The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-08-16
The mangIng Of John brown.

The Ohio STATE Journal quotes from the
Springfield (AIass.l RsrubiioGs's observations re-
garding the interview between valIandighan and
John Brown at Harper's Ferry, and says;
Mr.. Halstead, Of the Cincinnati Commercial
was with Vailandigham at the time of this visit,
in his capacity as a journalist. An account Of
that visit would be matter of great historical
interest, as well as of current interest just at the
present time.
The Journal is mistaken. Vallandigdam's in
terview with Brown took place lew hours after
his capture. 1t will be remembered that it was
Col. Robert E. Lee, with squad Of marines, who
burst in the door of the engine house at Harper's
Ferry and made Brown a prisoner. Mr.. HaIstsad
was not there at the time. but wss present at the
execution Of Brown some weeks afterward. Mr.
Yallandigham was not at the execution. The
only Ohio Congressman present Was the Hon. J.
NJ. Ashley of Toledo. The Springfield Rspu5li-
can said of the interview between Brown and
Vallandigham:
Nor did Vallandigham. ignOble as bis motive
was in catechizing Brown, fail to see what the
man must be whose answers be heard-and the
Ohio Democrat did not fall into the Wretehed
drivel of so many Northern Republicans, that the
old hero was demented. Returning to Ohio be
bore testimony thus while Henry Ward Beecher
was calling Brown crazy, and the kidgloved A.
LaHtic styled him ian anachrOnism." He is the
farthest possible removed from the ordinary ruf-
fan, fanatic or madman; he has coolness, daring,
persistency. the stole faith and patience, and
frmness Of will and purpose unconquerable By
which it is clear that Vallandgham, like King
Richard, knew q man when he saw him.
Whatever may have been the great qualities Of
John Brown, it is clear to any one who has stud
led his positions at Harpers Ferry that be did
not possess military sagacity. The engine-house,
which he made his place of retreat, was complete
ly commanded by brick houses in the neighboF-
hood. There were large windows over the doors,
within shot of commanding windows in three
story dwelling houses, and there was no chance of
escape from the engine house. The opinion was
entertained by observers on the spot that If
Brown had taken his position in the forked rail-
road bridge, crossing both the Shenandoah and
the Potomac, he would have met with little diff
Guilty in escaping. From the moment be was in
the engine-house he was as helpless as a rat in a
trap. OF the hkenssses Of John Brown which
were published about the time Of his execution,
those from the pencil of Porte Crayon in Hay-
per'S Weekly, we're the most striking. They are
suggestive of carricature but there was a quaint
ness and fanatical eceentricity in the appearance
of the old man that it is quite beyond the posi-
bilities of photography to impart That John
Brown died bravely is often declared certainly
he did. There was no symptom Of trepidalion
about him on the scafold, and he was standing
twenty minutes on the traPdOOr with the rope
around his neck. His agony was not protracted
in this way through wantonness, but it was con
sidered important that the Virginia military com
panies should form a square around the galloWs
before he was swung of. and their movements we're
clumsy. The spectacle Of the hanging Of Brown
was simply military. Reporters and surgeons
were the only persons in the immediate vicinity
who we're not in military dress. The only women
visible at the hanging we're on the roofs Of houses
in Charlestown.
There was a widespread alarm among the ne
yroes and the prevailing opinion was that there
was immense impending peril. 1t was consider
I'd the part Of prudence and patriotism for every
nan living near the scene Of operations to keep
bis family at home and guard his premises. Ne
TOes had been burning stacks and otherwise sig
lifying their uneasiness and disposition to do
mischief If a company Of half dozen white
men were going few miles along g turnpike
Dad in daylight, they took the precaution 70 bs
veil armed The people Of Virginia seemed deep
, impressed that they we're at war with the
North. and especially with Ohio They seemed
o be looking for an army from Ohio to rescue
Tohn Brown and not only was Brown hanged
D hollow square Of Virginia troops two thous-
and strong, with lines Of ssntinsl5 guarding the
ED and encircliDg the neighboung town. bat the
Dads were pieketed and the woods guarded for
niles around. There was a deep conviction
mong the Yirginians when they had John BsoWn
] custody, that he was in greater degree than
'as admitted in the North, representative man
nd that he had hackers who did not care, when
9 made his wild raid and was captured, to show
lemselVss; and it IS the impression Of those
no had the best opportunity for observation,
nd who studied the incidents Of the raid, tho
iaE and execution with the greatest care. that
lere is still chapter Of unwritten history with
1T which it is hardly safe or fair to judge Ehsth-
Brown was or was not dsmented
THE New York Board Of Health recently dis