Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/197

 JOHN BROWN property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection. I have another objection; and that is, it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly proved (for I admire the truthfulness and candor of the great- er portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case) — had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so- called great, or in behalf of any of their friends — either father, mother, brother, sister, vn£% or children, or any of that class — and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment. This court acknowledges, as I suppose, the validity of the law of God. I see a book kissed here which I suppose to be the Bible, or at least the New Testament. That teaches me that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them. It teaches me, further, to '* remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them. ' * I endeavored to act up to that instruction. I say I am yet too young to un- derstand that God is any respecter of persons. I believe that to have interfered as I have done — as I have always freely admitted I have done — ^in behalf of His despised poor was not wrong, but right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of 187