The Harper's Ferry Tragedy.

Newspaper Title

State Gazette

Publication Date

11-5-1859

Publication Place

Austin, Texas

Event Topic

John Brown

Political Party

Democratic

Region

slave state

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Quote

The bloody tragedy which we have endeavored to relate in our columns is at least some evidence of the influence of Black Republican agitation upon the masses of the Northern people.

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Full Text Transcription

The bloody tragedy which we haveendeavored to relate in our columns is at leastsome evidence of the influence of BlackRepublican agitation upon the masses ofthe Northern people. The day is evidentlyat hand when in the feverish and diseasedstate of the public mind of that region onthe subject of slavery, almost any outrageupon our peace and security, may beperpetrated, which it is in the power ofmadness and folly to conceive. How manyreligious fanatics as well as political demagogueshave been connected with this affairwe cannot tell. The disclosures already madeshow that the ring-leader Brown, wassupported with money as well as men andweapons of war by the Black Republicans.If this imperfect organization and reckless adventure could command liberal pecuniaryaid and followers, what may yet not be donewhen under say some secret society, battalionafter battalion shall be raised and bespeedily despatched into the heart ofMarylandand Virginia? And may there notbe plenty of Peter the Hermits, and Godefroys to enter the lists of bloody crusadersagainst slavery.

The North is active. Her whole peopleare being mesmerised in their politicalforums, in their churches, at their prayermeetings, in their schools, at their socialgatherings, in their literary societies --everywhere by the evil genius of BlackRepublicanism. The bronze statue of Websterwas no sooner inaugurated inMassachusetts,than an organization of New Englandpreachers took place, and a premium of$100 was offered for the best tract againstslavery published. These men whom SamHouston dignified as the Vicegerents ofHeaven, are by no means regarded withcontempt by the leading citizens of thatUnited StatesSenator arose on that day of their bandingtogether to co-operate for the purpose ofcrushing out slavery in these SouthernStates. This was no less than the Hon.Henry Wilson, the successor of DanielWebster, and who is destined to play aninfamous role for posterity. Let us seewhat he said. We give an extract fromhis speech as reported in the New YorkTribune --

"He (Wilson) looked upon Slavery as the terriblemonster it is. The day was not long distant,he trusted, that the Church and the countrygenerally would hold to the sentiment that man cannot hold property in his fellow man. What iswanted in this country is a deep abhorence ofSlavery -- a sentiment that shall in time extinguishthe terrible evil. He invoked the aid of the moneyof the land, but what was most wanted was anenlightened Christian sentiment against Slavery.The great duty which we all owe in the FreeStates is to blot out all enactments against Freedom.The first great battle and the first greatvictory would be to prevent the existence of Slavery in the Territories. The FederalGovernment might not be able to abolish Slavery inthe States, but the great thing to be done was toprevent its extension.

"Therefore he would say first give to coloredmen all the rights we enjoy; next make our Territoriesfree; and next, wipe out all enactments inthe States against Freedom. He believed that ifthese things were done, the great objects for whichthis Society is organized would be accomplished.If Christian men were true to themselves, a sentimentwould be spread over the nation thatwould eventuate in the releasing of four millionsof human beings now in bondage in the country.He trusted the Society would go on in their goodwork, and begged them to be of good courage. -- The Anti-Slavery cause twenty years ago was almosthopeless. Now its power is immense.--Whether the church comes to the aid of the Anti-Slaverycause or not, it would go on. Gen.Wilson said he welcomed this organization; he shouldlook toward it with hope. The best men in thecountry would bid them God speed in their efforts.He referred to the time, fifteen years ago, when,in conjunction with this pastor, the Rev. Mr. Hunt,he had endeavored to procure such a christianorganization as this without success. When,therefore, he first heard of its institution, he wasready at once to bid it God speed as being the very legitimate agency above all others to accomplishthe Christian work of abolishing Slavery."

These men thus eulogised, are the sameclass sustained by Sam Houston in theirimpudent demands on the Congress of theUnited States. Wilson says -- What iswanted, is a deep abhorance of slavery -- asentiment that will in time extinguish theevil. Well, the foray on our Southernfrontier springs from this deep abhorrenceof slavery -- it is the outbursting of amisguided feeling of hostility against men ofthe same race and religion, merely becauseof our slave institution. Hostility is thefirst natural effect of abhorrence of slavery. A Senator, or a clergyman may talk of peaceful hostility, but all who know thenature of the American people also knowthat it never can long remain peaceful.

In the New York Tribune we find anadvertisement of a landed company owningmillions of acres in Virginia, Tennessee &c.,which boldly proclaims it as its design,to colonize abolitionists in these States.

Hinton R. Helper the notoriousabolitionist who we believe was compelled toleave North Carolina some two years ago,is now advertising for 40,000 acres of landin the western part of that State.

It is not long since that Thayer attempted to settle a colony of abolitionistsin Western Virginia.

Every evidence of intense excitementagainst the Southern institutions is beforeus. In all the elections in the free States,the Black Republicans are triumphant.--The Republican Governor elected in Iowa,declared that he would never aid in arrestinga fugitive slave. The Black Republicancandidate for Supreme Judge of Ohiois pledged against the decision in the DredScott case. The Maine Legislature hadmade it a criminal offence to aid in capturinga fugitive slave. treason againstthe Constitution of the United States andbeen committed, and these elections havebeen tests of the adherence of the peoplein their support, and they have sanctionedthem with a cordiality which nevertranspired before.

Well what are we to do? Are we toapostatise to such men as Sam Houston whohave by their truckling to the North, contributedmore than any party to the presentstate of things. Are we to endorse him,after all the Black Republican papers in the land have rejoiced over his election?Are we to abandon the citadel of Staterights as enunciated in the Democraticplatform laid down in Cincinnati, Waco andHouston? Are we to join Winter Davis, Bates of Wisconsin, and Bell of Tennessee,in a compromise with these Black Republicans?Or are we to stand by that old warworn flag of Democracy, and show tothe North a bold and united front? Showthem that we are alive to the rights of theSouth; that we hold our slave institutionas one of the bulwarks of our social fabric,and any attempt to destroy it as the signalfor the uprising of our whole people in itsdefence. Can we sleep at our posts? Canwe give countenance and support to themen of the South who have been tried andfound wanting? Can we suffer such mento be put on guard? Never! never! TheDemocratic party of Texas has been beatenbut her platform still hangs upon the outerwalls of the citadel, and in another contestit will fly again over our proud party: Wenever surrender.

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Entered by James Cash. Proofed by Lloyd Benson

Identifier

txsgjb591105a

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The Harper's Ferry Tragedy.

The bloody tragedy which we have endeavored to relate in our columns is at least some evidence of the influence of Black Republican agitation upon the masses of the Northern people.