Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-02-24
Reflection upon the fate Of John Brown.

dor in the Northern Press Ia regare
to the affair.
The Northern Press, as a general thing
has certainly spoken with great want oil
candor, in regard TO the affair at Har-
per's Ferry. The thing to be settled II
regard to such an occurrence, undoubt-
eddy, is its true character. However
strange and unaccountable it may seem,
It is nevertheless undeniable, as it seems
to us, that it was a serious attempt, on
the part OF few deluded men, instigated
and encouraged By a good many more, to
excite iylsuryectioa among the Slaees, IN
the Southern Stairs The demonstra-
tions made at Harper's Ferry, the DELHI
crate preparation, the correspondence,
the arms, both for the servile and free,
who should cooperate, and above all the
issuing of formal commissions, purport-
ing to emanate from independent authori-
ty, certainly justify the belief, that its
rash and demented abetter7, had con-
ceived the purpose of superceding the
authority of the State of Virginia, and
of the United States, and that they pro-
posed to do this by force or arms. This
then was technical treason, in the most
unequivocal form, both as to the govern
ment of Virginia and the United States.
How then could it have been treated
in any other manner, than is has been, by
the authorities of the State of Virginia?
Are men, found in arms against The
State, and who declare the purpose, and
persist in the right and the duty, of sub
verting the government, and who have
committed numerous murders in their
mad efforts towards the accomplishment
of their horrid purposes, the proper OBJ
iects of forbearance, or clemency? Men
who but for being overpowered by mill
tary force, would now be spreading fire.
brands and death throughout the length
and breadth of the land?
There can surely be but one opinion
upon this subject, among considerate and
thoughtful men. The only doubt which
any one could possibly entertain, is in re-
gard to the perfect sanity of such men.
There is doubtless a species of monoma-
MIA about it, but SO ill-defined, and so
much under the control of the will and
the Judgment, as to afford no proper ex-
cuse for crime. There was no such loss
of free will, or any such delusion, or il
fusion, in the case of Brown even, as to
justify an acquittal for murder. He was
cool, deliberate, and collected in all that
he did. The train was laid with woE-
derful GOODNESS and composure the cor
respondence was conducted with unques-
tionable reserve and secresy, aid with
consummate skill the material of war
, was accumulated with precaution and
] circumspection the affair was conduct
I ed, under his superintendent, not only
t with such wisdom as to elude all suspi-
: cion of his leading purpose and design
] among those not in the plot, but also with
D such consistent ability, and persistent
e design, as to excite no suspicion, in the
j mind of any one of his followers, of hi.
] perfect sanity.
5 The thing which has struck the publ,
t mind with most convincing force, as proc
5 of the want Of sanity in those who plan
It ned so chimerical a project, is its ute
It and deplorabe hopelessness, with th'
f proposed means of It's accomplishment
! But this even is now somewhat explained
81 by Browns last interview with Cook
j The old man, even on his way TO III
D scaffold, complained Of being deceive
n and duped by his co-conspirators, in re
8 gard to aid which they might expect iron
+ the slaves, and also, it would seem, fror
% sympathizers, not slaves. This afford.
&c undoubtedly, the clue to much of th
t inherent ab5urdity of the enterprise
% They expected more extensive co-opera
ST ton, from the professed friends of FIRE
4 labor and anti-slavery in the North, an
E. to find also willing mind in the slaves
b; In both of these expectations they WEI
d fatally disappointed.
Is Herein, as it seems to US, may /
IN found the key to expose much of the d.
re fusion which evidently exists both at ii
1t. North and the South. We know mel
nj to nothing of the real state Of things,
Id either section, except as we reside ar
lg move in one or the other, and in son
ad few rare exceptions, in both. The ger
as eral rule with US all is, TO know nothir
ly Of what exists in the other section of Il
ay country.
ks The South, in all sincerity, belle
IT. that the entire North is brisfling wi
I'D bayonets, and prepared with reyolve