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The Difference.
When Old Brown, in a fit of madness, calls about him a band of twenty-two men as crazy as himself, and endeavors to stampede slaves from the borders of Virginia, and in the course of the transaction two or three persons are killed, contrary to the intentions and orders of Brown,which were that life and property should be spared, --he is seized and placed upon hasty trial for his life. His acts meanwhile are openly condemned by the Republican party throughout the North. But when the Border Ruffians invaded Kansas and slaughtered her inhabitants in cold blood and sacked her towns and settlements, the marauders were rewarded with fat appointments and became pets of the Federal Government. What we have stated are historical facts. A number of instances are enumerated by the Albany Evening Journal which attests what we have said:
Brown's Pre-Arranged Plan.
Among the letters of Col. Hugh Forbes, just put forth, exposing a fore-knowledge by leading republican Senators and others of the long mediated insurrection of old Brown at Harper's Ferry, is one dated at Washington, D. C., May 14, 1858, and addressed to S. G. Howe, Boston. This letter gives his own and Brown's plans of operating on the Southern States. Forbes' plan was to organize along the Southern slave frontier, a series of slave stampedes. But the following is more to the point:
Dread of Slave Revolts
Speaking of the dread of slave revolts constantly in the minds of slaveholders the N. Y. Post says:
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE PLOT.
LETTER FROM COL. FORBES.
...I joined him there on the 9th of August. The Border Ruffians having just at that period spread a report that they had abandoned Kansas, the New-England managers allowed Capt. B. and myself to stay at Tabor without funds, and did not send the promised remittances to my family, because a great number of subscribers did not contribute their respective quotas. During this interval of suspense, Capt. B. advocated the adoption of his plan, and I supported mine of stampedes. The conclusion arrived at was that he renounced his Harper's Ferry project, and I consented to cooperate in stampedes in Virginia and Maryland instead of the part of the country I indicated as the most suitable....
STAMPEDE OF SLAVES FRUSTATED [sic] --The Towsontown (Md.) Advocate has the following:
'We understand that on Saturday night a band of some forty slaves was to have congregated at Dr. Butler's place, near Finksburg, in Carroll County, Md., but one of them disclosing the secret, the plan was frustrated, and five of them arrested and placed in Westminster jail.'
The above, says the New York Tribune, is confirmed by the Westminster Sentinel, which states that the slaves belonged to Dr. Butler, George Jacobs, and Hanson T. Bartholow. Horses and carriages were in waiting when the discovery was made. That paper adds that they were all arrested, and that unknown parties were concerned in the attempted stampede.
The Abolition Insurrection in Virginia
--More Amazing Disclosures.
...Forbes' plan was simply an organized system of stampeding slaves along the border States, and thus gradually driving the institution farther South. Brown's project was declared --so long ago as May, 1858 --to be identically that which has had such a miserable failure at Harper's Ferry. Forbes was too experienced a stager not to see the inevitable result of such a ridiculous project, and much of his correspondence that has fallen into our hands is taken up with denunciations of Brown's crazy idea, and of appeals to the leading republicans to stop Brown or to denounce him....
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A LARGE UNDERGROUND ARRIVAL --
The Abolitionist Riot at Harper's Ferry --Sewardism at the South.
...There were, of course, white scoundrels ready to join in the insurrection for the purpose of Seward or of any one else whose views might be antagonistic. But the direct agents of the "irrepressible conflict" doctrines were sincere. They aimed at "freeing the slaves" --at promoting a stampede --at establishing Seward's conflict principle --at plundering the Southern planters for the policy of the Northern pirates --of rioting for some blacks that they might involve in bloodshed and pauperize some whites....
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SEWARD, HALE AND BROWN.
...Having made several ineffectual attempts to get a quiet conversation with Senator John P. Hale, of New Hampshire, I met him accidentally on Sunday morning. I could not then enter into the details of John Brown's project; therefore I confined myself to explaining the urgency sending relief to my family."
