| SPEECH AND SENTENCE OF BROWN "I have, may it please the Court, a few words to say. In the first
place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted, of a design
on my part to free slaves. I intended certainly to have made a clean
thing of that matter, as I did last winter when I went into Missouri,
and there took slaves without the snapping of a gun on either side,
moving them through the country, and finally leaving them in Canada. I
designed to have done the same thing again on a larger scale. That was
all I intended to do. I never did intend murder or treason, or the
destruction of property, or to excite or incite the slaves to rebellion,
or to make insurrection. I have another objection, and that is that it
is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the
manner which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly proved--for I
admire the truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the
witnesses who have testified in this case--had I so interfered in behalf
of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in
behalf of any of their friends, either father, mother, brother, sister,
wife, or children, or any of that class, and suffered and sacrificed
what I have in this interference, it would have been all right, and
every man in this Court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward
rather than punishment. This Court acknowledges, too, as I suppose, the
validity of the law of God. I see a book kissed, which I suppose to be
the Bible, or at least the New Testament, which teaches me that all
things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so
to them. It teaches me further to remember them that are in bonds as
bound with them. I endeavored to act up to that instruction. I say I am
yet too young to understand that God is any respecter of persons. I
believe that to have interfered as I have done, as I have always freely
admitted I have done in behalf of His despised poor, is no wrong, but
right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for
the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with
the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave
country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust
enactments, I say let it be done. Let me say one word further. I feel
entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received on my trial.
Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than I
expected. But I feel no consciousness of guilt. I have stated from the
first what was my intention, and what was not. I never had any design
against the liberty of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason
or excite slaves to rebel or make any general insurrection. I never
encouraged any man to do so, but always discouraged any idea of that
kind. Let me say also in regard to the statements made by some of those
who were connected with me, I fear it has been stated by some of them
that I have induced them to join me, but the contrary is true. I do not
say this to injure them, but as regretting their weakness. Not but but
joined me of his own accord, and the greater part at their own expense.
A number of them I never saw, and never had a word of conversation with
till the day they came to me, and that was for the purpose I have
stated. Now, I am done."
While Mr. Brown was speaking, perfect quiet prevailed, and when he
had finished the Judge proceeded to pronounce sentence upon him. After a
few primary remarks, he said, that no reasonable doubt could exist of
the guilt of the prisoner, and sentenced him to be hung in public, on
Friday, the 2d of December next. |
