th his sword and struck him in the head several times. Things did not work out the way that Brown had hoped. He had counted on a slave uprising but none of the slaves in the area did revolt. Many slaves did not hear of the revolt until it was over and the ones that did hear of it believed it suicidal to join him. Ten of Brown’s own men were dead, including two of his sons. Seven others were dead and ten others were wounded. Brown himself was wounded in the head and chest. John Brown was arrested and charged with treason, murder, and conspiracy with slaves. He was promised a fair trial by Governor Wise of Virginia, but Wise would not award clemency to Brown. Brown responded by saying, “I have had no counsel; I have not been able to advise with any one. I know nothing about the feelings of my fellow prisoners, and am utterly unable to attend in any way to my own defense.” A fair trial was something he would never see in his eyes. Brown insisted he had done no wrong. Brown remarked, “I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite the slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection.” When asked how he justified his acts, he replied, “I think, my friend, you are guilty of a great wrong against God and humanity—I say it without wishing to be offensive—and it would be perfectly right for any one to interfere with you so far as to free those you willfully and wickedly hold in bondage. I do not say this insultingly.” When asked what principle does he justify his acts he replied, “Upon the golden rule. I pity the poor in bondage that have none to help them; that is why I am here; not to gratify any personal animosity, revenge or vindictive spirit. It is my sympathy with the oppressed and the wronged, that are as good as you and as precious in the eyes of God.” John Brown was an instrument in the hands of Providence. (Bro...
