byHenryDavidThoreau[ReadtothecitizensofConcord，Mass。，SundayEvening，October30，1859。]
Itrustthatyouwillpardonmeforbeinghere。Idonotwishtoforcemythoughtsuponyou，butIfeelforcedmyself。LittleasI
knowofCaptainBrown，Iwouldfaindomyparttocorrectthetoneandthestatementsofthenewspapers，andofmycountrymengenerally，respectinghischaracterandactions。Itcostsusnothingtobejust。Wecanatleastexpressoursympathywith，andadmirationof，himandhiscompanions，andthatiswhatInowproposetodo。
First，astohishistory。Iwillendeavortoomit，asmuchaspossible，whatyouhavealreadyread。Ineednotdescribehispersontoyou，forprobablymostofyouhaveseenandwillnotsoonforgethim。Iamtoldthathisgrandfather，JohnBrown，wasanofficerintheRevolution；thathehimselfwasborninConnecticutaboutthebeginningofthiscentury，butearlywentwithhisfathertoOhio。Iheardhimsaythathisfatherwasacontractorwhofurnishedbeeftothearmythere，inthewarof1812；thatheaccompaniedhimtothecamp，andassistedhiminthatemployment，seeingagooddealofmilitarylife，——more，perhaps，thanifhehadbeenasoldier；forhewasoftenpresentatthecouncilsoftheofficers。Especially，helearnedbyexperiencehowarmiesaresuppliedandmaintainedinthefield，——aworkwhich，heobserved，requiresatleastasmuchexperienceandskillastoleadtheminbattle。Hesaidthatfewpersonshadanyconceptionofthecost，eventhepecuniarycost，offiringasinglebulletinwar。Hesawenough，atanyrate，todisgusthimwithamilitarylife；indeed，toexciteinhisagreatabhorrenceofit；somuchso，thatthoughhewastemptedbytheofferofsomepettyofficeinthearmy，whenhewasabouteighteen，henotonlydeclinedthat，buthealsorefusedtotrainwhenwarned，andwasfinedforit。Hethenresolvedthathewouldneverhaveanythingtodowithanywar，unlessitwereawarforliberty。
WhenthetroublesinKansasbegan，hesentseveralofhissonsthithertostrengthenthepartyoftheFreeStatemen，fittingthemoutwithsuchweaponsashehad；tellingthemthatifthetroublesshouldincrease，andthereshouldbeneedofhis，hewouldfollow，toassistthemwithhishandandcounsel。This，asyouallknow，hesoonafterdid；anditwasthroughhisagency，farmorethananyother’s，thatKansaswasmadefree。
Forapartofhislifehewasasurveyor，andatonetimehewasengagedinwool—growing，andhewenttoEuropeasanagentaboutthatbusiness。There，aseverywhere，hehadhiseyesabouthim，andmademanyoriginalobservations。Hesaid，forinstance，thathesawwhythesoilofEnglandwassorich，andthatofGermany（Ithinkitwas）sopoor，andhethoughtofwritingtosomeofthecrownedheadsaboutit。ItwasbecauseinEnglandthepeasantryliveonthesoilwhichtheycultivate，butinGermanytheyaregatheredintovillages，atnight。Itisapitythathedidnotmakeabookofhisobservations。
Ishouldsaythathewasanold—fashionedmaninrespectfortheConstitution，andhisfaithinthepermanenceofthisUnion。Slaveryhedeemedtobewhollyopposedtothese，andhewasitsdeterminedfoe。
HewasbydescentandbirthaNewEnglandfarmer，amanofgreatcommon—sense，deliberateandpracticalasthatclassis，andtenfoldmoreso。HewaslikethebestofthosewhostoodatConcordBridgeonce，onLexingtonCommon，andonBunkerHill，onlyhewasfirmerandhigherprincipledthananythatIhavechancedtohearofasthere。Itwasnoabolitionlecturerthatconvertedhim。EthanAllenandStark，withwhomhemayinsomerespectsbecompared，wererangersinalowerandlessimportantfield。Theycouldbravelyfacetheircountry’sfoes，buthehadthecouragetofacehiscountryherself，whenshewasinthewrong。AWesternwritersays，toaccountforhisescapefromsomanyperils，thathewasconcealedundera"ruralexterior"；asif，inthatprairieland，aheroshould，bygoodrights，wearacitizen’sdressonly。
HedidnotgotothecollegecalledHarvard，goodoldAlmaMaterassheis。Hewasnotfedonthepapthatistherefurnished。Ashephrasedit，"Iknownomoreofgrammarthanoneofyourcalves。"
ButhewenttothegreatuniversityoftheWest，wherehesedulouslypursuedthestudyofLiberty，forwhichhehadearlybetrayedafondness，andhavingtakenmanydegrees，hefinallycommencedthepublicpracticeofHumanityinKansas，asyouallknow。Suchwerehishumanitiesandnotanystudyofgrammar。HewouldhaveleftaGreekaccentslantingthewrongway，andrightedupafallingman。
Hewasoneofthatclassofwhomwehearagreatdeal，but，forthemostpart，seenothingatall，——thePuritans。Itwouldbeinvaintokillhim。HediedlatelyinthetimeofCromwell，buthereappearedhere。Whyshouldhenot？SomeofthePuritanstockaresaidtohavecomeoverandsettledinNewEngland。Theywereaclassthatdidsomethingelsethancelebratetheirforefathers’
day，andeatparchedcorninremembranceofthattime。TheywereneitherDemocratsnorRepublicans，butmenofsimplehabits，straightforward，prayerful；notthinkingmuchofrulerswhodidnotfearGod，notmakingmanycompromises，norseekingafteravailablecandidates。
"Inhiscamp，"asonehasrecentlywritten，andasIhavemyselfheardhimstate，"hepermittednoprofanity；nomanofloosemoralswassufferedtoremainthere，unless，indeed，asaprisonerofwar。
’Iwouldrather，’saidhe，’havethesmall—pox，yellow—fever，andcholera，alltogetherinmycamp，thanamanwithoutprinciple……
