Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-11-16
S0UTHERNER'S STUDY
OF "HIGH IDEALS"
Theodore Roosevelt Gives Praise to
John Brown

New York city, writes as follows. in
part, in the New York Sun of recent
date, and quotes largely from his
tory to prove his claims:
In the Outlook for September 3.
1910. ex-President Roosevelt SAYS.
John Brown stands to us now as
representing the men and the gen.
GRAFTON who rendered the greatest
service ever rendered this country.
He stood for heroic valor, grim en-
ergy, fierce fidelity 10 high ideals.
A great debt is owed to John Brown
because he is one of the most str tx
ing figures in the mighty struggle
which was to keep us forever a free
and united nation. which was to Sc
cure the continuance of the most
tremendous democratic experiment
ever tried. He did much in his lite
and more in his death: he embodied
the inspiration of the men OF his
generation. John Browns
work was brought to completion
by the men who bore aloft
the banner OF the Union during the
fOdr terrible years which interviewed
between Sumpter and Appomattox.
Coming from one who has held the
highest Office in the gift OF great
nation, this astounding encomium
deserves more than a passing no
tice. BY great many native
Americans in whom reason is not
c'ouded by sentiment, sympathy Or
prejudice. it will be held that despite
the unselfish motive which may be
conceded as the impel'ing force 10
John Browns fanaticism. the means
employed we're such as TO justify the
doubt OF the wisdom or right of
holding him up as an example to
this or other generations. They will
holland the proof is positive
that for the last several years of his
career he was not a law abiding cit.
izen; that he repeatedly and with
reconciliation sinned against the
laws of God and his country; that
he took by violence and against the
law the property (slaves, wagons,
live stock, etc. OF peaceable, law
abiding citizens and was particeps
criminiS in the murder of rnan who
was exercising the first great duty
of protecting his home and family,
his property and himself; that on
May 1926, 1856, he caused to be
taken out of their beds at the dead
hours of night five persons (two oil
these lads under age), and in cold
blood directed members of his own
family and others to cut them to
death, which they did; that he was
for years an outlaw and fugitive
from justice, going about under as
sumed names, with a reward out fol-
his apprehension; that without any
provocation and without any declar
alton of war, he led an armed inva
sion of peaceful community, carry
ing guns and pixies with which Il
arm a servile race (knowing, a.
those who gave him moral and ma
terial aid in this expedition knew
OF the deplorable Southampton in
surrection only a few years befor,
in the same community, and muir
dered or caused to be murdered I'm
offending citizens; that he wa
guilty of treason in selling and ap
propriating to his own unlawful
uses the property of the Unite,
States; and that he was tried by
court of recognized jurisdiction
condemned and executed on the gal
lows for his crimes against God an,
the laws OF his country.
The truth OF the foregoing rest
upon unimpeachable evidence. TIL
partisans of John Brown for a lon
time denied his participating in tn
cold blooded massacre on the Patta
watomie, and bis family deliberatel
lied about it. The truth is no'
known, and it stands out as one {
the foulest and most cowardl
crimes 10 the annals of that era {
murder and crime in Kansas |
which both parties, Pro-Slavery an
Eraa Soil dispraced America an