Page:Report of Senate Select Committee on the Invasion of Harper's Ferry.pdf/12

12 law, I uniformly arm the slave; I uniformly tell him to defend his life and his liberty; I uniformly teach him his rights, so far as I can."

As a further exposition of the views entertained by those devotees to the so-styled "cause of freedom," the committee refer to the evidence of George L. Stearns, at page 240. This gentleman, although not a lecturer, was, as shown by his testimony, one of the most active and successful workers in that "cause." For his views as to the legitimate use of money contributed to this "cause," see page 242, where he states:

"From first to last, I understood John Brown to be a man who was opposed to slavery, and, as such, that he would take every opportunity to free slaves where he could; I did not know in what way; I only knew that from the fact of his having done it in Missouri in the instance referred to; I furnished him with money because I considered him as one who would be of use in case such troubles arose as had arisen previously in Kansas; that was my object in furnishing the money; I did not ask him what he was to do with it, nor did I suppose he would do anything that I should disapprove."

To the question "Do you disapprove of such a transaction as that at Harper's Ferry," he answered:

"I should have disapproved of it if I had known of it; but I have since changed my opinion; I believe John Brown to be the representative man of this century, as Washington was of the last—the Harper's Ferry affair, and the capacity shown by the Italians for self-government, the great events of this age. One will free Europe, and the other America."

And so in the testimony of Samuel G. Howe, a physician of Boston. At page 166, speaking of Brown, he says:

"I contributed to his aid at various times.

"Question. His aid in what way?

"Answer. In the same way that I contributed to the aid of other anti-slavery men; men who give up their occupations, their industry, to write papers or to deliver lectures, or otherwise to propagate anti-slavery sentiments. I give as much money every year as I can possibly afford. I am in the habit of contributing in that way."

And at page 167:

"Question. Will you state what you mean by that phrase 'contributing for the promotion of anti-slavery sentiments?' What is the meaning of that idea?

"Answer. In the same way that I would promote the Gospel among the heathens; I cannot precisely say what. The means are various—lectures, writing, talking, discussing the matter.

"Question. What ends are to be attained by promoting that anti-slavery sentiment? What is the object in view?

"Answer. The promotion of freedom among men; the same object as the fathers in the revolution.

"Question. Was one of its objects the means of attaining the freedom of the African slaves held in this country?

"Answer. That would be the natural and desired result.

"Question. Was that one of the ends to be attained by promoting this anti-slavery sentiment by lecturing and otherwise?