Itisamistake，sir，thatourpeoplemake，whentheythinkthatbulliesarethebestfighters，orthattheyarethefitmentoopposetheseSoutherners。Givememenofgoodprinciples，——God—fearingmen，——menwhorespectthemselves，andwithadozenofthemIwillopposeanyhundredsuchmenastheseBufordruffians。’"Hesaidthatifoneofferedhimselftobeasoldierunderhim，whowasforwardtotellwhathecouldorwoulddo，ifhecouldonlygetsightoftheenemy，hehadbutlittleconfidenceinhim。
Hewasneverabletofindmorethanascoreorsoofrecruitswhomhewouldaccept，andonlyaboutadozen，amongthemhissons，inwhomhehadperfectfaith。Whenhewashere，someyearsago，heshowedtoafewalittlemanuscriptbook，——his"orderlybook"I
thinkhecalledit，——containingthenamesofhiscompanyinKansas，andtherulesbywhichtheyboundthemselves；andhestatedthatseveralofthemhadalreadysealedthecontractwiththeirblood。
Whensomeoneremarkedthat，withtheadditionofachaplain，itwouldhavebeenaperfectCromwelliantroop，heobservedthathewouldhavebeengladtoaddachaplaintothelist，ifhecouldhavefoundonewhocouldfillthatofficeworthily。ItiseasyenoughtofindonefortheUnitedStatesarmy。Ibelievethathehadprayersinhiscampmorningandevening，nevertheless。
HewasamanofSpartanhabits，andatsixtywasscrupulousabouthisdietatyourtable，excusinghimselfbysayingthathemusteatsparinglyandfarehard，asbecameasoldier，oronewhowasfittinghimselffordifficultenterprises，alifeofexposure。
Amanofrarecommon—senseanddirectnessofspeech，asofaction；
atranscendentalistaboveall，amanofideasandprinciples，——thatwaswhatdistinguishedhim。Notyieldingtoawhimortransientimpulse，butcarryingoutthepurposeofalife。Inoticedthathedidnotoverstateanything，butspokewithinbounds。Iremember，particularly，how，inhisspeechhere，hereferredtowhathisfamilyhadsufferedinKansas，withoutevergivingtheleastventtohispent—upfire。Itwasavolcanowithanordinarychimney—flue。
AlsoreferringtothedeedsofcertainBorderRuffians，hesaid，rapidlyparingawayhisspeech，likeanexperiencedsoldier，keepingareserveofforceandmeaning，"Theyhadaperfectrighttobehung。"Hewasnotintheleastarhetorician，wasnottalkingtoBuncombeorhisconstituentsanywhere，hadnoneedtoinventanythingbuttotellthesimpletruth，andcommunicatehisownresolution；thereforeheappearedincomparablystrong，andeloquenceinCongressandelsewhereseemedtomeatadiscount。ItwaslikethespeechesofCromwellcomparedwiththoseofanordinaryking。
Asforhistactandprudence，Iwillmerelysay，thatatatimewhenscarcelyamanfromtheFreeStateswasabletoreachKansasbyanydirectroute，atleastwithouthavinghisarmstakenfromhim，he，carryingwhatimperfectgunsandotherweaponshecouldcollect，openlyandslowlydroveanox—cartthroughMissouri，apparentlyinthecapacityofasurveyor，withhissurveyingcompassexposedinit，andsopassedunsuspected，andhadampleopportunitytolearnthedesignsoftheenemy。Forsometimeafterhisarrivalhestillfollowedthesameprofession。When，forinstance，hesawaknotoftheruffiansontheprairie，discussing，ofcourse，thesingletopicwhichthenoccupiedtheirminds，hewould，perhaps，takehiscompassandoneofhissons，andproceedtorunanimaginarylinerightthroughtheveryspotonwhichthatconclavehadassembled，andwhenhecameuptothem，hewouldnaturallypauseandhavesometalkwiththem，learningtheirnews，and，atlast，alltheirplansperfectly；andhavingthuscompletedhisrealsurveyhewouldresumehisimaginaryone，andrunonhislinetillhewasoutofsight。
WhenIexpressedsurprisethathecouldliveinKansasatall，withapricesetuponhishead，andsolargeanumber，includingtheauthorities，exasperatedagainsthim，heaccountedforitbysaying，"ItisperfectlywellunderstoodthatIwillnotbetaken。"
Muchofthetimeforsomeyearshehashadtoskulkinswamps，sufferingfrompovertyandfromsickness，whichwastheconsequenceofexposure，befriendedonlybyIndiansandafewwhites。Butthoughitmightbeknownthathewaslurkinginaparticularswamp，hisfoescommonlydidnotcaretogoinafterhim。HecouldevencomeoutintoatownwherethereweremoreBorderRuffiansthanFreeStatemen，andtransactsomebusiness，withoutdelayinglong，andyetnotbemolested；for，saidhe，"Nolittlehandfulofmenwerewillingtoundertakeit，andalargebodycouldnotbegottogetherinseason。"
Asforhisrecentfailure，wedonotknowthefactsaboutit。Itwasevidentlyfarfrombeingawildanddesperateattempt。Hisenemy，Mr。Vallandigham，iscompelledtosay，that"itwasamongthebestplannedexecutedconspiraciesthateverfailed。"
Nottomentionhisothersuccesses，wasitafailure，ordiditshowawantofgoodmanagement，todeliverfrombondageadozenhumanbeings，andwalkoffwiththembybroaddaylight，forweeksifnotmonths，ataleisurelypace，throughoneStateafteranother，forhalfthelengthoftheNorth，conspicuoustoallparties，withapricesetuponhishead，goingintoacourt—roomonhiswayandtellingwhathehaddone，thusconvincingMissourithatitwasnotprofitabletotrytoholdslavesinhisneighborhood？——andthis，notbecausethegovernmentmenialswerelenient，butbecausetheywereafraidofhim。
Yethedidnotattributehissuccess，foolishly，to"hisstar，"
ortoanymagic。Hesaid，truly，thatthereasonwhysuchgreatlysuperiornumbersquailedbeforehimwas，asoneofhisprisonersconfessed，becausetheylackedacause，——akindofarmorwhichheandhispartyneverlacked。Whenthetimecame，fewmenwerefoundwillingtolaydowntheirlivesindefenceofwhattheyknewtobewrong；theydidnotlikethatthisshouldbetheirlastactinthisworld。
