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History>eXplorations>John
Brown: Hero or Terrorist?>The
Trial of John Brown> "The Virginia Judiciary"
“The
Virginia Judiciary”
Editorial in The New York Times, October 24, 1859
We
are very glad to see, if we may judge from the charge to the
Grand jury, which is to find the bill against Brown and his
confederates, that the Virginian judiciary are likely to do
justice to themselves and the State in dealing with the Harper's
Ferry "insurrection." Nothing could be clearer, calmer,
wiser, and more impartial, than the terms in which the duty
of those who are charged with the administration of the law
in this unfortunate affair has been laid down; nothing could
be more patriotic than the manner in which the supremacy of
the law itself, over all popular passions and prejudices, has
been asserted. Whatever disgrace Brown's emeute and the panic
which it has inspired may reflect upon Virginia (and Gov. Wise
thinks it serious), she derives nothing but credit from the
attitude so far taken by the Bench. If this spirit be maintained
throughout the trial, she may almost thank the terrible Abolitionists
for giving her a chance of proving to the world that she still
can show the surest indication of strength and greatness the
ability to give her bitterest foe a fair trial in open court,
without fear or favor, on a charge of having aimed a blow at
her very existence. We know of no better test of the civilization
and soundness of a State than the tone of her judges and Bar,
in dealing with a case of this kind in a time of great popular
excitement. If they cling to the law and the Constitution, and
hold the scales of justice with a steady hand, it matters little
how mobs may rave or riot. The world will always take it for
granted that a community which produces judges, who preserve
their composure, their honor, in the midst of tumultuous passions,
is sound at the core, and has still a great future in store
for it . . . .
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