The National tribune., 1898-03-17

afford us TO meet again would be dearly
bought by the pains of a final separation.
We must part; and, feel assured, for Us to
meet under such dreadful circumstances
would only add to our distress.
IL she come on here she must be only
cazing-stock throughout the whole Journey
TO be remarked upon in every look. word,
and action. and by all sorts of creatures, and
by all sorts of papers throughout the whole
country.
Again, it is my most decided Judgment
that in quietly and submiSSivels staying at
home. vastly more of generous sympathy
will reach her, without snch dreadful sacri-
flee of fceling rs she must put up with if she
comes on. The visits of one or two female
friends that have come on here have produced
great excitement, which is very annoying,
and they cannot possibly do me any good.
O Mary, do not come; but patiently wait
for the meeting (of those who love God and
their fellow menl where no separation must
follow They shall 90 no more out for
ever" | greatly long TO hear frcm some
one of you, and TO learn any thing that in
any way affects your welfare. sent you
$40. the other day Did you get it? | have
also endeavored to stir up Christian friends
to,visit and write TO you in your deep afilc
ton. | Lave no doubt that some of them, at
of Capt John Avis, Charlestown, Jefferson
County, Va.
''Finally, my beloved be Of good COM
fort" Nav all vour names he written in
the Lambs book of life may you all have
The purify Ing and sustaining influence of the
Christian religions the earnest prayer of
your aflectionate husband and father, JOHN
BROWN
p 5. / cannot remember night so
dark as to have hindered the coming day, nor
a storm so furious or dreadful as to prevent
the return of warm sunshine and a cloudless
sky. But beloyed ones, do remember that
this is Eot your rest, that in this world you
have no abiding-place OF continuing city. To
God and His infinite mercy | always com
mend YOU. J. b.
Nov. g.
VISIT FROM HIS WIFE.
During the AZ days of his coniine-
ment at Charlestown, Brown received
several visits from sympathizing North
ern friends, many of whom had never
before seen him. His wife, overcoming
many obstacles, was finally permitted to
spend few hours in his cell, and to take
supper with him a short time before his
death. No Nirginians. so far as is known,
proffered him any words of kindness,
unless it were the reverend clergy of
the neighborhood, who rendered him the
solace of religion after their fashion,
which he civilly, but firmly, declined.
He could not recognize any one who
justified or pallated slavery as min
lister of the God he worshiped, or the Saw
iour in whom he trusted. He held argu-
ments on several occasions with pro-
slavery clergymen, but recognized them
as men only, and not as invested with
any peculiar sanciity. To one of them,
who sought to reconcile slavery with
Christianity, lie said:
Ny dear Sir, you know nothing
about Christianity: you will have TO
learn the a B Cs in the lesson of
Christianity, as | find you entirely
ignorant Of the meaning of the word.
i, of course, respect you as gentleman;
but it is as heather gentleman" The |
argument here closed.
HIS EXECUTION
The I'd of December was the day ap- |
pointed for bis execution. Nearly 5000 /
militia were early on the ground. Fears
of forcible rescue or Of servile insur-
rection prevented a large attendance of /
citizens. Cannon were SO planted as to
sweep every approach 10 the Jail, and to !
blow tie prisoner into shIcds upon the
first intimation Of tumult. Virginia
held her breath until she heard that the
old man was dead.
Brown rose at daybreak, and con-
tinued writing with energy until half
past 10, when he was told to prepare to
die. He shook hands with the SheriH,
visited the cell of Copeland and Green,
TO whom he handed a quarter Of dollar
each, saying lie had no more use for !
money, and bade them lieu
He next visited Cook and Coppoc,
the former of whom had made CON
iession, which he pronounced false; say
ing he had never sent Cook to Harpers
Ferry, as he had stated. He handed a
quarter 10 Coppoc also, shook hands with
him, and parted. He then visited and
bade a kindly good-by to his more es-
pecial comrade, Stevens, gave him a
quarter, and charged him not TO betray
his friends. a sixth, named Hazlett,
was confined in the same prison, bat lie !
did not visit him, denying all knowledge (
Of bin.
lie walked out of the Jail at II |
o'clock; an witness said, "with a |
radiant countenance, and the step of a /
conqueror." His face was even Joyous, |
and it has been remarked that probably |
his WAS the lightest heart in Charlestown
that day.
A black woman, with little child
in her arms, stood by the door. He
stopped a moment, and, STOPPING, kissed
tie child aiieciionately. Another black
woman, with child, as he passed along,
exclaimed "God bless YOU, old man
wish / could help you; but can't"
He looked at her with a tear in his exc.
He mounted the wagon beside his
jailor. Capt Avis, who had been one Of
the bravest Of his captors, who had
treated him very kindly, and to whom