Buttomakehastetohislastact，anditseffects。
Thenewspapersseemtoignore，orperhapsarereallyignorantofthefact，thatthereareatleastasmanyastwoorthreeindividualstoatownthroughouttheNorthwhothinkmuchasthepresentspeakerdoesabouthimandhisenterprise。Idonothesitatetosaythattheyareanimportantandgrowingparty。Weaspiretobesomethingmorethanstupidandtimidchattels，pretendingtoreadhistoryandourBibles，butdesecratingeveryhouseandeverydaywebreathein。Perhapsanxiouspoliticiansmayprovethatonlyseventeenwhitemenandfivenegroeswereconcernedinthelateenterprise；
buttheirveryanxietytoprovethismightsuggesttothemselvesthatallisnottold。Whydotheystilldodgethetruth？Theyaresoanxiousbecauseofadimconsciousnessofthefact，whichtheydonotdistinctlyface，thatatleastamillionofthefreeinhabitantsoftheUnitedStateswouldhaverejoicedifithadsucceeded。Theyatmostonlycriticisethetactics。Thoughwewearnocrape，thethoughtofthatman’spositionandprobablefateisspoilingmanyaman’sdayhereattheNorthforotherthinking。
Ifanyonewhohasseenhimherecanpursuesuccessfullyanyothertrainofthought，Idonotknowwhatheismadeof。Ifthereisanysuchwhogetshisusualallowanceofsleep，Iwillwarranthimtofatteneasilyunderanycircumstanceswhichdonottouchhisbodyorpurse。Iputapieceofpaperandapencilundermypillow，andwhenIcouldnotsleep，Iwroteinthedark。
Onthewhole，myrespectformyfellow—men，exceptasonemayoutweighamillion，isnotbeingincreasedthesedays。Ihavenoticedthecold—bloodedwayinwhichnewspaperwritersandmengenerallyspeakofthisevent，asifanordinarymalefactor，thoughoneofunusual"pluck，"——astheGovernorofVirginiaisreportedtohavesaid，usingthelanguageofthecock—pit，"thegamestmanheeversaw，"——hadbeencaught，andwereabouttobehung。Hewasnotdreamingofhisfoeswhenthegovernorthoughthelookedsobrave。ItturnswhatsweetnessIhavetogall，tohear，orhearof，theremarksofsomeofmyneighbors。Whenweheardatfirstthathewasdead，oneofmytownsmenobservedthat"hediedasthefooldieth"；which，pardonme，foraninstantsuggestedalikenessinhimdyingtomyneighborliving。Others，craven—hearted，saiddisparagingly，that"hethrewhislifeaway，"becauseheresistedthegovernment。Whichwayhavetheythrowntheirlives，pray？——suchaswouldpraiseamanforattackingsinglyanordinarybandofthievesormurderers。I
hearanotherask，Yankee—like，"Whatwillhegainbyit？"asifheexpectedtofillhispocketsbythisenterprise。Suchaonehasnoideaofgainbutinthisworldlysense。Ifitdoesnotleadtoa"surprise"party，ifhedoesnotgetanewpairofboots，oravoteofthanks，itmustbeafailure。"Buthewon’tgainanythingbyit。"Well，no，Idon’tsupposehecouldgetfour—and—sixpenceadayforbeinghung，taketheyearround；butthenhestandsachancetosaveaconsiderablepartofhissoul，——andsuchasoul！——whenyoudonot。Nodoubtyoucangetmoreinyourmarketforaquartofmilkthanforaquartofblood，butthatisnotthemarketthatheroescarrytheirbloodto。
Suchdonotknowthatliketheseedisthefruit，andthat，inthemoralworld，whengoodseedisplanted，goodfruitisinevitable，anddoesnotdependonourwateringandcultivating；thatwhenyouplant，orbury，aheroinhisfield，acropofheroesissuretospringup。Thisisaseedofsuchforceandvitality，thatitdoesnotaskourleavetogerminate。
ThemomentarychargeatBalaclava，inobediencetoablunderingcommand，provingwhataperfectmachinethesoldieris，has，properlyenough，beencelebratedbyapoetlaureate；butthesteady，andforthemostpartsuccessful，chargeofthisman，forsomeyears，againstthelegionsofSlavery，inobediencetoaninfinitelyhighercommand，isasmuchmorememorablethanthat，asanintelligentandconscientiousmanissuperiortoamachine。Doyouthinkthatthatwillgounsung？
"Servedhimright，"——"Adangerousman，"——"Heisundoubtedlyinsane。"
Sotheyproceedtolivetheirsane，andwise，andaltogetheradmirablelives，readingtheirPlutarchalittle，butchieflypausingatthatfeatofPutnam，whowasletdownintoawolf’sden；andinthiswisetheynourishthemselvesforbraveandpatrioticdeedssometimeorother。TheTractSocietycouldaffordtoprintthatstoryofPutnam。Youmightopenthedistrictschoolswiththereadingofit，forthereisnothingaboutSlaveryortheChurchinit；unlessitoccurstothereaderthatsomepastorsarewolvesinsheep’sclothing。"TheAmericanBoardofCommissionersforForeignMissions"
even，mightdaretoprotestagainstthatwolf。Ihaveheardofboards，andofAmericanboards，butitchancesthatIneverheardofthisparticularlumbertilllately。AndyetIhearofNorthernmen，andwomen，andchildren，byfamilies，buyinga"lifemembership"
insuchsocietiesasthese。Alife—membershipinthegrave！Youcangetburiedcheaperthanthat。
Ourfoesareinourmidstandallaboutus。Thereishardlyahousebutisdividedagainstitself，forourfoeistheallbutuniversalwoodennessofbothheadandheart，thewantofvitalityinman，whichistheeffectofourvice；andhencearebegottenfear，superstition，bigotry，persecution，andslaveryofallkinds。
Wearemerefigureheadsuponahulk，withliversintheplaceofhearts。Thecurseistheworshipofidols，whichatlengthchangestheworshipperintoastoneimagehimself；andtheNew—EnglanderisjustasmuchanidolaterastheHindoo。Thismanwasanexception，forhedidnotsetupevenapoliticalgravenimagebetweenhimandhisGod。
