Page:The Natick resolution, or, resistance to slaveholders.djvu/23

Rh and he felt sure that no more heroic or brighter name would be found in history, than that of old Osawatomie Brown. Brown, with the Constitution of the United States in one hand, and the Golden Rule in the other, marched straight forward and attacked the Slave Power, and he was to be honored for it."

, of Hampden, said he did not believe, as a lawyer, that John Brown had been legally convicted of treason or murder. While he did not wish to go into the slave States to run off slaves himself, yet he did not object to others doing it in any way they saw fit."

, of Franklin, said he was a States' Rights man, in the fullest sense; but he thought it would be as perfectly proper to adjourn out of sympathy for Brown as for any other great and good man; and he considered John Brown one of the noblest works of God. If Brown had done wrong, it was an error of the head, and not of the heart. He held the Governor of Virginia guilty of wilful murder, and this act would be the hanging of the Governor and of the whole State of Virginia. Brown had not been proved guilty."

On this second motion, the vote was—yeas, 12; nays, 20. Such was the spirit and action of the Senate. But one spoke condemnatory of Brown and his deeds. Remember, the Senate is almost entirely Republican. All who spoke in favor of Brown were such. Read the above, and then tell the slaveholders that Republicans have no sympathy with Brown, and no responsibility for his deeds! What will they think of you? Would that Republicans would avow their work and glory in it; for this is the richest fruit they have ever borne,—so far as it is theirs.

In the House, at the opening of the session,, of Nantucket,—moved "That, for the great respect we have for the truthfulness and faith that John Brown has in man and his religion, and the strong sympathy for the love of liberty (the avowed principle of Massachusetts) for which he is this day to die, this House do now adjourn."

, of Middleboro', was unwilling to say John Brown was right, though he respected him, and thought his motives good."