The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1895-10-04
John BroUn.
rue story of the Famous
Martyr.

M death of the younger John
In, as lie was fsmiliarly call
will tend to revive public in
estin the stirring and tragic
L of his father, the grim old
Sli,ion crusader. This eldest
Of the man who played such
important part in the anti
Eery movement was himself
active participant in the Kan
struggle. and was arrested
The charge of treason and sub.
ed to such severe treatment
a prisoner that he became
bporarily insane. He would
ke been with his father at
fper's Ferry if the attack on
L place had not been precipi-
ed before the appointed time
unexpected circumstances.
rec of his brothers were
re. it will be remembered, and
l Of them were killed. The
lie band led by Old Osawato-
! on that occasion added a
" interesting and significant
apter to American history.
Len undertaking was rash and
iustifable from any reasonable
Sipt of view, and they paid the
most penalty for their scorn of
binary rules of prudence. and
pedience; but it is by no means
rtain that they failed so far as
ultimate consequences were
ncerned. 1t is easy TO say that
sey we're fanatics. but, looking
LEX at the matter now. there
Ems to have been some method
{ their madness after all. Pos
bly, they did not realize this at
{ time. but the fact remains
at the blow they struck had an
ective bearing upon the solu-
bn of one of the greatest of
pdern problems.
Its not definitely known what
'phn Browns purposes and ex-
ectations we're whenhe invaded
lrginia, beyond the general in.
lntion of promoting the emanci.
btion of the slaves. We cannot
sure that his whole plan was
sclosed. or that his original
esign was adhered TO in the
purse of his proceedings. On
be contrary, his own testimony
|oes to show that he changed
is scheme in some respects,
! ther from choice or from peces.
] ty. There is no reason to be-
eve that he deliberately placed
Iimself and his men in a trap
there they were certain to be
FILED or captured, or that his
heory involved the idea of he
pic self.sacrifice for the benefit
I the negroes. He asanequal
} any test of courage, but he
|Eas not a man 10 invite death for
lhe mere sake of dying. He was
most cunning leader, who
Eeyer took any useless chances.
Fewas always ready to fight
Fhen there was anything TO be
Famed by it, but he was not the
lind Of lighter who disregard
d the question of success. In
u Of his operations up to that
Lime he had displayed a fair
measure of military skill and
foresight, and more than once
mad saved his life by avoiding
contests in which it would proba,
|oly have been taken. This makes
h difficult to think that he acted
F. aarper's Ferry in pursuance
p the plan which took him there.
Ills force consisted of eighteen
men besides himself. They en-
|lered the town under cover of
darkness :, seized the armory and
'ile arsenal without firing a gun,
u before morning captured
W. Washington and other lead
ing citizens to be held as host.
ages. For twelve hours the
!! pace was at their mercy, and
,aey could have destroyed it and
, u their escape; but instead of
y, nus improving their opportuul-
y, v lhey waited until their re.
. y, was cut off, and then. soon
aye" y, noon, retired into the en-.
s ss'. house near the armory gate,
W.. ~aere resistance, however, brave
aua determined, meant only in.
..''aole failure. They defended