Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-14
.9ralfurl geporter,
THE PUNISHMENT OF TREASON.

Drring the last few years there have
II .ng two examples of rebellion against the
aus If the United States, distinguished
.r nter disregard of human life, and the
hts Of property. The object to be at
..a.I in the one case was the slavery and
.r.I9tion Of certain class of our pop
r.,.u and in the other, the emancipation
II that same class from the pains and pen
lies If hereditary bondage.
Jefferson Davis and his compeers were
a master spirits Of the one attempt to
vr,tfrow law and ORDER and John Brown
II .I his associates of the other. The way
.. manner in which either sought his end
rr equally revolving. Neither could
rr well calculated the object in view, the
yitabIc steps without certain convlc-
II that every tie Of society, every con-
vative principle Of human action would
H d be flung to the winds and disregar-
u And yet, such was the principle con-
ing both that such conditions were ac-
red without scruplc both had brought
msclvcs to look upon scenes OF expected
5ulug and bIood-shcd without compunc-
a or pity for the sufferer, and both had
.-uaded themselves that such were but
price Of success. Both had perilled all
~ had OF all they were upon the result
II Tue struggle they sought and asked of
II ,.r future no other verdict than that rem
..el by the battlefield.
How different the character and condi-
,, II these two men. The one had
II aa.o and reputation which shed luster
Il upon the country which gave him birth
other was known to very few. The one
II was q tavuHtc leader Of great party and
yad III the highest social circles the
III was Of humble origin, and family, and
-.t no mans favor or notice. The one
III waved senates by the force and energy of
..r. the other sought no distinction but
mmbIe one of being just. The one
arci the applause of his fellow men, and
1rced all honor and manhood in his am
ton to WELD the destinies of his favored
te. while The other periled his life to ele-
t,e one, long enslaved, and ignorant, and
WI trodden.
Lc end Of John Browns struggles we
50. He perished upon the scaffold, a
u .'yr to his love for universal freedom,
IA yet, strange to say to the majesty Of
# LAW. We are not Of those who excuse
mad design, or rather his mad attempt,
MI -rc the colored race. 1t was sure to
larry from the first moment Of its incep.
1t embodied no element of success,
WI It's author could have had no correct
Fl w u tie required essentials of so great
MI enterprise. Neither could he have been
81 informed III regard to the moral char
MI rsuc5 Of the race he sought to enlarge,
WI We can look upon it in no other light
Ill as d manifestation Of the widest in
~'iy-an insanity which the lightest
.'-c4 Of reason had the power to dissi-
III f., but one which was fed and nourished
w 7 Il Y'L'ton and choice
Herein lay the criminality of John Browns
N -sI'aNng. Such cases often occur a
# enthusiasm operating upon an excit-
temperament and and ardent imagina-
II All mpulsive longing desire to right
great wrong, and to vindicate some
M 4""d4en principle of race,-a glorious,
s'1s. Indignation against some oppres-
M aJustice,-a sympathy for fallen
N degraded humanity, all conspire to
M Tue moral perceptions and the will
N mes The agent Of crime, even when the
prompts it to better things.
M ~" Brown died because every man who
M d @Aocent blood in resisting the due
''-'h Of law is worthy of death. No
'"-Aent IS secure where its law is
-,sIy trodden down without due at
~'"' 10 Its majesty-even bad law is
"' u obedience, because, even that
N+e SOVEREIGNTY of the government,
M Ia" VIII eventually be repealed.
" It's time, even as those legaIizing
bondage awaited theirs. There
~oasands Of hearts that prayed that
might be spared the death he de-
Dul there stood the inexorable law,
,'e The Inexorable judge, and there
~g IneXorablc rope. 1t is worthy of
"> That he, the inexorable functionary,
oAI nave saved him from death, is
s moment convicted traitor and a
- 'oF the mercy he denied this poor
OH 'L'ed man, whose power to iniure
* .,L ''' departed forever. Did the tho't
''g mnd of Gov. Wise that he, in SO
Be ,'le' would be suppliant for par
d elIlg worse form of treason
,'"' Of Browns No, verify: and
4" H. ''en the nobility of mind of the one
1' Infamous meanness Of the other,