In a letter written from Washington to Dr. Howe eight days after this, however, Forbes, whose own plan was the organizing of "a series of stampedes of slaves," along "the Northern slave frontier," finds opportunity to unfold "the details of John Brown's project" to his correspondence as follows: ...
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From the Albany Atlas & Argus.
Revelations of Conspiracy --The Harper's
Ferry Affair Plotted in 1858 --Seward in-
formed of its Ramifications --Speculation
in Murder --Amos Lawrence & Co. offer
$7,00 for an Insurrection and a Rise in
Cotton --The three Plots, Brown's, Forbes',
and the Well-matured Plan.
...Forbes' plan was to organize "stampedes," that is the flight of parties of slaves, from 20 to 50, twice a month --twice a week, if need be --along the Northern border, so as to make slave property untenable, and irritate the pro-slaveryites into blunders.
THE FORBES CORRESPONDENCE.
...He shows throughout a determination to "put money in his purse." He had his own plans and theories of "humanitarian" effort. He preferred taking stock in the Underground Railroad, and proposed the organization of a grand series of slave stampedes, extending from Delaware to Kansas. But he was not particular, and agreed with Brown to a modified plan of stampedes, accompanied with occasional enterprises at insurrection, such as Brown undertook at Harper's Ferry....
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A coincidence––though possible having no connection with this plot––was the stampede of 30 slaves from Alexandria and Fairfax counties, Va., on Saturday night. It might have been that they were a part of Brown’s expected reinforcements. Some of them belonged to the estate of the late Commodore Thomas P Catesby Jones, and some to Rev. Mr. Lippett.
The Difference.
When Old Brown, in a fit of madness, calls about him a band of twenty-two men as crazy as himself, and endeavors to stampede slaves from the borders of Virginia, and in the course of the transaction two or three persons are killed, contrary to the intentions and orders of Brown,which were that life and property should be spared, --he is seized and placed upon hasty trial for his life. His acts meanwhile are openly condemned by the Republican party throughout the North. But when the Border Ruffians invaded Kansas and slaughtered her inhabitants in cold blood and sacked her towns and settlements, the marauders were rewarded with fat appointments and became pets of the Federal Government. What we have stated are historical facts. A number of instances are enumerated by the Albany Evening Journal which attests what we have said:
One aspect of these revolts, which has often presented itself to our minds, has been impressed upon us with renewed force by the circumstances of the Harper's Ferry stampede. It is the policy by which they must ever be accompanied. No matter how slight the spark, the apparent combustion is terrific. Old Brown, with his score of followers, has set the entire commonwealth in commotion, and arrested the gaze of the world. The same number of men, with the same [illegible], anywhere else, might have been suppressed by the ordinary police of a village. --...
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The insurrection, so called, at Harper's Ferry, proves a verity. Old Brown of Osawatomie, who was last heard of on his way from Missouri to Canada with a band of runaway slaves, now turns up in Virginia, where he seems to have been for some months plotting and preparing for a general stampede of slaves. How he came to be in Harper's Ferry, and in possession of the U.S. Armory, is not yet clear; but he was probably betrayed or exposed, and seized the Armory as a place of security until he could safely get away. The whole affair seems the work of a madman; but John Brown has so often looked death serenely in the face, that what seems madness to others doubtless wore a different aspect to him....
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...Mine was as follows: With carefully selected colored and white persons to organize along the Northern slave frontier (Virginia and Maryland especially) a series of stampedes of slaves, each one of which operations would carry off in one night, and from the same place, some twenty to fifty slaves; this to be effected once or twice a month, and eventually once or twice a week along non-contiguous parts of the line; if possible without conflict, only resorting to force if attacked. Slave women, accustomed to field labor, would be nearly as useful as men. Everything being in readiness to pass on the fugitives, they could be sent with such speed to Canada that pursuit would be hopeless....
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The Washington States chronicles a stampede from Alexandria of some thirty slaves, about the time of the Harper’s Ferry emeute, and the Rochester Express of the 25th says that the same living freight, valued at some $15,000, passed over the Suspension Bridge into Canada, and by so doing was immediately transferred from chattels into men, women, and children.
