第1章

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。