slaves of their labor, by invading their homes, and ravishing their wives, daughters and sisters, and plundering their nurseries and cradles; and by murdering them, if they attempt to defend themselves and their families. So, in the very act of hanging Brown to defend yourself, you justify him in doing the deed for which you hang him!
Slaves of the South! People of the North! Look at the commission of Judge Parker, who sentenced Brown to be hung; look at the commission of General Taliaferro, who heads the troops of Virginia and of the United States, now surrounding the gallows on which hangs his murdered body; open the commission of Captain Avis, the jailor, and of Sheriff Campbell, who now stand by that murdered body! Whose name is on all these? Not that of Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia. What seal is that? Virginia—her foot on the prostrate and headless form of a slaveholder!
Once more: that death-warrant! Look at it! The name of Henry A. Wise is there. What is the import of that seal? To the slaves it says: "Arise! Cut off your masters' heads! Kill, slay and destroy all who would enslave you, or molest you in your efforts to secure your freedom!" To John Brown it says, "Hasten to Harper's Ferry; incite the slaves to run away, and help them to exterminate all who shall attempt to impede their exodus!"
Thus, in the very death-warrant under which Brown is hung, you and Virginia pronounce him innocent of all evil, and justify the very deed for which you hang him. In every way, you pronounce him guiltless. Yet, you have hung him! Are you not a murderer? Yes! Henry A. Wise and Virginia being witnesses. Yes! the heart, the conscience, the reason and history of the nation being witnesses. Yes! by the testimony of mankind, and by the voice of God.
Dream not that John Brown will appear in this world's history as "a fool," "a fanatic," "a robber," "a ruffian," "a madman," "a monomaniac," "a marauder," or "a murderer." His plan was formed in wisdom and righteousness; and was executed in purest justice, goodness and benevolence, according to the religion and government of Virginia, and of the United States; and according to the convictions of ninety-nine out of every hundred of the people.
What was his object? To arouse the nation to consider the sin, the shame, and the danger of slavery, with a view
