1850 American Gold Tycoon

Chapter 598 Why fear death?

The Gileadite Alliance armed forces attacked Harpers Ferry, destroyed the plantations near the ferry, liberated the plantation slaves, and detained local gentry and celebrities. The story spread, and soon caused an uproar throughout the United States.

Especially after the leak of the telegram sent by President Buchanan to the Virginia authorities and Robert E. Lee, it aroused strong indignation among the people in the North who supported abolition.

Major newspapers in the north criticized the Buchanan government for characterizing the Confederacy of Gilead as a rebel force and defining John Brown as the rebel leader in the telegram. Instead, he praised John Brown as a freedom fighter and hero.

The popularity and support of the Buchanan government dropped to a freezing point. Both the North and the South lost trust in the Buchanan government.

After learning that the Virginia authorities were about to put 34 prisoners, including John Brown and his youngest son, on trial in Virginia, massive demonstrations broke out in major cities in the north.

In order to cater to public opinion, the governments of the northern states also used electricity to put pressure on the federal government and the Virginia government.

Demand that Virginia authorities transport John Brown and others to Washington for trial by the Supreme Court rather than in Virginia.

The Virginia authorities turned a deaf ear to the protests and demands of the North. It was still decided to try John Brown in Virginia.

Lincoln, a Republican, knew what it meant to have a court of slaveholders try a group of anti-slavery crusaders.

Lincoln rode a starry night train to Richmond and asked to serve as John Brown's defense attorney.

Virginia authorities refused to serve as John Brown's defense attorney because Lincoln was unfamiliar with Virginia law.

Lincoln had no choice but to postpone John Brown's trial out of humanitarian concern on the grounds that John Brown was seriously injured.

The result was, of course, self-evident. The Virginia authorities, well aware that this was just a delaying tactic by Lincoln and John Brown, once again rejected the request.

John Brown's attack on Harpers Ferry caused Virginia to lose face. Before that, no armed force had ever dared to take the initiative to invade the South.

Whether it was to save face or to deter other northern radical abolitionist forces, it was impossible for the Virginia authorities and even the entire South to spare John Brown lightly.

From the moment John Brown was taken prisoner from the North, his fate was sealed.

On March 7, 1860, an unprecedented trial began in Virginia.

Prior to the trial of John Brown, the State of Virginia had interrogated John Brown's accomplices, or associates.

Many of the accomplices who have completed their trials have taken the initiative to plead guilty.

The courtroom of the Virginia Supreme Court was solemn and solemn, and everyone's eyes were focused on a man in the dock who was dressed simply and covered with injuries. He was hated by Virginia and even the entire South at this moment. John Brown, the focus of today.

John Brown glanced disdainfully at the presiding judge, William Hughes, and looked disdainfully at the group of slaveholders in the courtroom.

There was no trace of regret on his face, only determination and determination. His body is tall and straight, like a solid rock on the seashore, not afraid of strong winds and waves.

The prosecution lawyer stood up first and began to state the charges against John Brown in a sonorous voice. The prosecution lawyer was none other than Virginia’s current state speaker, Charles J. Phillips.

Charles J. Phillips accused John Brown of treason, murder, and other felonies and demanded a harsh sentence.

As for John Brown’s defense attorney, because he was assigned a lawyer by the Virginia authorities, the defense attorney benefited from the Virginia authorities by remaining silent and giving up his right to defend John Brown.

Soon, the prosecution lawyer Charles J. Phillips showed the irrefutable evidence of John Brown's crime in court.

These irrefutable evidences are nothing more than the weapons used by John Brown when he attacked Habers Ferry, the manor owners near Habers Ferry, and the civilians who were accidentally injured by John Brown during the attack, as well as the families of the civilians who were accidentally killed.

These people tearfully accused John Brown of the crimes he committed against them in Harpers Ferry, and asked the court to give John Brown a fair sentence to comfort the victims.

William Hughes had an undisguised smile on his face, and his voice echoed in the courtroom: "John Brown, you and your accomplices are now charged with conspiracy, murder, kidnapping, and vandalism. Order crimes and attacks on government facilities. What is your defense against being charged with treason?"

"It's okay to add guilt. If the court allows it, I have a few words to say." John Brown's face was as calm as water. He had long put aside the troubles and smiled calmly.

The leaders of the slave owners in the court heard this and began to whisper to each other. John Brown was facing several serious charges, and since he was their man both inside and outside the court, there was no way he could escape the death penalty.

For a dying man, these slave owners generously decided to give him a chance to speak to show their tolerance.

"After deliberation, this court has decided to give you an opportunity to defend yourself." William Hughes announced.

“First of all, I deny all accusations except what I have always admitted, namely, that I had a plan to free the slaves.

I do intend to eliminate slavery altogether. As I had done the winter before last, when I went to Missouri, where I took away the slaves without firing a shot, and finally settled them in the North or in Canada. I plan to expand the scope of this operation. That's all I want to do. I have never attempted murder, treason, destruction of private property, or encouraged or incited slaves to rebel or riot.

I have another objection, that is, it is unfair for me to be punished like this. The facts I admitted in court have been fairly well established, and I admire the truth and fairness of most of the facts given by the witnesses.