AchurchthatcanneverhavedonewithexcommunicatingChristwhileitexists！Awaywithyourbroadandflatchurches，andyournarrowandtallchurches！Takeastepforward，andinventanewstyleofout—houses。Inventasaltthatwillsaveyou，anddefendournostrils。
ThemodernChristianisamanwhohasconsentedtosayalltheprayersintheliturgy，providedyouwilllethimgostraighttobedandsleepquietlyafterward。Allhisprayersbeginwith"NowIlaymedowntosleep，"andheisforeverlookingforwardtothetimewhenheshallgotohis"longrest。"Hehasconsentedtoperformcertainold—establishedcharities，too，afterafashion，buthedoesnotwishtohearofanynew—fangledones；hedoesn’twishtohaveanysupplementaryarticlesaddedtothecontract，tofitittothepresenttime。HeshowsthewhitesofhiseyesontheSabbath，andtheblacksalltherestoftheweek。Theevilisnotmerelyastagnationofblood，butastagnationofspirit。Many，nodoubt，arewelldisposed，butsluggishbyconstitutionandbyhabit，andtheycannotconceiveofamanwhoisactuatedbyhighermotivesthantheyare。Accordinglytheypronouncethismaninsane，fortheyknowthattheycouldneveractashedoes，aslongastheyarethemselves。
Wedreamofforeigncountries，ofothertimesandracesofmen，placingthematadistanceinhistoryorspace；butletsomesignificanteventlikethepresentoccurinourmidst，andwediscover，often，thisdistanceandthisstrangenessbetweenusandournearestneighbors。TheyareourAustrias，andChinas，andSouthSeaIslands。
Ourcrowdedsocietybecomeswellspacedallatonce，cleanandhandsometotheeye，——acityofmagnificentdistances。Wediscoverwhyitwasthatwenevergotbeyondcomplimentsandsurfaceswiththembefore；webecomeawareofasmanyverstsbetweenusandthemastherearebetweenawanderingTartarandaChinesetown。Thethoughtfulmanbecomesahermitinthethoroughfaresofthemarket—place。Impassableseassuddenlyfindtheirlevelbetweenus，ordumbsteppesstretchthemselvesoutthere。Itisthedifferenceofconstitution，ofintelligence，andfaith，andnotstreamsandmountains，thatmakethetrueandimpassableboundariesbetweenindividualsandbetweenstates。Nonebutthelike—mindedcancomeplenipotentiarytoourcourt。
IreadallthenewspapersIcouldgetwithinaweekafterthisevent，andIdonotrememberinthemasingleexpressionofsympathyforthesemen。Ihavesinceseenonenoblestatement，inaBostonpaper，noteditorial。SomevoluminoussheetsdecidednottoprintthefullreportofBrown’swordstotheexclusionofothermatter。
ItwasasifapublishershouldrejectthemanuscriptoftheNewTestament，andprintWilson’slastspeech。Thesamejournalwhichcontainedthispregnantnews，waschieflyfilled，inparallelcolumns，withthereportsofthepoliticalconventionsthatwerebeingheld。Butthedescenttothemwastoosteep。Theyshouldhavebeensparedthiscontrast，——beenprintedinanextra，atleast。
Toturnfromthevoicesanddeedsofearnestmentothecacklingofpoliticalconventions！Office—seekersandspeech—makers，whodonotsomuchaslayanhonestegg，butweartheirbreastsbareuponaneggofchalk！Theirgreatgameisthegameofstraws，orratherthatuniversalaboriginalgameoftheplatter，atwhichtheIndianscriedhub，bub！Excludethereportsofreligiousandpoliticalconventions，andpublishthewordsofalivingman。
ButIobjectnotsomuchtowhattheyhaveomitted，astowhattheyhaveinserted。EventheLiberatorcalledit"amisguided，wild，andapparentlyinsane——effort。"Asfortheherdofnewspapersandmagazines，Idonotchancetoknowaneditorinthecountrywhowilldeliberatelyprintanythingwhichheknowswillultimatelyandpermanentlyreducethenumberofhissubscribers。Theydonotbelievethatitwouldbeexpedient。Howthencantheyprinttruth？
Ifwedonotsaypleasantthings，theyargue，nobodywillattendtous。Andsotheydolikesometravellingauctioneers，whosinganobscenesong，inordertodrawacrowdaroundthem。Republicaneditors，obligedtogettheirsentencesreadyforthemorningedition，andaccustomedtolookateverythingbythetwilightofpolitics，expressnoadmiration，nortruesorroweven，butcallthesemen"deludedfanatics，"——"mistakenmen，"——"insane，"or"crazed。"
Itsuggestswhatasanesetofeditorsweareblessedwith，not"mistakenmen"；whoknowverywellonwhichsidetheirbreadisbuttered，atleast。
Amandoesabraveandhumanedeed，andatonce，onallsides，wehearpeopleandpartiesdeclaring，"Ididn’tdoit，norcountenancehimtodoit，inanyconceivableway。Itcan’tbefairlyinferredfrommypastcareer。"I，forone，amnotinterestedtohearyoudefineyourposition。Idon’tknowthatIeverwas，orevershallbe。Ithinkitismereegotism，orimpertinentatthistime。Yeneedn’ttakesomuchpainstowashyourskirtsofhim。Nointelligentmanwilleverbeconvincedthathewasanycreatureofyours。Hewentandcame，ashehimselfinformsus，"undertheauspicesofJohnBrownandnobodyelse。"TheRepublicanpartydoesnotperceivehowmanyhisfailurewillmaketovotemorecorrectlythantheywouldhavethem。TheyhavecountedthevotesofPennsylvania&Co。，buttheyhavenotcorrectlycountedCaptainBrown’svote。Hehastakenthewindoutoftheirsails，——thelittlewindtheyhad，——andtheymayaswelllietoandrepair。
Whatthoughhedidnotbelongtoyourclique！Thoughyoumaynotapproveofhismethodorhisprinciples，recognizehismagnanimity。
