Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-10-28

re- ARE aAtroS tiiltSi AtSuA hfa tisfSV EfNSF
4. Several skechrs Of bis iiie Hre cirhlatia
4 "a ia. papers, bat evidently incorrect an
considerably fictitious. Brown is natiy
Of New York. and is supposed to be ABBOT
sixty years az ase--a thin man If mc,liul
hight, but Of iron muscle and manifrst pow
erof physical endurance Of those me
that never suceumb 10 any obstacles. Iii
career in Kansas displayed great person,
courage, and he soon made himself the ,ei
ror Of the pro-sl,very ruiiians sent there I
sabjpgate the territory. o'
Willie resident Of this city hewas re
SPECIFIED by all who knew him for his per
feet integrity Of character. But he wa
then a monomaniac, M really as he has
since proved himself 10 be. lie is so cen
stitu,ed that when he gets possessed Of nj
idea l,c carries il oul with tlAmcling fdel
ity TO all. lis logical consequences, as they
seem 10 him, hesitaing At no absurdity, ans
deferred By no unploa,a1 Consequences to
Himself personally. While he was IN bust
ness here lie took up the notion lint liz
ought not q put his name to certain de-
scrilaioas Of commercial paper such as
were Indispensable in the conduct of his
own aiiairs, aad he would a,lhere rigidly to
This idea until his business was complete
II blocked up and brought to q ad stand
When yne pTc~idcut of the bank where he
had bis money transactions, would take him
In hshd and fairly talk him OF bis hobby
iang enough to get his affairs unsnarled Sc
that his business could 90 on again. And
this was done repeatedly.
Brown was here about year aro and
tpent several days. He talked Fl eely with
bis friends in respect TO his running off
slaves from Missouri. He seemed 10 feel
that lie had a special mission in respect to
slavery, and he justified the running off Of
slaves not on the ground of personal ven
geance for the otter wrongs he had re-
ccived, but as an effective mode of opera
ton against the institution itself HIS the
DRY was then, and il Is the secret Of his
liarper's Ferry movement, that it was his
mission to make the institution insecure.
10 increase the general feeling of its inse-
eurity at the South, and thus to act upon
the fear and prudence Of the shareholders.
in all this he was delibf rate, calm and con-
scieniious. Doubtless his personal wrongs
had contributed 10 the establishment Of the
fxcd purpose of his life, bnt his vengeance
WAS directed not against Shareholders, bnt
against the Institution itself 1t was mat
ter of religion with him. He is Pres
byterian in his faith, and feels that it is for
this very purpose that God has raised him
up. This Is made evident in the answers
given TO his catechizers, as he law chained
anl bloody, with fierce eyes around him
asd hearts thirstng for his blood His per-
feet GOODNESS and self-possession, his evil
dent truthfulness and transparent sincerity,
and the utter absence Of fear in his man
ncr, command the respect of all about him.
The universal feeling is that John Brown
IS a iero---a misguided and insane man,
but nevertheless inspired with genuine
Eeroism. He has a large infusion of the
stern old Puritan element in him. His
conversations with Governor Wise and 9th
ers show the character of the man.
When tie governor said 10 him that he
had better be preparing for death. old
Brown replied that the governor himself,
though he might live fifteen years longer.
would have good deal TO answer for at
last, and had letter be preparing for death
too. Senator Mason of Virginia, asked
him who furnished the money for his expe
dition.
Brown furnished most Of Il myself.
! cannot implicate others. 1t is by my own
folly that | have been taken. ] could east
" have saved myself from it had I exer-
dised my own better judgment, rather than
yielded to my feelings.
Nlason-You mean if you had escaped
Immediately?
Brown--No; had the means TO make /
myself secure without escape, hut allowed
myself to be surrounded by force by be-
ing TOO tardy.
Mason -Tardy in getting away?
Brown should have gone away. but
had thirty odd prisoners, whose WIVES and
daughters were in tears for their safety. and
FELT for them. Besides, | wanted 10 al
lay the fears of those who believed we
came here TO burn and kill For this rea.
son allowed the train 10 cross the bridge.
and gave them full liberty to pass on.
did II only TO spare the feelings of those
passengers and their families, and to allay
the apprehensions that you had got here in
your vicinity bard Of men who had no
regard for life and property, nor any feel
ings of humanity.
Mason-But you killed some people
pa sing along the streets quietly.
Brown-Well, sir, if there was ANYTHING
'f that kind done, it was without my knowi-
sdze. Your own citizens, who were nv
prisoners, will tell you that every possible
means were taken 10 prevent it. | did not
How my men to fire, nor even TO return a
ire, when there was danger Of killing those
&c regarded as innocent persons, if | could
'elp 1t. They will tell you that we allowed
ourselves to be fred at repeatedly and did
lot return IL.
Va landgham-Did you expect gene
al rising of the slaves in case of your sue
.ess
Brown-No, sir nor did / wish it
expected 70 gather them up from lime IL
ifne and set them free.
Vallindigham-D.d you expect 10 hold,
'osscssion here till then
owr.-Well, probably had quite n
itferent idea. do not know that 1 ought
. reveal my plans. ] am here prisoner
nd wounded, because foolishly allowed
'yselfto ESQ. You overrate yoar strength
! supposiHg J could have been taL.n =