But what if I act on behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called big shots, or on behalf of their friends—whether their parents, brothers, sisters, wives, children, or any of them? All will be well for the benefit of any man, and therefore the suffering and sacrifice which I have suffered in this matter. Everyone in this court believed that my behavior was not only unpunishable but worthy of reward. "

John Brown admitted all charges except freeing the slaves, and believed that the reason why he was now being sent to a Virginia court to suffer an unfair trial was simply because he did not side with the American powerful. The action did not receive the support and permission of the northern dignitaries.

Assuming that he is on the side of the American elite, or even that he is an American elite, his actions will not be punished or judged, but will be rewarded.

"You are being tried in court today, not because of your humble background or wealth, but because you have committed a serious crime." William Hughes interrupted John Brown, "You are still stubborn and unrepentant. , you are really hopeless!”

"Are you Christians?" John Brown glanced at the scriptures in front of William Hughes and said.

"Yes, I am a Baptist." William Hughes said impatiently. He did not expect that the country bumpkin in the dock could be so eloquent. He now regretted speaking to the country bumpkin to defend himself. s right.

"I am a Puritan, and since you are also Christians, I think this court also recognizes that God's law is valid." John Brown pointed to the scripture in front of William Hughes and said.

"I see here a book that you guys have kissed. I think it's the Bible or at least the New Testament. I'm a person who doesn't like to read. This is one of the few books I've read or listened to. , it taught me: I should treat others how I want others to treat me; it also taught me: remember the people in prison as if I were imprisoned with them.

I strive to live by this precept. I was too young to understand that God could show favoritism. I believe that what I have been doing frankly for God's poor people is not wrong but right.

Now, in this nation of slaves, millions are deprived of their rights by evil, cruel, and unjust laws, if deemed necessary. I should sacrifice my life for the purpose of implementing justice, and shed my blood, the blood of my children, and the blood of millions of people together to resist these cruel injustices and awaken the ignorant people. "

"This is a fair court! The laws of this state have always been fair! All the citizens of this state have always been enlightened!" Charles J. Phillips refuted John Brown, "John Brown, you are here to make trouble for our court. What is your intention in putting the Bible above the laws of this state? Presiding judge! I request that the defendant’s right to defend himself be taken back!”

"Please let me finish my last words. Do the Dukes of Virginia still fear the words of a dying man?" John Brown straightened his back and said loudly.

"I am completely satisfied with the treatment I received at this trial. Taking into account various practical reasons, this trial was more lenient than I expected.

but! I don't think I'm guilty of anything. I have said from the beginning what is my intention and what is not my intention. It never occurred to me to destroy other people's lives, to commit treason, to incite slave rebellion, or to start a general insurrection. I have never encouraged anyone to do this, but have always discouraged any such thought.

Please also allow me to say something that people who are related to me have said.

I heard some of them say that I seduced them into joining forces with me, but the opposite was true. I say this not to hurt others, but because I feel deeply sorry for their weakness. Not one of them has joined me voluntarily, and most of them have joined me at their own expense. Many of them I had never met or spoken to until the day they came to me, and that is for the purposes I have stated.

Now, I have finished my words. "

When John Brown finished speaking, there was silence in the courtroom.

The slave owners in the court looked at this thin man with complicated eyes, including hatred and admiration.

However, these complex emotions could not affect the outcome of John Brown's trial. In the end, John Brown was still sentenced to hanging, which was scheduled to be executed within a month.

It wasn't because of the generosity of Virginia's leading slaveowners in allowing John Brown to live an extra month. But Virginia law stipulates that the death penalty can only be carried out one month after the outcome of the trial is announced.

If the law allowed it, these slave-owning leaders in Virginia would not hesitate to execute John Brown immediately.

Lincoln, who was waiting outside the court for the outcome of the trial, was heartbroken when he learned of the expected result. He bluntly pointed out that the unfair trial of John Brown by the Virginia authorities was an unprecedented shame in the American judiciary!

Virginia authorities refused to grant John Brown even the most rudimentary procedural justice.

April 7, 1860, was a day with clear skies and gentle winds.

In the Virginia State Prison in Richmond, reporters from southern newspapers and a few reporters from western newspapers had already set up cameras in front of the prison's gallows, preparing to record this precious and cruel moment.

Considering John Brown's influence and in order to cause unnecessary trouble, the Virginia authorities did not choose to execute John Brown in the square or market place, but executed John Brown near the prison.

Even so, many people chose to come to the execution ground in Richmond Prison to watch the execution.

John's wrists were tied tightly behind his back, and his steps were a little heavy, but his eyes remained firm. He walked to the execution stage without fear. Beside John Brown, the guards were on guard, ready to respond to any unexpected situation.

Since northerners have been refused to watch this execution, the onlookers who came to the execution ground to watch this execution were all southerners and a few westerners. The onlookers looked at the martyr in different ways. Some of them looked at the martyr in different ways. Some are disgust and anger, some are admiration and sympathy.

Soon, the executioner in charge of the execution took action and put the noose around John Brown's neck.

John Brown closed his eyes calmly and prayed silently in his heart. His thoughts were flying, recalling his life and the past hard years of fighting for freedom and liberating slaves. It seemed that all these past events happened yesterday.

The gallows began to slowly lower, the ropes were tightened, and John Brown's body hung in mid-air. For a moment, silence enveloped the execution site, which was very quiet except for the sound of the wind rustling the Stars and Stripes behind the execution site.

Collins, the chief photographer of "The Daily Californian", pressed the shutter and captured John Brown's face, which remained calm and showed no trace of fear when he was dying. I couldn't help but sigh in my heart: "What a man."