Wouldyounotliketoclaimkindredshipwithhiminthat，thoughinnootherthingheislike，orlikely，toyou？Doyouthinkthatyouwouldloseyourreputationso？Whatyoulostatthespile，youwouldgainatthebung。
Iftheydonotmeanallthis，thentheydonotspeakthetruth，andsaywhattheymean。Theyaresimplyattheiroldtricksstill。
"Itwasalwaysconcededtohim，"saysonewhocallshimcrazy，"thathewasaconscientiousman，verymodestinhisdemeanor，apparentlyinoffensive，untilthesubjectofSlaverywasintroduced，whenhewouldexhibitafeelingofindignationunparalleled。"
Theslave—shipisonherway，crowdedwithitsdyingvictims；newcargoesarebeingaddedinmid—oceanasmallcrewofslaveholders，countenancedbyalargebodyofpassengers，issmotheringfourmillionsunderthehatches，andyetthepoliticianassertsthattheonlyproperwaybywhichdeliveranceistobeobtained，isby"thequietdiffusionofthesentimentsofhumanity，"withoutany"outbreak。"
Asifthesentimentsofhumanitywereeverfoundunaccompaniedbyitsdeeds，andyoucoulddispersethem，allfinishedtoorder，thepurearticle，aseasilyaswaterwithawatering—pot，andsolaythedust。WhatisthatthatIhearcastoverboard？Thebodiesofthedeadthathavefounddeliverance。Thatisthewayweare"diffusing"humanity，anditssentimentswithit。
Prominentandinfluentialeditors，accustomedtodealwithpoliticians，menofaninfinitelylowergrade，say，intheirignorance，thatheacted"ontheprincipleofrevenge。"Theydonotknowtheman。
Theymustenlargethemselvestoconceiveofhim。Ihavenodoubtthatthetimewillcomewhentheywillbegintoseehimashewas。Theyhavegottoconceiveofamanoffaithandofreligiousprinciple，andnotapoliticianoranIndian；ofamanwhodidnotwaittillhewaspersonallyinterferedwithorthwartedinsomeharmlessbusinessbeforehegavehislifetothecauseoftheoppressed。
IfWalkermaybeconsideredtherepresentativeoftheSouth，IwishIcouldsaythatBrownwastherepresentativeoftheNorth。Hewasasuperiorman。Hedidnotvaluehisbodilylifeincomparisonwithidealthings。Hedidnotrecognizeunjusthumanlaws，butresistedthemashewasbid。Foronceweareliftedoutofthetrivialnessanddustofpoliticsintotheregionoftruthandmanhood。NomaninAmericahaseverstoodupsopersistentlyandeffectivelyforthedignityofhumannature，knowinghimselfforaman，andtheequalofanyandallgovernments。InthatsensehewasthemostAmericanofusall。Heneedednobabblinglawyer，makingfalseissues，todefendhim。HewasmorethanamatchforallthejudgesthatAmericanvoters，oroffice—holdersofwhatevergrade，cancreate。Hecouldnothavebeentriedbyajuryofhispeers，becausehispeersdidnotexist。Whenamanstandsupserenelyagainstthecondemnationandvengeanceofmankind，risingabovethemliterallybyawholebody，——eventhoughhewereoflatethevilestmurderer，whohassettledthatmatterwithhimself，——thespectacleisasublimeone，——didn’tyeknowit，yeLiberators，yeTribunes，yeRepublicans？——andwebecomecriminalincomparison。
Doyourselvesthehonortorecognizehim。Heneedsnoneofyourrespect。
AsfortheDemocraticjournals，theyarenothumanenoughtoaffectmeatall。Idonotfeelindignationatanythingtheymaysay。
IamawarethatIanticipatealittle，——thathewasstill，atthelastaccounts，aliveinthehandsofhisfoes；butthatbeingthecase，Ihaveallalongfoundmyselfthinkingandspeakingofhimasphysicallydead。
Idonotbelieveinerectingstatuestothosewhostillliveinourhearts，whoseboneshavenotyetcrumbledintheeartharoundus，butIwouldratherseethestatueofCaptainBrownintheMassachusettsState—Houseyard，thanthatofanyothermanwhomI
know。IrejoicethatIliveinthisage，thatIamhiscontemporary。
Whatacontrast，whenweturntothatpoliticalpartywhichissoanxiouslyshufflinghimandhisplotoutofitsway，andlookingaroundforsomeavailableslaveholder，perhaps，tobeitscandidate，atleastforonewhowillexecutetheFugitiveSlaveLaw，andallthoseotherunjustlawswhichhetookuparmstoannul！
Insane！Afatherandsixsons，andoneson—in—law，andseveralmoremenbesides，——asmanyatleastastwelvedisciples，——allstruckwithinsanityatonce；whilethesametyrantholdswithafirmergripethaneverhisfourmillionsofslaves，andathousandsaneeditors，hisabettors，aresavingtheircountryandtheirbacon！
JustasinsanewerehiseffortsinKansas。Askthetyrantwhoishismostdangerousfoe，thesanemanortheinsane？Dothethousandswhoknowhimbest，whohaverejoicedathisdeedsinKansas，andhaveaffordedhimmaterialaidthere，thinkhiminsane？Suchauseofthiswordisameretropewithmostwhopersistinusingit，andIhavenodoubtthatmanyoftheresthavealreadyinsilenceretractedtheirwords。
ReadhisadmirableanswerstoMasonandothers。Howtheyaredwarfedanddefeatedbythecontrast！Ontheoneside，half—brutish，half—timidquestioning；ontheother，truth，clearaslightning，crashingintotheirobscenetemples。TheyaremadetostandwithPilate，andGesler，andtheInquisition。Howineffectualtheirspeechandaction！andwhatavoidtheirsilence！Theyarebuthelplesstoolsinthisgreatwork。Itwasnohumanpowerthatgatheredthemaboutthispreacher。
