Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-10-26
The Harper's Ferry Outbreak.

We subioin some additional comments Of the
press upon tho late outbreak at Iiarper's Ferry.
We shall continue the publication from time to
time, until cur readers shall 10 appraised Of pub
lie feeling on the ssbject ia all quarters Of the
Union:
fFram the Norfolk Hcrnd--wbigl
What we publish to-day is the latest that has
been received, and closes the account Of this most
strange and atrocious mo rement by showing that
the prime movers 10 it have all been arrese, eth
or by swords and bullets civil process-tle for
mer sent 10 q higher tribunal TO answer for their
crime and the latter TO take their trial before an
earthly court under the jurisdiction Of Federal or
State authority, as the Federal Judiciary shall
decide.
The more VIC reflect Ola this proceeding Of these
dupes of a rampant fanatcisn in tHs North, the
more We are bewildcred in oui philosophy Of the
human mind livery rational bong, IL might be
assumed would set that n,an down nj once AS
hopelcssly insane who would b Ass broachcd such
project--the accomplishment o (which was utterly
i'm possible and which. il successful for a time
could have effected no ultimate purpose, but must
inevitably oyerwhelm its authors and abettors in
irretrieyable rain aud Infamous death. They
have however. wrought their miuds to this Pich OF
frenzy and they have reaped, ar will reap, tho
fruits Of their insane attempt, Let their fate nd
monsh others TO desist from similar attempts. -
Gerrit Smith, tho leader ot this sect OF ntrocous
fanatics--n nun whose immense wealth gives HIM
apowerfu influence tbem, IN one oil his letters
published month two ago, speaks tthc folly
of attempting ito strike the shackcs off thi slave
by the force of moral suasion or legal agitation,
and predicts that the next movement made IN tho
direction Of negro emancipation, would he M IN
surrection in the South. Perhaps this is the first
attempt 10 verify his prediction.
From the Wheeling Times American
Tho real co-opcrators in this work Of fcndish
malignity, for the present are unknown, bur time
must expose them the affair is not yot thoroughly
sifted; much will be revealed that will surprise
the citizens Of Virginia and Maryland. Generally
this species Of creature the AboltionistS, has not
the courage TO net openly and this mus; render
plain 10 intelligent minds that the war has COM
menced: these few men would not undertake the
movement without numerous promise and proiiers
of assistance. The poor slaves who have been IN
duced by the representations Of these wicked tools
~ .oyolye themselves in difficulty OF ~ serious
character are ~" ouly ones connected with tho uf
fair who arc o..-sying Ut ANY sympathy 1t Is
ever thus, tina. thcsa unnrincipiui aud sncakiug
Williams more closely riw,.rl5 thc chains they
pretend to loosen. The white mon aclua.,g en-
gagged in the bloody affair are nearly all dead: let
the rest be hung ashigh Us lIaman without going
through the mockery--the formality of n uiul.
They and their advisers have thrown uT tic re.
straint OF Virginia law; let il be th own ut IN
their punishment Tho account of the military oi
Virginia and Maryland, is deserving of much com
mendation, prompt to respond to the call for
sistance. and prompt and fearless on the field of
action. We fear the ends not yet---thai this may
be merely the nitiatory step. War of this nature
would be dreadful visitation, but il it come, let
us be prepared. They may be scrisus enough
to require prompt and earnest action. However
great the immediate evil and alarm, it is but one
Of those gusts that purify the moral atmosphere.
1t will show the Abolitionsts that their efforts,
whether covert or open, are futile.
tfrum the cinciIhat azei,e--Blncl Eopubican)
Whoever was at the bottom 81 the late emcutc at
IIarper's Ferry, must have been one of the most
witless as we'll as reckless of knavos. Scarcely
less fanatical and senseless, is the INSCRIPTIONS
partisan who Processes to believe that single sane
man. in any part Of the Union, can feel the least
sympathy with mad procedure lie will not
make even the most credulous old lady believe his
pretence anything but dcspicahle hypocrisy
Those Southern people most affected by the panic
and readieetto believe any extravaganza while tho
whole affair was full of vague doubt aud indefinite
ness, will now SEQ clearly rs the rest Of tho
world that no class OF people at the North could
view such an outbreak with the least mplaceucy
that none but the most crazy Of unprincipled
adventures could over have embarked in it--lhat
for score Of years to como the repetition Of any
such folly can hardly by possibility happen
that crime like this is utterly abhorrcnt To the
moral sense of all christendom, even the Abnli-
t.onists proper not excepted. ANY attempt to give
a sectional or political turn ton event therefore
will miserably fail. 1t is i'm ,ossiblc to wre,t So
strange an occurrence to my such misehevous
use, and those who IRE trying il, will only earn
the public contempt, as they deserve.
Who the Capt Brown" alias "i'ill Smith" of
this affair really u.s. matters very little to the pub
lie generally. 1T he was Free Safe man
lu Kansas, as alleged, and was driven to madness
by the cruel wrongs VIGOROUSLY suffered Ivy the
men with whom it is attempted to identity him,
his pcrverse mnnomania would be less una count,
able but his conduct would be equally mi .,iia.
BILE, and equally without palliaiou, us the acts IT
sane man. OF Anderson aud Cook who ha e
also figured prominently in the reports 0. this nj
fair the public had before known nothing. From
present appearances, this gang, most OF whou,
have paid with their lives the penalty Of their
deeds, had n less conspicuous development, 1t tu
naticism than of mere scoundrelism. Brown him.
self may be the senseess fanatic he appears iu his
reported conversations, but such hardly have
been the character Of his associates In tni., II,
once, wicked and puerile scheme.
tFrem the stanton yndcsior-D cuoeraLl
So mad and hopeessan enterprise c,iuld hardly be
credited. But It is true, and no less strange tnar
true- They were certainly the most deluded Of
men 10 imagine the possible success Of such m
adventure. They must have been not only the
widest and sillest Of fanatics but wholly un
acquainted with our State and our people, They
may have been stimulated by invitations and
promises BY some unknown persons about the
LOCALITY. But however instignted, a madden
scheme vas never concocted. II has been crushed
with the utmost promptncss, and it is TO lie hoped
oil concerned WHY meet tic sarcec punishment so
RICHLY snsriied by their wicked Intentions.
II the scheme was nos o.ie 4 RI nad,lest ever
conceived. then the miserable demonstration n,
.Aarnefss Ferry mtist have leen rahnt.d =, .
mstnfeiy. or been deserted to its iete by Oder,
who were 70 have aided iaits execution. 1t is Ia
be hoped thai an Investigation will be made into
The dir that will a. far as possibIe solve IN.