John Brown, a white abolitionist, was admant in his refusal to stand idly by and watch the perpetuation of slavery. In spite of the fact that he was never financially successful, even filing for bankruptcy, he is know for giving land to fugitive slaves. He also participated in the Underground Railroad, and, in 1851, halped establish the League of Gileadites, an organization that worked to protect escaped slaves from slave catchers.
Frederick Douglass stated that, "though a white gentleman, [Brown] is in sympathy a black man, and as deeply interested in our cause, as though his own soul had been pierced with the iron of slavery."
On this day, in 1859, John Brown led the raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. He believed that armed revolution was necessary to permanently end slavery in America.
After the trial that convicted him of treason and sentenced him to death by hanging, Henry David Thoreau said, "No man in America has ever stood up so persistently and effectively for the dignity of human nature. . . ."
7 comments:
Great inspirational post!! It is good to remember that others have fought tirelessly for human rights throughout history.
And others have tirelessly tried to tread on them and take them away! Why did the name Bush pop into my mind? Cheers!
Can you imagine the honor of having anyone, not just Henry David Thoreau, say that about you? Wow.
Our society changes so slowly...too slowly... We humans are the mollasses of the world. Sad indeed.
Didn't know it was this day. Good reminder! "His soul goes marching on."
"an injustice to one is an injustice to all."
thanks for this reminder. i'd like to say that slavery has been abolished, but often i just wonder if it has simply changed faces...
Great reminder and an inspiration during these dark days. Thanks for that needed lift.
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