John Brown was the abolitionist that took a sword to the scalps of five proslavery men in Kansas. He also invaded the stockpile of weapons at Harpers Ferry before he was captured, tried, and hanged. What do you you think of John Brown. Here's an excerpt of his final words. The fuller account is linked in the readings on the right... In the first place, I deny every thing but what I have already 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 desired to have done the same thing again, on a much larger scale. That was all I intended. I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite 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, 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. Every man in this Court would have deemed it an act worthy a reward, rather than a punishment.
This Court acknowledges too, as I suppose, the validity of the Law of God. I saw 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, I have done 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.
Friday, June 26, 2009
John Brown's Ethics
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John Brown was truly a man of courage. We all owe him a deep debt of gratitude. what the world needs are more John Browns, men who would stand for the right though the heavens fall.
ReplyDeleteAubrey Duncan
I really think John Brown along with other abolitionist were men and women of bravery. For declaring his own children's blood for the sake and cause of slavery is a profound statement. I would have to second guess putting my children in danager for a cause of revolution. However, I thank God he did.
ReplyDeleteAngela Webb
Brown took matters into his own hands as a brave and courageous man. He fought for what he believed in and did not think about his consequences.
ReplyDeleteBrown had convictions about himself; he did not believe in slavery. He had freed some slaves; it was not his intention to hurt any one but things got out of hand.
ReplyDeleteI too felt John Brown was courageous for trying to do some work in the movement toward abolishing of slavery. I agree with Aubrey, the world needs more John Browns.
ReplyDelete---signed by Sharhonda Sheffield----