WhathaveMassachusettsandtheNorthsentafewsanerepresentativestoCongressfor，oflateyears？——todeclarewitheffectwhatkindofsentiments？Alltheirspeechesputtogetherandboileddown，——andprobablytheythemselveswillconfessit，——donotmatchformanlydirectnessandforce，andforsimpletruth，thefewcasualremarksofcrazyJohnBrown，ontheflooroftheHarper’sFerryengine—house，——thatmanwhomyouareabouttohang，tosendtotheotherworld，thoughnottorepresentyouthere。No，hewasnotourrepresentativeinanysense。Hewastoofairaspecimenofamantorepresentthelikeofus。Who，then，werehisconstituents？
Ifyoureadhiswordsunderstandinglyyouwillfindout。Inhiscasethereisnoidleeloquence，nomade，normaidenspeech，nocomplimentstotheoppressor。Truthishisinspirer，andearnestnessthepolisherofhissentences。HecouldaffordtolosehisSharpe’srifles，whileheretainedhisfacultyofspeech，——aSharpe’srifleofinfinitelysurerandlongerrange。
AndtheNewYorkHeraldreportstheconversationverbatim！Itdoesnotknowofwhatundyingwordsitismadethevehicle。
Ihavenorespectforthepenetrationofanymanwhocanreadthereportofthatconversation，andstillcalltheprincipalinitinsane。
Ithastheringofasanersanitythananordinarydisciplineandhabitsoflife，thananordinaryorganization，secure。Takeanysentenceofit，——"AnyquestionsthatIcanhonorablyanswer，I
will；nototherwise。SofarasIammyselfconcerned，Ihavetoldeverythingtruthfully。Ivaluemyword，sir。"Thefewwhotalkabouthisvindictivespirit，whiletheyreallyadmirehisheroism，havenotestbywhichtodetectanobleman，noamalgamtocombinewithhispuregold。Theymixtheirowndrosswithit。
Itisarelieftoturnfromtheseslanderstothetestimonyofhismoretruthful，butfrightenedjailersandhangmen。GovernorWisespeaksfarmorejustlyandappreciatinglyofhimthananyNortherneditor，orpolitician，orpublicpersonage，thatIchancetohaveheardfrom。Iknowthatyoucanaffordtohearhimagainonthissubject。Hesays:"Theyarethemselvesmistakenwhotakehimtobemadman……Heiscool，collected，andindomitable，anditisbutjusttohimtosay，thathewashumanetohisprisoners……
Andheinspiredmewithgreattrustinhisintegrityasamanoftruth。Heisafanatic，vainandgarrulous，"（IleavethatparttoMr。Wise，）"butfirm，truthful，andintelligent。Hismen，too，whosurvive，arelikehim……ColonelWashingtonsaysthathewasthecoolestandfirmestmanheeversawindefyingdangeranddeath。Withonesondeadbyhisside，andanothershotthrough，hefeltthepulseofhisdyingsonwithonehand，andheldhisriflewiththeother，andcommandedhismenwiththeutmostcomposure，encouragingthemtobefirm，andtoselltheirlivesasdearastheycould。Ofthethreewhiteprisoners，Brown，Stephens，andCoppic，itwashardtosaywhichwasmostfirm。"
AlmostthefirstNorthernmenwhomtheslaveholderhaslearnedtorespect！
ThetestimonyofMr。Vallandigham，thoughlessvaluable，isofthesamepurport，that"itisvaintounderrateeitherthemanorhisconspiracy……Heisthefarthestpossibleremovedfromtheordinaryruffian，fanatic，ormadman。"
"AllisquietatHarper’sFerry，"saythejournals。Whatisthecharacterofthatcalmwhichfollowswhenthelawandtheslaveholderprevail？Iregardthiseventasatouchstonedesignedtobringout，withglaringdistinctness，thecharacterofthisgovernment。
Weneededtobethusassistedtoseeitbythelightofhistory。
Itneededtoseeitself。Whenagovernmentputsforthitsstrengthonthesideofinjustice，asourstomaintainslaveryandkilltheliberatorsoftheslave，itrevealsitselfamerelybruteforce，orworse，ademoniacalforce。ItistheheadofthePlug—Uglies。Itismoremanifestthaneverthattyrannyrules。IseethisgovernmenttobeeffectuallyalliedwithFranceandAustriainoppressingmankind。Theresitsatyrantholdingfetteredfourmillionsofslaves；herecomestheirheroicliberator。Thismosthypocriticalanddiabolicalgovernmentlooksupfromitsseatonthegaspingfourmillions，andinquireswithanassumptionofinnocence:"Whatdoyouassaultmefor？AmInotanhonestman？Ceaseagitationonthissubject，orIwillmakeaslaveofyou，too，orelsehangyou。"
Wetalkaboutarepresentativegovernment；butwhatamonsterofagovernmentisthatwherethenoblestfacultiesofthemind，andthewholeheart，arenotrepresented。Asemi—humantigerorox，stalkingovertheearth，withitshearttakenoutandthetopofitsbrainshotaway。Heroeshavefoughtwellontheirstumpswhentheirlegswereshotoff，butIneverheardofanygooddonebysuchagovernmentasthat。
TheonlygovernmentthatIrecognize，——anditmattersnothowfewareattheheadofit，orhowsmallitsarmy，——isthatpowerthatestablishesjusticeintheland，neverthatwhichestablishesinjustice。Whatshallwethinkofagovernmenttowhichallthetrulybraveandjustmeninthelandareenemies，standingbetweenitandthosewhomitoppresses？AgovernmentthatpretendstobeChristianandcrucifiesamillionChristseveryday！
Treason！Wheredoessuchtreasontakeitsrise？Icannothelpthinkingofyouasyoudeserve，yegovernments。Canyoudryupthefountainsofthought？Hightreason，whenitisresistancetotyrannyherebelow，hasitsoriginin，andisfirstcommittedby，thepowerthatmakesandforeverrecreatesman。Whenyouhavecaughtandhungallthesehumanrebels，youhaveaccomplishednothingbutyourownguilt，foryouhavenotstruckatthefountain—head。YoupresumetocontendwithafoeagainstwhomWestPointcadetsandrifledcannonpointnot。Canalltheartofthecannon—foundertemptmattertoturnagainstitsmaker？Istheforminwhichthefounderthinkshecastsitmoreessentialthantheconstitutionofitandofhimself？