THE REPEAL OF THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE
...So it is with this Harper's Ferry movement. The disclosures which have followed indicate clearly that of itself it is only a feature of the "irrepressible conflict" which the Seward's, Gidding's, Forbes' and others, are waging against the south. Whether it comes in the shape of "stampedes of slaves," or violent outbreaks, it is the same in effect. It will, if persisted in, destroy the Republic....
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A LARGE UNDERGROUND ARRIVAL --
In Noticing the recent arrival at Detroit of a cargo of live fright consisting of twenty-six “chattels” all the way from Missouri, and their safely landing in Canada, the Advertiser says:
What the Harper's Ferry Affair Proves.
A LARGE UNDERGROUND ARRIVAL --
In Noticing the recent arrival at Detroit of a cargo of live fright consisting of twenty-six “chattels” all the way from Missouri, and their safely landing in Canada, the Advertiser says:
[From the Raleigh Register.]
HARPER'S FERRY OUTBREAK––IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES.
...It matters not that Brown's exploded plot was not Forbes'. It matters not that Forbes discountenanced Brown's mode of operations. He did so because he believed his own plan––the plan submitted to Seward––was more efficient than that of Brown. Forbes' plan was by force of arms to stampede, or run off parties of slaves from the frontier States, and thus continually drive slavery inwards, until it was finally extirpated at the centre, and to this plan, according to Forbes, Seward either did not objection, or by his language consented....
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The house of a leading black republican of this city was searched by the Sheriff last Saturday for ten runaway negroes from Missouri. The negroes were not found. The Sheriff was at least four days behind time.
An Abolition Agent at Memphis.
A Dr. W.R. Palmer has been arrested and held to bail for trial, on the strength of the following documents received by Gov. WISE of Virginia, and transmitted to Gov. HARRIS, of Tennessee. The press of Memphis state that excitement exists in consequence of these circumstantial disclosures, which, as far as evidence of immaterial circumstances goes, are correct....
We learn from the American, that on Monday last, ten negroes ran away from Lagrange, Mo., five males and five females. They belonged to seven different persons in that town. They have offered a reward of $2,650 for their arrest The negroes stole a flat boat from Lagrange in which it is supposed they crossed the river. The boat was caught afloat at or near Quincy. We also learn from the American that another negro made his escape from that place on Friday night last.
NEGRO STAMPEDE.––Eleven negroes made their escape from Lagrange, Lewis county, in the early part of last week. Ten of them went off together, and nothing had been heard of them Saturday. A reward of $2,650 is offered for them. The American says:
"The fugitives stole a flat boat from this place, in which it is supposed they crossed the river.––The boat was caught at or near Quincy. If these slaves succeed in making a permanent escape, it will be the third or fourth successful stampede that has taken place from LaGrange in the past three or four months. This fact leads us to the conclusion that there is a regular underground railroad established from this place to Chicago, Ills., and that the company have an agent or agents in this city. It is our belief that an abolition conductor accompanied this last party of slaves, and that this underground railroad forms a connection with the Quincy & Chicago R.R."
...One aspect of these revolts, which has often presented itself to our minds, has been impressed upon us with renewed force by the circumstances of the Harper's Ferry stampede. It is the policy by which they must ever be accompanied. No matter how slight the spark, the apparent combustion is terrific. Old Brown, with his score of followers, has set the entire commonwealth in commotion, and arrested the gaze of the world. The same number of men, with the same [illegible], anywhere else, might have been suppressed by the ordinary police of a village. --...
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Improvement of the Harper's Ferry Idea.
...The house of refuge for runaway slaves by that event be brought down from Canada to the frontiers of Maryland and Virginia, and Kentucky and Missouri. No amount of vigilance could prevent stampedes on a far greater scale than that on which they have hitherto been conducted. The value of Slavery in all the States bordering on the north would rapidly depreciate, and the only security for that species of property would be in sending it immediately to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico....
