to its abolition. What was his plan of action? Running slaves off, or dying in the attempt. Either would answer his purpose. This he knew, and was prepared for the alternative. Death at your hands overtook him in the attempt, and when in the act of breaking his neck, your word was heard throughout the land, saying, "Surely, this is a just man!" Has he failed? Never was the life of man—death, rather—a more complete success.
What has been the one ruling thought of Virginia, and of every slave State, and of the Union, the past two months? John Brown and Harper's Ferry! What the one spoken and unspoken word of the entire nation? John Brown and Harper's Ferry! The one pulsation of the nation's heart has been,—John Brown and him hung, for seeking to free slaves! John Brown, the friend of the slave, has edited every paper, presided over every domestic and social circle, over every prayer, conference and church meeting, over every pulpit and platform, and over every Legislative, Judicial and Executive department of government; and he will edit every paper, and govern Virginia and all the Slates, and preside over Congress, guide its deliberations, and control all political caucuses and elections, for one year to come.
In a word, John Brown and him hung will be the one thought of the nation; and John Brown and him hung for "bearing the yoke of the oppressed as if upon his own neck," is now, and will continue to be, the one deep and humiliating feeling that will fill every heart with grief, sadness, shame, indignation and loathing. John Brown has triumphed; and that, too, according to his expectations, in death.
You have murdered him; but you, Virginia, and the nation, retire from the bloody deed a thousand-fold more impotent to defend slavery than you were before. You have murdered his body; but John Brown holds you, Virginia, the nation, and slavery, in his firm, determined grasp, more completely than he ever did before.
May John Brown and him hung be to you, Virginia, and the nation, what Christ and him crucified was to his executioner, "A savor of life unto life, and not of death unto death!"
Thine, for eternal life to freedom, and a speedy death to slavery,
HENRY C. WRIGHT.
