New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-16
The John Brown Raid.
MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORTS.
THE MAJORITY REPORT.

THE MAJORITY REPORT.
The report made TO the Senate this morning by MIR.
Mason Chairman of the Harpers Ferry COMMITTEE,
comprises $50 fooscap pages exclusive of vouminous
testimony A full history is given Of Brown move
ments and results, and reference IL made 10 the utter
insecurity of the peace and safety OF some OF the STATES
OF the Union owing to the excited condition Oh the
public mind and its purposes in the non-slavehoinihg
States. Although il may not become the Committee
to suggest duty in those States 10 provide by proper
Il gslat on against Vaccinations within their borders,
destructive Of the peace of the confederate kePuocs
il does become them fuy TO expose the cor sequences
resulting from the present license in the nonsavehod-
ing States TO the peace and integrity OF the Union,
which IL necessarily involved in its continuance.
The rifed cal Dimes, manufactured In Connecticut,
intended as it would appear to be ordinarily used in
strife in Kansas and thther for that purpose were
voluntarily placed by the Massachusetts Kansas Com
ittte, through its chairman in the hands OF Brown
with vague and unexplained instructions as to their
use; but the truth was, it would appear he finally
conceived the purpose Of exciting civil war In some oi
the slaveholdng States This expedition, 30 arocioas
in character, would have been arrested had even ord
nary care been taken the part OF the
Committee 10 ASCERTAIN whether Brown was truthful
in his professions The testimony shows that after his
reasonable proceedings at Chatham, he went back to
New-England, travelling through its several villages,
collecting money, which freely contributed under
the auspices both of Howe and Searns, and others,
with knowledge that he retained the large supply OF
arms of which they had failed to dispossess HIM: ,
On the whole testimony, there can be no doubt mat
borders Of Virginia, which he expected TO extend ana
which he believed bis means and resources were suf-
ficent TO extend through that State and the entire
South II does not seem that he intrusted even hs In
innate friends with his plans fully, even aiter they
were ont for execution.
The Committee are not prepared TO suggest any legs
lation which, in their opinion would be adequate TO
prevent like in future. The only provis
ions of the Constitution Of the United States which
would seem to mpart any authority IN the Govern
ment TO interfere occasions affecting the peace or
safety Of the States are found in the eighth section OF
the first article among the powers OF Congress to pro-
vide for calling the militia 10 execute the laws OF the
Union suppress Instructions and repel inyasons ana
in the fourth section Of the fourth article, IN the follow
ing words; In .....,.. B., .v.,v s.,. !, The
Union republican form OF government and shall PTo,ec
each Of them against invasion and application Of the Leg
aure or of the Executive (hen the Legislature canBot be con-
yenrd) aisinst domestic violence"
The invasion here spoken Of would seem to import
an invasion by the public force of foreign power OF
If not so limited and equally reerabe TO an INVASION
by one State or another-stl it would seem that pub
lie force or forces exercised under the sanction OF se
kDowledged political power is there meant Inc ih'a-
son-to call il so-by Brown and MS followers =.
Harpers Ferry, WIS.,, in nQ sense, oil ina, CHARACTER,
simply act al !awleAs rniiiIs unier inc ooo"
of no public political authority
II the several States, whether IRON mouves Oh Poncy
desire 10 preserve the peace OF the Chlon, hos
from fratsrnal feeling, do not hold II incunDen, on
them after the experience Of the country, 10 guard III
future by appropriate legislation, against occurrences
sin liar TO the one here inquired into, the Committee
can find no guaranty elsewhere for the security vi
peace between the States Of the Union DO lar, now
ever, the safety of the public property Is
the Committee would earnestly recommend tnsA pro-
vision should he made by the Executive or, u neces,
ssry, by law, to keep under adequate military guard
the public armories and arsenas of the Uded States
in some way AFTER the mannel now practiced al the
lazy yards and forts.