Under
this head, the "New York Commercial Advertiser," a
Black Republican Free soil sheet, puts forth an argument to
show that Brown is an "ultra fanatic" "little
better than insane," "with mind and heart alike too
warped for him to discern evil from good. Under these circumstances,
the "Advertiser," argues that it would not be good
policy for Virginia to hang Brown and his fellow murderers....
.
. . A cunning policy does the "Advertiser" suggest.
Pardon the principal and permit the accessories to escape! Extend
clemency to
Brown and forgiveness to Seward, Hale, Giddings, Smith and Greeley!-
The "Advertiser" begs the Executive of Virginia not
to
make a martyr of Brown; that being a fanatic he is insane certainly
to some degree, and our New York contemporary fears direful
consequences will spring from his execution. That as the blood
of the martyrs was the seed of the Church, so from the grave
of John Brown the "Advertiser" fears a crop of armed
fanatics may spring up destructive to Virginia and the South.
It would perhaps have been more to the point to have shown that
the pardon of Brown would have lessened the number of existing
fanatics rather than by suggesting their increase from a due course of justice. But we
apprehend the Executive of Virginia will not turn an attentive
ear to suggestions coming from such a source as the New York
Commercial "Advertiser." The Republican party, of
which the "Advertiser" is an organ, is too deeply
implicated in the actions of their chief leadersto offer suggestions
with regard to the just punishment of one of their numbers.
. . .
Violated
laws and murdered citizens demand a victim at the hand of justice,
if Brown is a crazed fanatic, irresponsible either in morals
or law, there are yet guilty parties. He is then the agent of
wicked principals. Northern people believe Brown insane ..what
punishment is due to those who have poisoned his mind with the
"irrepressible conflict" an spurred his fanaticism
to deeds of blood and carnage. He may be insane, but there are
other criminals, guilty wretches, who instigated the crimes
perpetrated at Harper's Ferry.
Bring
these men, bring Seward, Greeley, Giddings, Hale and Smith to
the jurisdiction of Virginia, and Brown and his deluded victims
in the Charlestown jail may hope for pardon. In the opinion
of Virginia the five Republican leaders, above mentioned, are
more guilty than even John Brown and his associates. An ignorant
fanaticism may be pleaded in paliation of the crime of Brown,
but the five Republican leaders would spurn such a stultifying
plea! They would not compromise their intelligence even at the
cost of their morality. Let the friends of Brown, let all who
believe him to be insane, and all who intend to represent him
as a crazy fanatic, for whose folly no party is responsible,
deliver up Seward, Greeley, Giddings, Smith and Hale. A fair
trial, at their own time, with their own counsel, will be freely
given them, and if Virginia does not prove them guilty, they
too shall go unhurt.