Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-22

The report made to the 3enate on the 18th INST,
by Mr.. Mason, chairman Of the Harper.s Ferry IN
vestgabng committee, comprises one hundred and
City foolscaD pages, exclusive Of the VOluminOus
testimony A full history Is given Of John Browns
movement and its results and reference IS made 70
the utter insecurity Of the Union, owing 70 the ex
cited condition Of the public mind and its purposes
in the non ElavehOlding States
Although It may not become the committee to sug-
rest a duty in these States to provide by proper
legislation against the Vaccinations within their
borders destructive Of the peace Of the confederate
Republics tit does become them fully 20 expose
the consequences resulting from the present license
in the non-saveholding States to the peace and in
tegrity of the Union, which is necessarily involved
in its continuance.
The rihed carbines manufactured in Connecticut,
intended as it would appear to be ordinarily
used in the strife IN Kansas, and sent thither
for that purpose, were voluntarily placed by
| the Massachusetts, Kansas Aid Committee, through
/ their chairman, in the hands Of Brown with
vague fand unexplained instructions as to their.
use It would appear that he finally con-
ceived the purpose Of exciting civil war in some
of the slaveholding States This expedition, afro
cious in character, would have been arrested had
even ordinary care been taken on the part Of the
| Massachusetts, committee, to ascertain whether
| Brown was truthful in his professions.
The testimony shows that, after his reasonable
proceedings at Chatham, he went back to New Eng
! land travelling through its several villages, and
collecting money which was freely contributed IN.
der the auspices both of Howe and Stearns, and
| others with knowledge that he retained large
supply Of arms of which they failed to dispossess
him.
On the whole testimony, there can be no doubt
/ that Browns plan was to commence servile wal
on the borders of Virginia, which he expected to ex
tend and which he believed his means and resources
were sufficient to extend through that State and the
entire South. 1t does not seem that be entrusted
even his intimate friends with his plans fully, ever
after they were ready for execution
The committee is not prepared to suggest any leg
islation which, in our opinion, would be adequate
to prevent like occurrences in the future. The only
provisions of the Constitution Of the United State
which would seem to give any authority 10 the Gov
eminent 70 interfere on occasions affecting the peac
or safety of the States found in the Sth section
Of the lst article; among the powers Of Congress T.
provide for calling the militia to execute the law
Of the Union &c suppress Instructions, Eepel inva
sions and in the 4th section Of the 4th article,
the following words The United States shall guar
anty TO every State republican lorm Of Govern
ment and shall protect each of them against iEYa
siOn and on application of the Legislature, Of tn
Executive when the Legislature cannot be CONVEX
ed against domestic violence
The invasion here spoken of would seem to IN
port an invasion by the public force Of fOreig
! power, or, ii not so limited and equally refer
able to an invasion by one State Of another, still
would seem that public force, or forces exercise
under the sanction of acknowledged political power
is there meant The invasion Ito call it SOY by Brow
ana DIS lOUOWeIs az udf per ferfy WAS III nO SENS
Of that character. 1t was simply an act of lawes
rufians under the sanction Of no public or politics
authority. If the several States, whether from me-
tives of policy or desire to preserve the peace
the Union, if not from fraternal feeling, do not hOl
! it incumbent on Them after the experience of tn
country to guard against occurrences similar to tn
one here inquired into, the committee find D
guarantee elsewhere for the security Of peace b,
tween the States Of the Union. So far, however, q
the safety of the public property is involved, til
k1,k-
ion should be made by the Executive, or, if necess
ry, by law, to keep under adequate militar
guard the public armOries and arsenals of the Uni
ed States IN some way, after the manner now pra
tised at the navy yards and forts.
The report is signed by Senators Mason Davi
= and Fitch.