The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-11-03
Trial Of the InsurrectiOnists.

s,rlessrs. Russell and Lennot, attorneys from
Boston, reached here to-day. Cook was
brought before the Magistrates Court, but
waived an examination. He was committed
for trial. A e. q
Coppe's trial was resumed. No witnesses
were called for the defense. Mr.. Harding
opened the argument for the Commonwealth and
Hoyt and GrisHold followed for the defendant
Mr.. Hunter closed for the prosecution. The
speeches were of marked ability. ME Girls
void asked for several instructions which were
all granted by the Court. Tho jury then re-
tired. Brown was then brought into the Court
House, which was Immediately tbronged. The
Court gave Its decision on the motion to arrest
judgment, overriding the objections made.
On the objection that treason can not be COM
mitted against State except by a citizen, It
ruled that wherever allegiance was due, treason
may be committed; most of the States have
passed laws against treason. The objections
as to the form Of the verdict rendered we're also
regarded as insufficient. st dsiT adlZ.ot
The Clerk then asked Brown whether he
had anything to say why sentence should not
be pronounced, when Brown stood up, and in
a clear and distinct voice saidr have, may
it please the Court, few words to say. In
the first place, deny everything but what !
have all along admitted--the design on my
part to free the slaves-a-I intended certainly
to have made clean thing of that matter, as
I did last winter when went into Missouri
and then took the slaves without the snap.
ping of gun on either side, and moved
them through the country, and finally left
them in Canada. / designed 10 have done
the same thing again on larger scale. That
was all ] intended; never did intend to
commit murder or treason or to destroy prop
erty, or to excite or incite the slaves to rebel
lion, or to make an insurrection. / have an
other objection, and that ia unjust that ]
should suffer such penalty. Had ] inter
fered in the manner which admit, and
which admit has been fairly proved, for ]
admire the truthfulness and candor of the
greater portion of the witnesses who have
testified in this case. Had SO interfered in
behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelli-
gent, the so-called great, or in behalf Of their
friends, either father, mother, brother, sister,
wife or children, or any Of that class, and
suffered and sacrificed what have in this
interference, it would have been all right.
Every man in this Court would have deemed
it an act worthy Of reward rather than pun
ishment.
This Court acknowledges, suppose, the va
lidity of the law of God. I see book kissed
here which suppose to be the Bible, or at
least the New Testament, that teaches me that
all things whatsoever would that men should
do unto me, l should do even 20 unto them 1t
teaches me further, to remember them that are
in bonds as bound with them. I endeavored
to act up to that instruction. say I am yet
too young to understand that God Is any re-
spector of persons. believe that to have in
terfered as have done, ss have always
freely admitted I have done In behalf of his
despised poor was no wrong, but right now 1t
ia deemed necessary that l should forfeit my
life for the furtherance of the ends of justice,
and mingle my blood further with the blood Of
my children and with the blood Of millions in
this slave country, whose rights are disre-
garded by wicked, cruel and unjust enact
ments, admit SO let it be done. feel en-
tirely satisfied with the treatment have re-
ceived op my trial, considering all tho circum-
stances. It has been more generous than I
expected, but feel no conscientionsness of
guilt. have stated from the first what,wss
my intentions, and what was not. neverha
any design against the life Of any person. nor
any disposition to commit treason or to excite
the slaves to rebel or make any general ihsur-
rection--never encouraged any man to Do SO,
but always discouraged any idea of that kind.
Let me say also in regard to the statements
made by some of those connected with ma I
hear it has been STAGED by some of them that I
induced them to join me, but the contrary is
true. do not say this to injure them, but as re-
gretting their weakness not one Joined me
but of his own accord, and the greater part at
their own expense; number Of them never
saw and never had q word of conversation with
till the day they came to me, and that was for
the purpose have stated. Now have done.''
While Brown was speaking perfect quiet pre-.
vailed. When he had finished the Court pro-
ceeded to pronounce the sentence. After q
few preliminary remarks, in which he said NO
reasonable doubt could exist as to the prison
er's guilt, he sentenced him to be hung, in
public, on Friday, December 2. NJ Ipi
Brown received the sentence with COM
posare. The only demonstration made was
with the clappiDg Of hands by one marin The
crowd, who was not resident Of Jefferion
County. This was promptly suppressed, and
much regret was expressed by the citizens at
its occurrence. E5 r4
After being out an hour, the jury in the case
of Coppee returned with a verdict declaring
Coppee guilty on all the counts of the indist-
ment. His counsel gave notice Of q motion to
arrest Judgement, as in Browns case. The
Court then adjourned. i EtbG SdT #