Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-07-07

picit confidence in John Brown, yet there is no
evidence to show, or cause to believe they had
any completely with this conspiracy, or any sus-
pcion OF its existence or design, before its ex-
posion.
There was no evidence tending to show that
there ever was any conspiracy or design, by any
one, to rescue John Brown or his associates
from prison in Virginia.
The place and the boldness of this outbreak |
the purpose it entertained. the deaths it in
voved. and the amount OF arms and munitions |
with which it was supplied, combined to produce |
not only great alarm, but only strong suspic- /
ion of extensive completely. Time and inves-
tigation has happily dissipatcd much of such |
alarm and suspicion, and shown that this was
but an offshoot from the extensive outrages and
lawlessncss in Kansas commenced and contin |
ued there, by armed invasionS OF that Territory
to control its own people, the elections, and the
government, for the introduction and perpctui |
ty of slavery in that Territory, on the one hand,
and resistance or defence on the other. This
invited there many men of desperation, and
others became so by irrtations and excitements
of those collisions. When comparative peace
was restored there many, trained by such a
school, were ready for new fields of lawless en-
terprise 1t was from such elements that John
Brown concocted his conspiracy, consisting of
young men and boys, over whom he had entire
control, many of them foreigners, and none of
substance or position in the country.
BY pervertng the arms, ammunition, and
clothing with which he had been intrusted, from
'he purpose Tor whieh nc mad received them,h he
secured his supplies.
IL Is utmost aS'oiiishing 'nat III d country hSe
ours !aueh WIN the rlch experience OF the
O'esSlnsS oi scSu'ltE unuer 'ne pro'ec'ioh OF
law' 'nere shouiu sun ue iounu large uodleS oil
men iaoorlhS under the iniatHaloh that any
so0d oiJect can DC ehected d! laWiesShess ana
violence 1t is the prostratiOn of law, which is
the only bond Of security. 1t can, in its nature
beget nothing but resistance retaliation, insc-
curity and disaster. And vet. with ill our in
tegcnce and experience, we have most unfor-
tunate and deplorahle manifestations of such
inlatuations. They are dangerous in direct
proportion to the extent of public countenance
they receive No object. however desirable,
can Justify them or prevent their disastrous cx-
ample and consequences. The unpunshed law
less invasions of our weak ucighhoring nations
the fragrant and mercless breaches of our laws
against the African slave trade, "unvhipt of
Justice; :" the lawlcss armed invasions oi our
own people in our own weak Territory Of Kan.
sas. not only unpunished but justified. sustained
and even rewarded all, it is believed. to extend
and sustain slavery, tended strongly to suggest
acts of lawless violence to destroy it, especially
in those who had witnessed and suffered hv
these collisions. They are. however, all without
excuse. and they but add to the experience that
no public peace or private security can be found
but where every disregard of law meets with
the most prompt public rebuke and effective
punishment or correction.
While this act of violence and treason, and
the alarm, suspicion, suffering and death it in
,olyed are so deplotable, we cannot but see
IL. .l. I / :.
considerations of security against its repetition.
Ages might not prodn9S "hodie. Joim pio"n,
or so iorlultou,ly supply nm win Such mate
rlaiS' Inc i"t"i '.fhlhauo" VI the enterprise
IN the dea'h ana execution o' so iarSe part OIL
the humoer engaged the dispersion OF ,ne
small remainder Is iusltNcS Ill 'he iahd 'he
entire diNlnchha''oh 9i inc saves 10 ihsurree-
uon' or to receive ana Tor that purpose wnich
was there cNhlbltedi the very limited umoer
and peculiar character oi the consplrators' all
combine TO furnish assurance against the most
distant prooaoi'lI! "' us repeti"on' 80
Inc extent ana reeuom WIN "hich thls IT
vestlSauon mas oe'h cohdncteu mas resulted Ill
showing t9at tne people OF the nee states nave e
had no c'mphclty win thiS aToc''H ahu' II
| viewed win candor, the evidence Will remove
the suspicion Of extensive completely which the
possession OF such quanliiy oil arms uheN-
planned was hkeiy TO create II now iully ,ap-
pearing tIey were never furnished Tor such
purpose. This investigation has ITS value, II ITS
record be examined and treated with candor' as
it fully shows that there is no such ground OF
suspicion and distrust as has been indulged
amongst our people, and that lawless violence
as to slavery, by efforts from beyond its border,
has eliminated in this disastrous and abortive
experiment.
We have very succinctly stated the origin,
agents, instruments, purposes and result Of this
deplorablc outrage, and briefly stated the re-
Elections, we think, it suggests. The facts dis
closed, viewed in the light in which they appear
to US, and in which we have presented them,
however much calling for reprobation and re-
&, ct, may be, and we think should be, used and
improved to allay excitement, quiet suspicion,
and restore tranquility.
The committee having come to the conclusion
that no such facts have been disclosed as call
for any congressional legislation, we should re-
gard this as the termination Of its duty; but
by its majority the committee seems TO have
entertained different view of the object of the
resolutions and purpose of the inquiry. They
give, as we suppose, different construction
from our understanding Of those words of the
resolutions which direct an inquiry "whether
any citizens of the United States not present