Midnight Rising

“‘I came here from Kansas,’ he announced to his captive. ‘This is a slave state. I want to free all the Negroes in this state. I have possession now of the United States armory, and if the citizens interfere with me, I must only burn the town and have blood.’”

Brown’s statement to his captive captures the essence of his raid on Harpers Ferry: a daring and direct action against the institution of enslavement. His declaration demonstrates the tactical aspect of seizing the armory to arm enslaved people, while also indicating his willingness to engage in violent conflict if met with resistance.

“‘He was a stone, / A stone eroded to a cutting edge / By obstinacy, failure and cold prayers.’—Stephen Vincent Benét, ‘John Brown’s Body.’”

This metaphor, taken from the epigraph, compares John Brown to a stone sharpened by adversity, highlighting his resilience and determination. Benét’s use of imagery emphasizes the transformation of Brown’s character through continuous struggle, failure, and devout faith. It succinctly encapsulates the essence of Brown’s life journey, suggesting that his hardships and steadfast beliefs honed him into a formidable figure in the fight against enslavement.

“I cannot tell you of anything in the first Four years of John’s life worth mentioning,” Brown wrote, “save that at that early age he was tempted by Three large Brass Pins belonging to a girl who lived in the family & stole them. In this he was detected by his Mother; & after having a full day to think of the wrong; received from her a thorough whipping.”

This quote from Brown’s autobiography serves a dual purpose: It introduces his moral compass and the strict, punitive upbringing that shaped his character. The detailed recounting of a minor childhood transgression followed by severe punishment reflects the early imposition of a plain sense of right and wrong. This narrative choice reveals the deep-seated roots of Brown’s fervent commitment to justice and his uncompromising stance against what he perceived as moral failings, including the institution of enslavement.

“‘At an early age,’ Turner said, he ‘was ordained for some great purpose in the hands of the Almighty.’”

This quote emphasizes Nat Turner’s conviction in his divine mission, introducing a theme of prophetic calling that resonates deeply with Brown’s later actions. Turner’s belief in a higher purpose bestowed upon him by God parallels the religious fervor and sense of destiny that drove Brown. Both figures are portrayed as driven by a sense of divine mandate, highlighting the role of religious conviction in the abolitionist movement and in the broader context of American history.

“[Prominent abolitionist William] Garrison, by contrast, sought the immediate abolition of slavery and the extension of full rights to black Americans.”

Garrison’s stance, as highlighted in this quote, marked a significant departure from more conservative abolition approaches. This radical perspective, embodying Garrison’s unwavering commitment to justice, parallels Brown’s own uncompromising fight against enslavement, underlining a shared ideological foundation between the two figures within the broader abolitionist movement.

“You have a pretty good opinion of yourself—would rather lead than be led.”

This quote from Orson Fowler’s phrenological reading of Brown reveals a core aspect of Brown’s personality—his natural leadership inclination and self-assuredness. It encapsulates Brown’s unwavering belief in his moral convictions and foreshadows his eventual role as a resolute leader in the abolitionist movement.

“He has something of a warlike spirit.”

Owen Brown’s observation about his son John Brown, shared in a letter, highlights the family’s awareness of John’s combative nature, even as it touches on a father’s concern for his son’s well-being. This succinct statement encapsulates the essence of John Brown’s militant approach to the abolitionist cause, foreshadowing the violent path he would take.

“I did not do it, but I approved of it.”

Brown’s terse response to his son Jason about the Pottawatomie Massacre underlines the moral ambiguity and the ethical complexity surrounding violent acts committed in the name of justice. This statement encapsulates the conflict between Brown’s avowed Christian beliefs and his militant tactics.

“‘God sees it,’ Brown told Jason. ‘I will die fighting for this cause.’”

In this quote, Brown’s resolve in the aftermath of the Battle of Osawatomie is palpable. It captures his unyielding dedication to the abolitionist cause, even in the face of personal loss and the broader implications of his actions. His mention of God reflects his perception of divine oversight and approval of his mission, blending personal vendetta with a prophetic sense of destiny.

“He is of the stuff of which martyrs are made.”

Samuel Gridley Howe’s description of Brown to a potential supporter reveals the deep admiration and mythic status Brown held among his followers and financial backers. This statement highlights Brown’s exceptional commitment and readiness to sacrifice for the cause of abolition, positioning him as a figure of heroic stature.

“The slave will be delivered by the shedding of blood, and the signs are multiplying that his deliverance is at hand.”

Gerrit Smith’s prediction to an abolitionist congressman captures the growing sense of inevitability surrounding the conflict over enslavement in the United States. This statement reflects the belief among Brown’s supporters that peaceful resolutions to the issue of enslavement were no longer viable and that violent conflict was necessary and imminent.

“‘I have been told you are both a true man & a true abolitionist,’ he wrote, at the same time questioning whether this was so of others in their circle.”