TheUnitedStateshaveacoffleoffourmillionsofslaves。Theyaredeterminedtokeeptheminthiscondition；andMassachusettsisoneoftheconfederatedoverseerstopreventtheirescape。SucharenotalltheinhabitantsofMassachusetts，butsucharetheywhoruleandareobeyedhere。ItwasMassachusetts，aswellasVirginia，thatputdownthisinsurrectionatHarper’sFerry。Shesentthemarinesthere，andshewillhavetopaythepenaltyofhersin。
SupposethatthereisasocietyinthisStatethatoutofitsownpurseandmagnanimitysavesallthefugitiveslavesthatruntous，andprotectsourcoloredfellow—citizens，andleavestheotherworktothegovernment，so—called。Isnotthatgovernmentfastlosingitsoccupation，andbecomingcontemptibletomankind？Ifprivatemenareobligedtoperformtheofficesofgovernment，toprotecttheweakanddispensejustice，thenthegovernmentbecomesonlyahiredman，orclerk，toperformmenialorindifferentservices。Ofcourse，thatisbuttheshadowofagovernmentwhoexistencenecessitatesaVigilantCommittee。WhatshouldwethinkoftheOrientalCadieven，behindwhomworkedinsecretavigilantcommittee？ButsuchisthecharacterofourNorthernStatesgenerally；
eachhasitsVigilantCommittee。And，toacertainextent，thesecrazygovernmentsrecognizeandacceptthisrelation。Theysay，virtually，"We’llbegladtoworkforyouontheseterms，onlydon’tmakeanoiseaboutit。"Andthusthegovernment，itssalarybeinginsured，withdrawsintothebackshop，takingtheConstitutionwithit，andbestowsmostofitslaboronrepairingthat。WhenI
hearitatworksometimes，asIgoby，itremindsme，atbest，ofthosefarmerswhoinwintercontrivetoturnapennybyfollowingthecooperingbusiness。Andwhatkindofspiritistheirbarrelmadetohold？Theyspeculateinstocks，andboreholesinmountains，buttheyarenotcompetenttolayoutevenadecenthighway。Theonlyfreeroad，theUndergroundRailroad，isownedandmanagedbytheVigilantCommittee。Theyhavetunnelledunderthewholebreadthoftheland。Suchagovernmentislosingitspowerandrespectabilityassurelyaswaterrunsoutofaleakyvessel，andisheldbyonethatcancontainit。
Ihearmanycondemnthesemenbecausetheyweresofew。Whenwerethegoodandthebraveeverinamajority？Wouldyouhavehadhimwaittillthattimecame？——tillyouandIcameovertohim？Theveryfactthathehadnorabbleortroopofhirelingsabouthimwouldalonedistinguishhimfromordinaryheroes。Hiscompanywassmallindeed，becausefewcouldbefoundworthytopassmuster。
Eachonewhotherelaiddownhislifeforthepoorandoppressedwasapickedman，culledoutofmanythousands，ifnotmillions；
apparentlyamanofprinciple，ofrarecourage，anddevotedhumanity；
readytosacrificehislifeatanymomentforsomuchbylaymenasbyministersoftheGospel，notsomuchbythefightingsectsasbytheQuakers，andnotsomuchbyQuakermenasbyQuakerwomen？
Thiseventadvertisesmethatthereissuchafactasdeath，——thepossibilityofaman’sdying。ItseemsasifnomanhadeverdiedinAmericabefore；forinordertodieyoumustfirsthavelived。
Idon’tbelieveinthehearses，andpalls，andfuneralsthattheyhavehad。Therewasnodeathinthecase，becausetherehadbeennolife；theymerelyrottedorsloughedoff，prettymuchastheyhadrottedorsloughedalong。Notemple’sveilwasrent，onlyaholedugsomewhere。Letthedeadburytheirdead。Thebestofthemfairlyrandownlikeaclock。Franklin，——Washington，——theywereletoffwithoutdying；theyweremerelymissingoneday。Ihearagoodmanypretendthattheyaregoingtodie；orthattheyhavedied，foraughtthatIknow。Nonsense！I’lldefythemtodoit。
Theyhaven’tgotlifeenoughinthem。They’lldeliquescelikefungi，andkeepahundredeulogistsmoppingthespotwheretheyleftoff。Onlyhalfadozenorsohavediedsincetheworldbegan。
Doyouthinkthatyouaregoingtodie，sir？No！there’snohopeofyou。Youhaven’tgotyourlessonyet。You’vegottostayafterschool。Wemakeaneedlessadoaboutcapitalpunishment，——takinglives，whenthereisnolifetotake。Mementomori！Wedon’tunderstandthatsublimesentencewhichsomeworthygotsculpturedonhisgravestoneonce。We’veinterpreteditinagrovellingandsnivellingsense；we’vewhollyforgottenhowtodie。
Butbesureyoudodienevertheless。Doyourwork，andfinishit。
Ifyouknowhowtobegin，youwillknowwhentoend。
Thesemen，inteachingushowtodie，haveatthesametimetaughtushowtolive。Ifthisman’sactsandwordsdonotcreatearevival，itwillbetheseverestpossiblesatireontheactsandwordsthatdo。ItisthebestnewsthatAmericahaseverheard。
IthasalreadyquickenedthefeeblepulseoftheNorth，andinfusedmoreandmoregenerousbloodintoherveinsandheart，thananynumberofyearsofwhatiscalledcommercialandpoliticalprosperitycould。Howmanyamanwhowaslatelycontemplatingsuicidehasnowsomethingtolivefor！
OnewritersaysthatBrown’speculiarmonomaniamadehimtobe"dreadedbytheMissouriansasasupernaturalbeing。"Sureenough，aherointhemidstofuscowardsisalwayssodreaded。Heisjustthatthing。Heshowshimselfsuperiortonature。Hehasasparkofdivinityinhim。
"UnlessabovehimselfhecanErecthimself，howpoorathingisman！"
Newspapereditorsarguealsothatitisaproofofhisinsanitythathethoughthewasappointedtodothisworkwhichhedid，——thathedidnotsuspecthimselfforamoment！Theytalkasifitwereimpossiblethatamancouldbe"divinelyappointed"inthesedaystodoanyworkwhatever；asifvowsandreligionwereoutofdateasconnectedwithanyman’sdailywork；asiftheagenttoabolishslaverycouldonlybesomebodyappointedbythePresident，orbysomepoliticalparty。Theytalkasifaman’sdeathwereafailure，andhiscontinuedlife，beitofwhatevercharacter，wereasuccess。
