Questions About John Brown

[KLarson]

Brown's actions were universally denounced in the North, even by most abolitionists. And all but two of the Secret Six denied any role in it (Higginson and Parker.) So the outcry and disapproval was profound and loud. But Brown's dignity throughout the quick trial and his hanging restored some of the admiration that some of his supporters had lost. Initially, the idea that he was a lone madman soothed some slaveholders, and northerners were quick to deny that there was a "Northern conspiracy." Some abolitionists, however, thought Brown was incredibly brave, and they refused to label him a madman. (Thoreau, etc.). But they were a very small group in the beginning. They wanted the dialogue to refocus on slavery. And they agreed with Brown that he was not insane - Brown rejected that plea outright, demanding he be hanged as soon as possible. His demeanor, courage, bravery, and eloquent speeches from jail belied the claim that he was insane. These few abolitionists were able to eventually convince many Northerners of Brown's righteous plan - that he followed a higher law, that God was on his side to end slavery. The trial gave Brown a chance to remind Americans what they were supposed to stand for - liberty and justice for all. He used his great command of the Bible, and spoke in powerful biblical terms - he used incredible imagery, for instance, when he told the world that he mingled his blood with the blood of millions of slaves who had been unjustly oppressed...etc. Brown himself, and the few brave supporters who did not fear being arrested, were able to turn the tide of opinion in the north, so that Brown died a hero to many after all. In six short weeks, Brown went from lone-wolf maniac to a saintly hero. Remarkable.
As for his actions in Kansas...well, let's remember how the whole mess in Kansas started and who fired the first shots...Choosing to view Brown as a murderer in Kansas takes his actions completely out of context.