Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-02-25
AARON D. STEPHENS.

That John Brown and his companions
accomplished great work at Harper's Ferry
for the slaves enfranchisement no one Of common
intelligence, aud possessing ordinary opportunities
for information can deny. The deed which shall
hand down to coming ages in close connection Har-
per's Ferry the scene, and John,Brown, the actor ia
the great drama Of the 10Th century. is but poorly
appreciated by Mr.. Speaker Pennington, when no
contemptuously styles it "a nine days wonder"
Though the excitement attendant upon that
event has measurably passed away, and the spas
modic sympathy of many given place to indiffer-
once, the stern integrity Of John Brown, his utter
al nsgat'o on of self, his entire devotion to the gr,at
principle which recognises the equality Of man
and bis right to be iree--a devotion attested by
the seal Of his life's blood-has reached thousands
of hearts that have never before been moved, and
whose pulsations for freedom will only be stayed
by death. And while we would do all honor to
John Brown as the leader of an enterprise which
sought to give deliverance to the piuing captive
and to open the prison door 20 the bound and
bleeding slave of the South, we would not, in our
admiration Of him, forget even the least of those
who noble stood by him in tho hour of peril. And
We name with reverence the man who was
worthy to be his second in command; and who was
shot while bearing o Gag Of truce, and fell even
more seriously wounded than was his leader.
Aaron D. Stephens occupied in captivity the same
cell with the hero of Osawotomie, and when tbs
old man was about to ascend the gallows. spaks
words Of comfort and cheer worthy of the one to
whom they were addressed, worthy Of the o1e who
spake them, and worthy Of the cause for which
Captain Brown died, and for which Captain Steph-
ems is condemned 20 death. If John Brown was
willing to lay down his life for a people poor, per.
secuted, ~despised, and enslaved, so is Aaron D.
Stephens equally willing. If John Brown could
look upon the gallows with an uuquailing heart, if
be could suffer unshrinhingly judicial ignominy,
so can Aaron d Stephens. If John Brown should
be honored as q martyr, if the day Of his death
should be comemorated by the friends of freedom.
SO also is Aaron D. Stephen, worthy of such honor,
and the day of his doom equally deserving Of
such commemoration
Nearly three months have elapsed since he
bade a final farewell to lis captain, and went
back to his cell with his many unhealsd
wounds TO await the time when he too, should be-
tried for the same act, and condemned to the same
punishment. And bravely has be born himself
through it oil. Though sick and in prison, with
none to administer to his necessities, he has suffer-
ed uncomplainingly. The orivations Of bis cap.
tivity, and tho long and constant. oontem plation o,
his almost certain fate upon the gallows, have
not been able to conquer the heroism Of his spirit,
or dim the true nobility of his soul. He meets
his fate with a tranquility not surpassed even BY
that manifested by John Brown. All honor 10 the
heroic defender of the rights of man AL, homo,
to the worthy follower and comnan;on of O,.r..
tonne Brown, whose spirit be will soon greet in .
realm where justice is equally measured, and
where those who remember in their afl ction even
the leas: of Gods suffering poor, shall receive an
exceeding great reward.