The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-24


ants.
A report that President Buchanan
E. had been proclaimed Emperor and Auto
crat of the North American Continent,
! and had quietly arrested and imprisoned
I all the members of Congress and Judges
of the Supreme Court by way of strength
ening his usurpation, would not have
seemed more essentially incredible, nor
have aroused a more intense excitement.
Here follow the dispatches which
gave the first tidings of this audacious
and amazing demonstration:
"INsURRECTIoN AT HARPER's FERRY!
"To the Associated Press:
, BALTIMORE, Monday, Oct II, 1859.
"a dispatch Just received here from
G. Frederick, and dated this morning, states
that an insurrection had broken out at
Harper's Ferry, where an armed band Of
s Abolitionists have full possession of the
Government Arsenal The express train
going east was twice fired into, and one
of the railroad hands and a negro killed,
train through the town. The insurrec-
tionists stopped and arrested two men,
who had come to town with load Of
wheat, and seizing their wagon, loaded
it with rifles, and sent them into Mary
land The insurrectionists number about
two hundred and fifty whites, and are
aided by gang of negroes. At last ac-
counts, fighting was going on.
"The above is given just as it was re-
ceived here. 1t seems very improbable,
and should be received with great eau
tion, until affirmed by further advices." "
A later dispatch, received at the rail
road office, SAYS the affair has been
greatly exaggerated. The reports had
their foundation in a difficulty at the
armory, with which negroes had nothing
TO do.
baltimore, 10 o'clock.
cit is appreheDded that the affair at
HarIer's Ferry is more serious than our
citizens seem willing TO believe The
wires from Harper's Ferry are cut, and
consequently We have no telegraphic
communication with Monocacy Station.
The southern train, which was due here
at an early hour this morning, has not
vet arrived. 1t is rumored that there is
a stampede of negroes from this State
There are many other wild rumOrs, but
nothing authentic as yet.
BALTIMORE, Monday, Oct II; 2p. m.
"Another account, received by train,
saws the bridge across the Potomac was
filled with insurgents, all armed. Every
light in the town was extinguished, and
the hotels closed. All the streets were
in the possession Of the mob, and every
road and lane leading thereto bsrricaded
and guarded. Men were seen in every
quarter with muskets and bayonets, who
arrested the citizens, and impressed them
into the service, including many negroes
This done, the United States Arsenal
and Government Playhouse, in which
wac said to be a large amount of money,
and all other public works were seized
by che mob. Some were of the opinion
that the object was entirely plumber, and
to rob the Government of the funds de-
posted on Saturday at the Playhouse
During the night, the mob made de-
mand on the Wagner Hotel for provis-
ions, and enforced the claim by body
of armed men. The citizens were in
terrible state of alarm, and the insur-
gents have threatened to burn the town.
"The following has just been received
from Monocacy, this side Of Harper's
Ferry:
"sThe Mail Agent on the west bound
train has returned, and reports that the
train was unable to get through The
town is in possession of the negroes, who
arrest every one they can catch and i'm
prison. Tie train due here at 3 y. m,
could not get through, and the agent
came down on an empty engine"
POPULAR UNBELIEFs
Probably the more prevalent sensa-
ton at FIRST excited by the intelligence
was that OF blank incredulity. Harper's
Ferry being the seat of National Ar
mory, at winch large number of me-
chanics and artisans were usually en-
ployed by the Government it was sup
posed by many that some collision
respecting wages or hours OF labor had
occurred between the officers and the
workmen, which bad provoked a popu-
lar tumult, and perhaps stoppage Of
the trains passing through that village
on the Baltimore IL Ohio Railroad; and
that this, magnifed by rumor and alarm,
had afforded basis for these monstrous
exaggerations.
Yet, as time wore on, further advices,
with particulars and circumstances, left
10 room TO doubt the substantial truth
OF the original report. An attempt had
actually been made to excite slave in
surrection in northern Virginia, and the
one man in America to whom such an
enterprise would not seem utter insanity
and suicide, was at the head of it.
WHO WAS JOHN BROWN.
John Brown was sixth in descent
from Peter Brown a carpenter by trade,
and Puritan by intense conviction,
who was one Of the glorious COMPANY