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Barbarism.
...A long confession, written by himself, was read by one of his counsel, going into the history of his connection with Brown in the Kansas war and in running off slaves from Missouri, of John Brown’s convention in Canada, and of his own exploration of Jefferson county, Va., under Brown’s directions, to prepare for the general stampede of slaves....
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THE CASE OF PALMER.
The arrest at Memphis, Tennessee, of Dr. William R. Palmer, and his commitment to prison on the charge of plotting a general stampede of the slaves in that vicinity, has, we have very little question, been brought about by private malice, taking advantage of the excitement produced by the Harper's Ferry affair, and making tools of Gov. Wise, Gov. Harris, and of Mr. Josiah Horne, Acting Justice of the Peace for Shelby County, for the accomplishment of its purposes....
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Stampede of Negroes in Missouri.
The St. Louis News of the 14th notices the escape of $11,000 worth of chattels from Lagrange, Missouri. The party consisted of six males and five females. They took a flat boat and crossed to Illinois in the night, and probably secured a safe passage over the U.G.R R, though the seven persons who claimed ownership offered a reward of $2,650 for their arrest
Negro Stampede.
The Chicago Journal says that on Thursday evening, the 17th inst., the underground railroad arrived there with thirty passengers, five from the vicinity of Richmond, Va., twelve from Kentucky and thirteen from Missouri.––They are now all safe in Canada. The thirteen from Missouri were sold to go down the river, the very day they started. A stalwart six footer and a Sharp's rifle were the only guides.
Drifting into War.
...At the very time when it was exhausting its energies to put down a slave stampede, caused by seventeen white men and five negroes, our territory was invaded by a foreign enemy, our citizens butchered, and a considerable village taken from the hands of its inhabitants....
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Stampedes of slaves in parties of a dozen or two are becoming frequent. The last troop of twelve or fifteen escaped from Alexandria, Va., about the time of the Harper’s Ferry tumult, and passed the Niagara the following week.
Stampede of Negroes from Lewis County.
Last Monday night ten negroes, five males and five females, ran off from Lagrange, Lewis county, in this State.––They belonged to seven different persons, and being valuable slaves, were worth not less than $10,000. They stole a flat-boat with which they crossed to the Illinois shore, with the help, no doubt, of Abolitionists. A reward of $2,650 is offered for their arrest. On Friday night another negro belonging to Capt. Lillard, of the same place, effected his escape, making eleven in all.––St. Louis News.
Excitement on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Anticipated––Stampede of Slaves.
NORFOLK, NOV, 23.––A special messenger has arrived here from Northampton on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, for volunteers to protect the property of slave owners, it having been ascertained that an attempt would be made on the 25th to run off slaves to Canada. Great excitement is said to prevail in the vicinity in reference to the matter.
The Slave Insurrection and Its Hero
…The whole affair appears to have been nothing more in its inception and little more in its execution than a plot for a “stampede” of the slaves––differing only in extent from attempts which are every day aided and abetted by the most virtuous of American citizens. Some of these, to escape the rigor of Southern law, backed by the Imperial power of the United States, have now been compelled to seek refuge in Canada….
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THE NORTHAMPTON REPORT.–– The report of a slave stampede to come off in Northampton county, Va., to-day, originated from an anonymous letter received by Mr. Raleigh, of that county, in which “A Friend of Humanity” states that an attempt will be made at four places on the Eastern shore of Virginia, to-day, (one of them being Pungoteague,) to free the slaves and send them off to Canada. Col. Mumford, Secretary of State, has telegraphed to Norfolk to send 300 muskets, with ammunition, to Col. Finney, of Accomac.
…That he attempted to run slaves, rather than free them by the slow processes of legal and social reform, is doubtless chargeable upon him, but to actors themselves must often be left the selection of means, and if they so determine, an exodus may be as constitutional as an emancipation act. The Stampede is only a practical use of the Bill of Rights which God incorporated in the charter of human existence….
