Digital History>eXplorations>John Brown: Hero or Terrorist?>Teacher Resources>Lesson Plans>Will the Real John Brown Please Stand Up!>For Teachers>New York Tribune, Dec. 5, 1859

December 5, 1859

On leaving the Jail, John Brown had on his face an expression of calmness and serenity characteristic of the patriot who is about to die with a living consciousness that he is laying his life down for the good of his fellow creatures. As he stepped out of door a black woman, with her little child in her arms, stood near his way. The twain were of the despised race for whose emancipation and elevation to the dignity of children of God he was about to lay down his life. He stopped for a moment in his course, stooped over, and with the tenderness of one whose love is as broad as the brotherhood of man, kissed [the child] affectionately.