In his communication with potential supporters like Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Brown blends flattery with challenge, aiming to galvanize support for his cause. This quote reflects his strategic approach to securing the resources and backing necessary for his mission. It also highlights his skepticism toward the commitment of some within the abolitionist movement, questioning their willingness to take decisive action against enslavement.

“‘If you follow up this road along the foot of the mountain,’ Unseld told him, ‘it is shady and pleasant and you will come out at a church up here about three miles, and then you can see the house.’”

This quote illustrates the blend of normalcy and conspiracy that characterized Brown’s preparations for his raid. The directions given by Unseld, intended to guide Brown to a simple farm, metaphorically lead the reader through the journey Brown undertook from being a public figure to a clandestine operative against enslavement. It signifies the transition from the visible to the hidden, from the paths of societal norms to the shadowy routes of rebellion.

“‘Nothing going on here except drinking and dancing, and fighting,’ Anderson wrote. ‘I am going to work on the farm for Mr. Smith who expects to rent until he finds land to buy.’”

This quote encapsulates the tension between the mundane, peaceful pursuit of agriculture and the underlying, turbulent motives of Brown and his followers. It highlights the contrast between the outward appearance of their activities and their actual, revolutionary intentions. The casual mention of local festivities juxtaposed with the secret, grave purpose of their gathering in Harpers Ferry area underscores the dual nature of their mission: a blend of ordinary life and extraordinary plans for insurrection.

“Throughout the entire day, Osborne Anderson wrote, ‘a deep solemnity pervaded the place.’”

This quote captures the heavy atmosphere and the gravity of what Brown and his men were about to undertake. It underscores the solemnity and the foreboding that the men felt on the eve of their raid. The use of the word “solemnity” conveys a deep seriousness and a sense of the historical significance they attributed to their actions.

“‘You all know how dear life is to you, and how dear your life is to your friends,’ he said. ‘Do not, therefore, take the life of any one if you can possibly avoid it; but if it is necessary to take life in order to save your own, then make sure work of it.’”

This quote reflects Brown’s complex character and the moral dilemmas inherent in the raid. It showcases his humanity and the ethical boundaries he attempted to set for his men, juxtaposing the value of life against the necessity of their mission. This guidance from Brown reveals his awareness of the moral weight of taking a life, even in the pursuit of a cause he believed to be just.

“‘This is a bad business you are engaged in, Captain,’ Stuart said. ‘The United States troops have arrived, and I am sent to demand your surrender.’ ‘Upon what terms?’ Brown asked.”

This exchange between Jeb Stuart and Brown is a critical moment of confrontation that encapsulates the ideological divide defining pre-Civil War America. Stuart’s remark and Brown’s immediate inquiry into the terms of surrender reflect not just a physical standoff but a clash between two fundamentally opposing visions of justice and governance. Brown’s question, simple yet loaded, signifies his unyielding commitment to his cause, challenging the notion of unconditional surrender and asserting a moral stance even in defeat.

“You may dispose of me very easily; I am nearly disposed of now; but this question is still to be settled—this Negro question I mean—the end of that is not yet.”

This prophetic statement by Brown, made during his final hours, encapsulates the enduring significance of his raid on Harpers Ferry. It transcends the immediate context of his failure, projecting the unresolved issue of enslavement onto the national conscience.

“I am worth inconceivably more to hang than for any other purpose.”

Here, Brown articulates a chilling yet astute understanding of his symbolic value in the fight against enslavement. This quote reflects his deep awareness of the political and moral dimensions of his imminent execution. By framing his death as a strategic contribution to the abolitionist cause, Brown transforms what could be seen as a defeat into a potent act of defiance and a rallying cry for future action. This statement employs irony and a basic evaluation of his life’s worth, measured not in personal gain but in the potential to inspire change.

“The near approach of my great change is not the occasion of any particular dread.”

This quote, in which Brown reflects on his impending execution, captures his philosophical acceptance of death and his unwavering belief in the righteousness of his cause. It highlights his inner strength and the peace he finds in his faith and principles, despite facing the ultimate consequence.

“I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged but with Blood.”

This final prophecy by Brown underscores his unwavering conviction in the moral necessity of his cause and his acceptance of the inevitability of violence in the struggle against enslavement. This quote is an acknowledgment of the deep-rooted issues within American society at the time. Implicit is the idea that only a profound and violent upheaval could rectify the systemic injustices of enslavement.

“He behaved with unflinching firmness.”

This quote is from Major Thomas Jackson, regarding Brown’s demeanor at the gallows. This observation by a future Confederate general highlights Brown’s courage and conviction even in the face of death. It reflects Brown’s commitment to his principles and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the cause of abolition.

“Even now as I write, they are leading old John Brown to execution in Virginia for attempting to rescue slaves!”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s diary entry on the day of Brown’s execution captures the raw emotion and historical significance of the moment. It reflects the perspective of many Northern sympathizers who viewed Brown not merely as a radical extremist but as a heroic figure challenging the moral complacency of a nation divided by enslavement.