A hero is defined as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life. By this definition, there existed countless heroes in America during the 1800s with relation to slavery. There were many abolitionists, particularly from the North, that exhibited courageous attitudes John Brown is one of abolitionist who stands out amongst the rest and has been noted as one of the most important men in the process of abolishing slavery. It was Browns work that sparked the revolts and fighting that would occur between the North and the South after his time.
He can be considered a hero on account of his actions in Kentucky and Virginia. John Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut in 1800 and grew up in Hudson, Ohio. Since he was young, Brown felt a strong importance of religion and his teachings in the Bible (Browne, 93). He felt that the pro-slave sinners should be punished for their wrongdoings. Eager to help in the abolition movement he wanted to make large-scale attack on slavery. Brown planned on freeing slaves in Virginia by means of a massive raid. This is where the attack on Harpers Ferry comes in to play
Browns attack caused many repercussions in the South to place the blame on the North for funding and supporting Brown (Potter, 134). Strict curfews and increased defense measures were enforced in southern towns out of fear (potter, 134). The North worried that the South would infer that Browns attack meant the North was turning abolitionist (Collins, 136). The northeastern business society tried to persuade the South that it had no association with the doings of such an unsupported madman (Collins, 136). The raid horrified Boston conservatives because it put a damper on their good names in politics.
Edward Everett warned Robert C. Winthrop that the Harpers Ferry attack would lead the way for the final catastrophe. ( Cox, 136) Originally, Browns supporters, Howe and Stearns, both denied any knowledge of Browns plans and fled to Canada (Redpath, 136). Sanborn, another supporter, headed to Canada also, to try a change of air for his old complaint. Smith was admitted to an insane asylum to evade arrest (Redpath, 102). When Brown was put on trial, both his opponents and his supporters thought he was crazy (Devillers, 102).
Some thought a plea of insanity would save him from his death and so his family presented documents claiming insanity ran in the family (Devillers, 102). Virginia Governor Henry A. Wise was confident that Brown was an intelligent and brave man and he convicted him of murder, treason against Virginia, and conspiring to incite a slave revolt. Wendell Phillips, William Bowditch, Thomas Wentworth, Theodore Parker, and others of Browns original followers stuck to their beliefs and supported Brown until his death (Devillers, 136). Brown wrote a letter to his wife and children before his death, saying the following.
I am awaiting the hour of my public murder with great composure of mind and cheerfulness; feeling the strong assurance that in no other possible way could I be used to so much advantage to the cause of God and humanity… I have now no doubt but that our seeming disaster will ultimately result in the most glorious success (Cox, 103). On October 19, 1859, Thoreau heard the news of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. While most in the North were quick to condemn Brown, Thoreau spoke in his defense. On October 30, he presented his essay, “A Plea for Captain John Brown,” to the town of Concord. Thoreau took the high ground.
He did not defend Brown’s actions or his character, but the principle under which he acted. He called John Brown a “transcendentalist above all, a man of ideas and principles,” who dared to risk his life for the liberation of slaves. Is it not possible that an individual may be right and a government wrong? Are laws to be enforced simply because they were made? Or declared by any number of men to be good, if they are not good? Although Browns actions were radical, his cause was heroic. His plans to spark slave revolts in both Kansas in Virginia were not well thought-out, but his cause was passionate and justified.
Brown can be looked upon as a courageous man who stood up for what he believed was right. He was a martyr until the moment he was hanged. Brown revealed all of his schemes under trial, but would convict no one else (Browne, 134). He was seen as silent, grim, and defiant (Browne, 134). He was not working to attain power or respect, but to put an end to the violation of human rights. John Browns actions in Kansas and Virginia render him a hero. To sum up Browns impact, Thomas Brigham Bishop once said, John Browns body lies a-moldering in the grave, his soul goes marching on. (Collins, 1)
