Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-02-03
1f(iisfelIaueous.
From the N. Y, Express

a Jaasf aEad yeEH-TEEaaed EeeEgAe
: We invite the especial attention Of th
reader to the admirable address we publish
elsewhere to Victor Hugo. in answer to !
! letter recently written to the London Morn
ing Star" by that distinguished romancer
| in reference to old John Brown. 1t come
from one whose name occupies as honorable
, q position in American, as his in French
literature; and who is, therefore. as vel
entitled to heading on his side of the At
Iantic as on ours The subject is an irrita
ting one, but, in discussing it.our fair cor
respondent displays excellent temper; and
while its argument, on the main question
are of kind which the author Of Esmeralda
will find it difficult to answer, he. cannot bu
recognize in il the spirit Of true woman
who is a friend of humanity as we'll as lover
of her country. Moreover, though address
to a foreigner, there is much in what is said
which comnends itself with equal force te
theRconsideration of certain class of minds
in this country, which the mischievous soph
istries and sentimental sympathies of just
such philosophers as Victor Hugo are cal
culated but too easily to impress.
no Victor Huge.
Sir-Your letter to the London Star has
found its way into the American Press, for
which it was doubtless intended. Ifardent
enthusiasm could win Justice from her strict
course, yours might have had some effect
upon the destiny of John Brown. But all
the eloquence of genius cannct take the
blackness from treason. or the crimson stain
from murder It requires something more
than an outburst Of fine poetry to turn crime
into patriotism something more than i'm
petuous denupciations to check the solemn
footsteps Of Justice, !.
Before this time you will have learned
that Virginia has indicated the majesty of
her laws; and that john Brown and his un-
happy confederates have passed to higher
tribunal for Judgement You will learn,
also, that out of nearly thirty millions of
people, spreading over great continent
there is but handful of men and women
who have received the news of this execu-
ton with disspptoval. North and South,
| the great body Of our people acquiesce in the
fate Of John Brown, as an inevitable necessi-
ty-a solemn obligation to the laws. Like
you, we may feel compassion for the man
who was b. ave even in his crimes but he
was great criminal, and SO persisted. God
| have mercy upon his soul. -;
| TIE impulses Of humanity which prompt
cd your letter meet with sympathy from ev-
cry true heart. But no outburst Of compass
sion, no denunciation from abroad is likely
to influence people who have learned to
govern their passions while they protect
their rights.
When, in the ardor Of your fancy, WASH
ington stood before YOU immortal with heav-
enly greatness your intellect should have
gone step farther, and informed itself more
correctly regarding the Constitution, to es-
tablish which he gave the best years Of a
glorious life.i You would have learned that
each State of this Union is sovereign in it.
self-in it's laws and in its power to punish
crimes committed on its soil.
To establish the distinct sovereignty Of
these States and link them in one beautiful
confederation, concessions were made and
obligations of forbearanee were entered up
on to which the sacred honor Of our Re7oln-
tionary Fathers was pledged mot for them
selves alone, but for their children and child
ren's children. These obligations make slav-
cry with us a, forbidden subject.
Washington himself was born in slave
holding State-Hyed and died the master Of
slaves Neither On the. battle field, the
floor of Congress, nor in the, Presidential
Chair, did he suggest the possibility Of a re-
volt against the solemn compact made in the
Constitution. il -
Had treason, like that Of Old John Brown
broken oct in his time, he would undoubt-
edly have done what James Buchanan is
doing now. Manta; ming his august re5ition
as the chief of great confederation, our
President respects the rights Of sovereign