Who would not rather be John
Brown, and have his memory
cherished with such tender gratitude by the poor and the
oppressed, than to have his brazen statue set up in front of the
State House, a reward for hunting slaves? I agree with the
colored man, in thinking that John Brown was a 'misguided
philanthropist.' But no one who believes war to be right under
any circumstances, is authorized so to judge him. If we justify any
men in fighting against oppression, how can we deny that right to
men whose wives are constantly at the disposal of their master,
or his sons, and whose children are torn from them and sold on
the auction block, while they have no redress at law, and are
shot down like dogs, if they dare to resist? It is very
inconsistent to eulogise Lafayette for volunteering to aid in our
fight for freedom, while we blame John Brown for going to the
rescue of those who are a thousand times more oppressed than we
ever were, and who have none to help them. Let us understand our
principles well in this matter, and deal even-handed justice in
our estimate of actions. We who believe that all fighting
with carnal weapons is contrary to the teachings of Jesus, do
think that John Brown made a grievous mistake; but while we
deeply regret the means he employed to advance righteous
principles, we cannot withhold a heartfelt tribute of respect to
the generous motives and self-sacrificing spirit of the brave old
martyr.
Instead of blaming him for carrying out his own
convictions by means we cannot sanction, it would be more
profitable for us to inquire of ourselves whether we, who believe
in a 'more excellent way,' have carried our convictions into
practice, as faithfully as he did his. We
believe in moral influence as a cure for the diseases of
society. Have we exerted it as constantly and as strenuously as
we ought against the giant wrong, that making wreck of all the
free institutions our fathers handed down to us as a sacred
legacy? Do we bear our testimony against it in the parlor and the
store, the caucus and the conference, on the highway and in the
cars? Do we stamp upon the impressible minds of our children a
deep conviction of its inherent wickedness and consequent danger?
Do we exclude the ravening monster from our churches, as we ought
to do? Do we withhold respect from ministers, who are silent
concerning this mighty iniquity? Do we brand with ignominy the
statesmen, who make compromises with the foul sin, for their own
emolument? Nay, verily! We erect statues to them. And because we
have thus failed to perform our duty in the 'more
excellent way,' the end cometh by violence, because come it must.
Let him who is without sin in this matter cast the first
stone at the gray head of that honest old Puritan, John Brown!
He believed, more earnestly than most of us do, that it was
a religious duty to 'remember those in bonds as bound with them';
and he verily thought it was serving God to fight in a righteous
cause. Therefore, shall his memory be forever enshrined in the
greateful hearts of a down-trodden race, and command the respect
of all true friends of justice and freedom. In the midst of
awful tribulations, his sublime faith in God lifted him above all
need of our compassion. Leaning on the Almighty arm, he passed
triumphantly thorugh the valley of the shadow of death, smiling
serenely, as he said, 'I don't know as I can better serve the
cause I love so well, than to die for it.' Farewell to
thee, faithful old hero and martyr. The Recording Angel will blot
out thy error with a tear, because it was committed with an
honest heart. |
