The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-01-22
"REMINISCENCES OF JOHN BROWNS
From the Worcester spy.

Truly does the soul of the martyr Ego
marching on.a On the 18th of the pres
ent month, Andrew johnson approved
bill by which portion of the Har-
per's Ferry buildings, including the
| famous engine house so heroically de-
Tended by the old hero, and to capture
| which from its little garrison, Robert Z.
Lee and the United States Marines had
to be sent for, are presented by the
Government as a free gift to the Sto-
| rer College, an institution expressly de-
signed for the education of colored
men. What wonderful things have fol-
lowed that blow at Harper's Ferry
Trnly did the high-souled martyr know
whereof he spoke when he declared
that the movement would pay whether
the Immediate result to him and his
was life or death.
find in a late Pensacola, Fla, paper,
the Observer (RepubIican) a poem sign
ed by name which, even more than
the fact above referred to, recalls the
glorious days of Kansas and the later
sacrifices, the memories of which cen
ter around Harper's Ferry. The poem
is a stirring war lyric, and its authors
name is Richard Realf, who may be re-
membered as the so-called Secretary of
State in the Provisional Government
Brown and his party prepared. He, it
Will be borne in mind, was in Texas
when his captain struck slavery its first
blow III Virginia. Brought from there
to testify before Fugitive Slave law Ma
son, he saved his life, got witness fees,
told nothing of importance, aud reached
the Northern States in safety. Realize
was an Englishman, and soon after re-
turned home. He came back aud en-
listed as a private soldier during our
war, fighting his way by hard service
to a captaiucy. / believe he lis now i'll
the regular army-a non-comEissioned
officer, L learn, and stationed at Pensa-
cola. 1t is strange that a man of his
fine talents should not be i'll u better
condition. Here arc couple of STAN
zas from the lyric, praising our deeds as
equal and one with those of older days:
81 think the soul of Cromwell kissed
The soul of Baker. when,
With red sword in his bloody fist,
He died among his men.
think that when our Winthrop fell,
His face toward the foe,
John Hampden shouted: ''All is wellP'
Above that overthrow.
And Lyon, making free and fair
The places where he trod,
And Ellsworth, sinking on the stair,
Whereby he passed to God.
And those whose names only writ
In hearts, instead Of scrolls,
Still show the dark of earth uplit,
With shining human souls"
Of the originally known John Brown
party but two are living: Owen Brown,
who resides in Western Pennsylvania,
and Osborne p. Anderson, a colored
man, living in Canada. Realf, Luke
Parsons, Gill and some others associated
with it, directly and indirectly, each
won some distinction during the war,
and are now living. Geo. p. Tidd, one
of those who escaped, died at the taking
of Roanoke Island, sergeant in New
York regiment, Barclay Coppic, then
lieutenant in a Kansas regiment, was
killed at Platte Bridge, Mo-, through
the destruction of railroad train by
guerrillas. OBSERVER.
The Leavenworth Commercial, and
other papers of Democratic proclivities
are sorely exercised over Gov. Harvey's
views in regard to equal suffrage, as ex-
pressed in his message. The CONNER
ci0t says: "The citizens of Kansas a
year ago rejected negro suffrage by an
overwhelming majority. In view of
this fact, what sense of justice is there
now i'll asking Congress and adjoining
States to unite in forcing such suffrage
upon Kansas? Or even what Justice
would there be in permitting the pres
ent Legislature to express the sentiment
| of the State on that question, inasInuch
as it was not under consideration at the
LliIlC It's HlenDCfS were elected In
this last representation, either wiJlful
misrepresentation or stupid ignorance
is manifested. The platform on which
every Republican representative was
elected was based as much or more on
equal suffrage as anything else. On one
| side was Democracy, opposed to giving
colOred citizens their rights, and on the
other, Republicanism, with Equal
rights to ali men" as its motto. Every
|
| other of these issues. The oVerwhelm-
ing majority given in favor of the lat
| ter ought to be an all-sufficient answer,
/ when the view of the voters of Kansas
are questioned. Had any Republican
candidate announced himself, during the
canvass, as opposed to impartial Color
ed) suffrage, his election would have
been extremely problcmatical.
/ 1t is true, negro suffrage was defeated
on the first trial. But it is we'll known
that the true sentiments of the voters
were not fairly expressed at that cleo
i ton. A side issue was dragged in that
excited a bitterness and jealousy, and
caused many to vote contrary to the die
tates of their better Judgment. Pas
sion and prejudice held sway, instead OF
clear, calm reason.
If the question is submitted again, il
will be carried by an Overwhelming
majority. It is one of the deer es OF
fate. 1t is the inevitable consequence Of
a broader, more extended intelligence
the same as the obolition of slavery and
the breaking down of other grea
wrongs. The puny opposition will nc
more check it than the whistling of the
idle wind.
Hang your harps on the willows,
Democrats, for ere long the black MAJ
will stand at your sides at the Kansas
polls.
/ A ROLAND FOR AN OLIvER.-Th.
following characteristic story of Gen
A. j. Smith, of the United States Army