conquest vf the rich Mexican Prov
inces, and you might as well attempt to stop
the wind. The Government might send It's
troops, but they would run over them like
herd of buffalo. Let the work once begin, aud
/ do not know that this House would hold ne
very long Give me FIVE millions Of dollars,
and | would undertake to do it, myself. Al
though DO not know bow to set a single
squadron in the field. could ind ulan to do it,
Slavery should pour itself abroad without re-
straint, aud ind no limit but the Southern
Ocean. The Camanches should no longer hold
the richest mines of Mexico Every golden
image which hath received the profanation Of
false worship, should soon be melted down into
good American eagles. / would cause as
much gold to cross the Rio del NcIte as the
mules of Mexico could carry; aye, aud /
would make better use of it, too, than any la
zy, bigcted priesthood under heaven"
When you thus boasted that you and your
s'booted loafers'' wouli oyerrun the troops of
the United States s.iike herd of buffalo" ;f
the Government sent them to arrest your inya-