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THE NORTHAMPTON REPORT.–– The report of a slave stampede to come off in Northampton county, Va., to-day, originated from an anonymous letter received by Mr. Raleigh, of that county, in which “A Friend of Humanity” states that an attempt will be made at four places on the Eastern shore of Virginia, to-day, (one of them being Pungoteague,) to free the slaves and send them off to Canada. Col. Mumford, Secretary of State, has telegraphed to Norfolk to send 300 muskets, with ammunition, to Col. Finney, of Accomac.
Prentice on Seward
…Last year, 1858, some of the restless spirits who had kept up the embrolio in Kansas, finding their former occupation gone, began to devise means and ways to carry on offensive operations within the frontier Slave States. FORBES’ plan was nothing more than negro-stealing on a grand scale by “organized stampedes"....
A LARGE NEGRO STAMPEDE.–– The Chicago Journal says that on Thursday evening, the 17th inst., the underground railroad arrived there with thirty passengers, five from the vicinity of Richmond, Va., twelve from Kentucky and thirteen from Missouri.––They are now all safe in Canada. The thirteen from Missouri were sold to go down the river, the very day they started. A stalwart six footer and a Sharp's rifle were the only guides.
The telegraphic dispatch from Norfolk, announcing a slave insurrection or stampede on the Eastern shore of Virginia, and a consequent excitement there, was based on a very slender foundation.––An anonymous letter was its only foundation, and the alarm, the Norfolk Herald says, excited only a general sentiment of derision.
Who Pointed the Way to John Brown?
...The Virginians are consternated at the audacity of John Brown’s scheme for running off negroes to the free States; they insist that he has levied war upon the Old Dominion, and that the upshots of his scheme, if carried into effect, would be anarchy and civil war. We do not believe that John Brown had any such objects in view. As an ardent sympathizer with the slaves, he desired their emancipation, but the method in which he proposed to bring it about was by a general stampede along the frontier, and not by a bloody insurrection….
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The St. Louis papers report a stampede of ten slaves from Lagrange, Mo., on the 21st November. They succeeded in reaching Illinois.
ATTEMPTED STAMPEDE.––The Cambridge Democrat, of yesterday, says:
There were six negroes lodged in jail last Monday, five belonging to Capt. T.H. Webb and one to James Waddell, Esq. They were detected in making an attempt to run away.
Stampede of Negroes in Missouri.
Last Monday night ten negroes, five males and five females, ran off from Lagrange, Lewis county, in this State.––They belonged to seven different persons, and being valuable slaves, were worth not less than $10,000. They stole a flat-boat with which they crossed to the Illinois shore, with the help, no doubt, of Abolitionists. A reward of $2,650 is offered for their arrest. On Friday night another negro belonging to Capt. Lillard, of the same place, effected his escape, making eleven in all.
THE DIFFERENCE.
When John Brown calls about him a small band, and endeavors to stampede slaves from the borders of Virginia, and in the course of the transaction, two or three persons are killed, contrary to the intentions and orders of Brown, which were that life and property should be spared––he is seized and placed upon hasty trial for his life. His acts meanwhile are openly condemned by the Republican party throughout the North. But when the Border Ruffians invaded Kansas, and slaughtered her inhabitants in cold blood, and sacked her towns and settlements, the marauders were rewarded with fat appointments, and became pets of the Federal Government. What we have stated are historical facts. A number of instances are enumerated by the Albany Evening Journal, which attests what we have said:
The South and Southern Safety––A New Presidential Programme.
We are informed from Washington that the failure of the South to secure a law at this session of Congress for the better protection and security of Southern institutions and Southern society will not be considered as the direct signal for disunion, but that still another effort will be made to secure the South, within the Union, against the abolition incendiaries and movements of the North. This effort, it is predicted, will be something in the shape of a Presidential ticket or platform, or both, from a caucus or convention of Southern members of Congress, the authorized and legally constituted representatives of the Southern people.