WhenIreflecttowhatacausethismandevotedhimself，andhowreligiously，andthenreflecttowhatcausehisjudgesandallwhocondemnhimsoangrilyandfluentlydevotethemselves，Iseethattheyareasfarapartastheheavensandearthareasunder。
Theamountofitis，our"leadingmen"areaharmlesskindoffolk，andtheyknowwellenoughthattheywerenotdivinelyappointed，butelectedbythevotesoftheirparty。
WhoisitwhosesafetyrequiresthatCaptainBrownbehung？IsitindispensabletoanyNorthernman？IstherenoresourcebuttocastthismanalsototheMinotaur？Ifyoudonotwishit，saysodistinctly。Whilethesethingsarebeingdone，beautystandsveiledandmusicisascreechinglie。Thinkofhim，——ofhisrarequalities！——suchamanasittakesagestomake，andagestounderstand；nomockhero，northerepresentativeofanyparty。A
mansuchasthesunmaynotriseuponagaininthisbenightedland。
Towhosemakingwentthecostliestmaterial，thefinestadamant；
senttobetheredeemerofthoseincaptivity；andtheonlyusetowhichyoucanputhimistohanghimattheendofarope！YouwhopretendtocareforChristcrucified，considerwhatyouareabouttodotohimwhoofferedhimselftobethesavioroffourmillionsofmen。
Anymanknowswhenheisjustified，andallthewitsintheworldcannotenlightenhimonthatpoint。Themurdereralwaysknowsthatheisjustlypunished；butwhenagovernmenttakesthelifeofamanwithouttheconsentofhisconscience，itisanaudaciousgovernment，andistakingasteptowardsitsowndissolution。Isitnotpossiblethatanindividualmayberightandagovernmentwrong？Arelawstobeenforcedsimplybecausetheyweremade？ordeclaredbyanynumberofmentobegood，iftheyarenotgood？
Isthereanynecessityforaman’sbeingatooltoperformadeedofwhichhisbetternaturedisapproves？Isittheintentionoflaw—makersthatgoodmenshallbehungever？Arejudgestointerpretthelawaccordingtotheletter，andnotthespirit？Whatrighthaveyoutoenterintoacompactwithyourselfthatyouwilldothusorso，againstthelightwithinyou？Isitforyoutomakeupyourmind，——toformanyresolutionwhatever，——andnotaccepttheconvictionsthatareforceduponyou，andwhicheverpassyourunderstanding？Idonotbelieveinlawyers，inthatmodeofattackingordefendingaman，becauseyoudescendtomeetthejudgeonhisownground，and，incasesofthehighestimportance，itisofnoconsequencewhetheramanbreaksahumanlawornot。Letlawyersdecidetrivialcases。Businessmenmayarrangethatamongthemselves。Iftheyweretheinterpretersoftheeverlastinglawswhichrightfullybindman，thatwouldbeanotherthing。A
counterfeitinglaw—factory，standinghalfinaslavelandandhalfinfree！Whatkindoflawsforfreemencanyouexpectfromthat？
Iamheretopleadhiscausewithyou。Ipleadnotforhislife，butforhischaracter，——hisimmortallife；andsoitbecomesyourcausewholly，andisnothisintheleast。SomeeighteenhundredyearsagoChristwascrucified；thismorning，perchance，CaptainBrownwashung。Thesearethetwoendsofachainwhichisnotwithoutitslinks。HeisnotOldBrownanylonger；heisanangeloflight。
Iseenowthatitwasnecessarythatthebravestandhumanestmaninallthecountryshouldbehung。Perhapshesawithimself。I
almostfearthatImayyethearofhisdeliverance，doubtingifaprolongedlife，ifanylife，candoasmuchgoodashisdeath。
"Misguided"！"Garrulous"！"Insane"！"Vindictive"！Soyewriteinyoureasy—chairs，andthushewoundedrespondsfromtheflooroftheArmory，clearasacloudlesssky，trueasthevoiceofnatureis:"Nomansentmehere；itwasmyownpromptingandthatofmyMaker。Iacknowledgenomasterinhumanform。"
Andinwhatasweetandnoblestrainheproceeds，addressinghiscaptors，whostandoverhim:"Ithink，myfriends，youareguiltyofagreatwrongagainstGodandhumanity，anditwouldbeperfectlyrightforanyonetointerferewithyousofarastofreethoseyouwillfullyandwickedlyholdinbondage。"
And，referringtohismovement:"Itis，inmyopinion，thegreatestserviceamancanrendertoGod。"
"Ipitythepoorinbondagethathavenonetohelpthem；thatiswhyIamhere；nottogratifyanypersonalanimosity，revenge，orvindictivespirit。Itismysympathywiththeoppressedandthewronged，thatareasgoodasyou，andaspreciousinthesightofGod。"
Youdon’tknowyourtestamentwhenyouseeit。
"IwantyoutounderstandthatIrespecttherightsofthepoorestandweakestofcoloredpeople，oppressedbytheslavepower，justasmuchasIdothoseofthemostwealthyandpowerful。"
"Iwishtosay，furthermore，thatyouhadbetter，allyoupeopleattheSouth，prepareyourselvesforasettlementofthatquestion，thatmustcomeupforsettlementsoonerthanyourarepreparedforit。Thesooneryouarepreparedthebetter。Youmaydisposeofmeveryeasily。Iamnearlydisposedofnow；butthisquestionisstilltobesettled，——thisnegroquestion，Imean；theendofthatisnotyet。"
Iforeseethetimewhenthepainterwillpaintthatscene，nolongergoingtoRomeforasubject；thepoetwillsingit；thehistorianrecordit；and，withtheLandingofthePilgrimsandtheDeclarationofIndependence，itwillbetheornamentofsomefuturenationalgallery，whenatleastthepresentformofslaveryshallbenomorehere。WeshallthenbeatlibertytoweepforCaptainBrown。
Then，andnottillthen，wewilltakeourrevenge。