The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-18


tional Convention which met at chat
ham, Canada. in 1853 and elected
Brown coniniander-lnlchief OF the
, Aro y. lie seems to have been the only
one OF the officers elected who ever
carried out any or his duties.
!, The third day OF the trial took on n
slightly sensational turn, when George
Henry Hoyt. OF Massachusetts. very
young man, arose in, court and said
that he had come to defend the pris-
oner. None, not even Brown, knew
ianything about him, and there was
some contention as to whether he
should be admitted as. counsel; but he
was finally allowed to do SO.
While his attorneys had mapped out
q fairly good line of technical defense
for Brown he insisted on directing the
path to be followed. THE witnesses
| introduced for the defence were, for
| the most part, the gentlemen whom he
had held as hostages and the object
OF their testimony was to show tina,
he was humane and considerate in the
treatment OF his prisoners, and did not
desire unnecessarily to shed blood.
This, together with the testimony
showing what he alleged to be the
improper treatment received by the
men sent by him to negotiate terms
of surrender, was about all he had to
offer"
When the defence had nearly closed
Its case, Brown arose and declared the
trial farce his counsel were
not to be relied on; and he de-
manded that the case be adjourned. and
he be given further time.
AS soon as he took his seat Messrs.
Bolts and Green retired from the case.
after expressing their surprise and
made upon their conduct" young Hoyt
was lett alone in the case, and was
especially Handicapped because "he had
never expected to defend the prisoner,
but was the advance agent OF party
who contemplated u rescue, II the con-
ditions were favorable, and had as
sumed the role of counsel solely In
order that he might have access to the
jail and prisoners" Hoyt explained his
ignorance Of the Virginia practice to
the court and begged for further de-
lay. Messrs Green and Bolts, though
they had ceased their connection with
the case, volunteered to help the young
man In the preparation Of the case.
The delay asked for was given. The
next day, Samuel Chiffon, of Washing
ton. and Hiram Griswold, of Cleveland,
lawyers of ability secured by Browns
friends, appeared in court and were
admitted as counsel for defendant. The
day was consumed in arguments. The
next day being Sunday. the court ad-
journcd till Monday.
On the final day, the counsel on bota
sides made forceful speeches. After
| a verdict OF guilty on all counts.
| Brown received the verdict with per-
i feet composure. Two days later he
was brought into court for sentence,
and when asked by Judge Parker If
4 he had anything to say why the court
should not pass Judgment upon him
he made dramatic reply:
49,. deny everything but what 1
| have all along admitted the de-
sign on my part to free slaves.
never did intend murder or treason,
or the destruction of property, or to
excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or
to make instruction. feel entire
1 ly satisfied with the treatment I have
received in my trial. Considering all
the circumstances. it has been more
generous than I expected. But I feel
no consciousness OF guilt"
He was. after pause. sentenced.
His counsel rendered three bills of ex-
| ceptions, but the Court OF Appeals.
later refused a petition for q writ OF
error. On December 2 he was execut-
ed.
In summing up. Mr.. Casklc declares:
| Browns efforts in behalf of the
cause which he had espoused, so long
as they exhibited themselves in proper
/
/ BIO harshly criticized. But when he
| adopted constitution and a set of
/ ordinances SO as to provide that his
i followers should disregard the laws OF
the State and the United States, ana
render allegiance to the government
set up by him, and organized an army,
| however small and inefficient to en-
force his mandates, he was guilty OF
| treason when he gathered together
\ body OF men, armed them with guns
and pixies with which to kill and
slaughter, and put that intention into
effect he became a murderer"
He met with no mob violence. An
able and impartial Judge presided al
/ his trial, able lawyers looked to his
defense. Every fact was proven in evil
dence. His guilt was absolutely es.
tablished, and whatever divergen.
views may have existed upon the ques-
ton of slavery, all fair and impartial
minds must concede that the iuds-
ment was just"
These conclusions of Mr. caskie
accord with the facts, and establish
his thesis that the trial was orderly