(Taken from NORTH STAR TO F R E E D O M   pg.116)

...army of Canadians to help get the fugitives across the border. When his army was large enough, Brown promised, it would march south and take over the slave states entirely. The plan was breathtaking; the reality was a disaster. Brown's first step was to attack a government arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, to steal a hoard of guns and ammunition for his planned army. But government troops arrived and overpowered the raiders, and ten of them died-including two of John Brown's sons. Brown was hanged for treason, conspiracy, and murder in December 1859.

    To opponents of slavery on both sides of the border, he remained a hero and a martyr who had laid down his life in the cause of freedom. UNITED NO MORE In 1854, a new political party had been formed in the United States. It was called the Republican Party, and it opposed slavery in any new territories; it also denounced the Dred Scott decision. Naturally the southern states regarded the new party with deep mistrust. But in the North the Republicans gained support rapidly, and in 1860 they chose a little- known lawyer as their new leader. His name'was Abraham Lincoln. (opposite) Although John Brown was involved in some bloody deeds, and was regarded by many as a madman, to others he was a great hero. On his way to be hanged he stopped to kiss a black baby. Before he died he bravely declared that if he had to die to bring 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. "
 

back