|
Digital
History>eXplorations>John
Brown: Hero or Terrorist?>The
Trial of John Brown> Address
of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when About to Receive
Sentence of Death
Address
of John Brown to the Virginia Court, when About to Receive Sentence
of Death
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 . . .
Had I interfered
in the matter which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly
proved . . . had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful,
the intelligent, or the so-called great . . . and suffered and
sacrificed, what I have in this intereference, it would have been
all right. Every man in this Court would have deemed it an act
worthy of reward rather than punishment.
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 unto 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 that
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 dod 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.
|
