LastStatementtotheCourt
約翰·布朗/JohnBrown
約翰·布朗（1800—1859），一位狂熱的廢奴主義者，約翰·布朗起義的發動者，生於康涅狄格州的托靈頓。
PracticingforBetterLearning
Readthefollowingarticlecarefully,andanswerthequestionbelow.
Accordingtotheauther,whatisthemostimportantpointtothislaststatement?
Ihave,mayitpleasetheCourt,afewwordstosay.
Inthefirstplace,IdenyeverythingbutwhatIhavelongadmitted:ofadesignonmyparttofreeslaves.Iintendedcertainlytohavemadeacleanthingofthatmatter,asIdidlastwinter,whenIwentintoMissouriandtheretookslaveswithoutthesnappingofagunoneitherside,movingthemthroughthecountry,andfinallyleavingtheminCanada.Idesignedtohavedonethesamethingagainonalargerscale.ThatwasallIintended.Ineverdidintendmurderortreason,orthedestructionofproperty,ortoexciteorinciteslavestorebellion,ortomakeinsurrection.
Ihaveanotherobjection,andthatisthatitisunjustthatIshouldsuffersuchapenalty.HadIinterferedinthemannerwhichIadmit,andwhichIadmithasbeenfairlyproved—forIadmirethetruthfulnessandcandorofthegreaterportionofthewitnesseswhohavetestifiedinthiscase—hadIsointerferedinbehalfoftherich,thepowerful,theintelligent,theso-calledgreat,orinbehalfofanyoftheirfriends,eitherfather,mother,brother,sister,wifeorchildren,oranyofthatclass,andsufferedandsacrificedwhatIhaveinthisinterference,itwouldhavebeenallright.EverymaninthisCourtwouldhavedeemeditanactworthyofrewardratherthanpunishment.
ThisCourt,acknowledges,too,asIsuppose,thevalidityofthelawofGod.Iseeabookkissed,whichIsupposetobetheBible,oratleasttheNewTestament,whichteachesmethatallthingswhatsoeverIwouldthatmenshoulddotome,Ishoulddoevensountothem.Itteachesme,further,torememberthemthatareinbondsasboundwiththem.Iendeavoredtoactuptothatinstruction.IsayIamyettooyoungtounderstandthatGodisanyrespecterofpersons.IbelievethattohaveinterferedasIhavedone,asIhavealwaysfreelyadmittedIhavedone,inbehalfofHisdespisedpoor,Ididnowrong,butright.Now,ifitisdeemednecessarythatIshouldforfeitmylifeforthefurtheranceoftheendsofjustice,andminglemybloodfurtherwiththebloodofmychildrenandwiththebloodofmillionsinthisslavecountrywhoserightsaredisregardedbywicked,cruel,andunjustenactments,Isay,letitbedone.
Letmesayonewordfurther.IfeelentirelysatisfiedwiththetreatmentIhavereceivedonmytrial.Consideringallthecircumstances,ithasbeenmoregenerousthanIexpected.ButIfeelnoconsciousnessofguilt.Ihavestatedfromthefirstwhatwasmyintention,andwhatwasnot.Ineverhadanydesignagainstthelibertyofanyperson,noranydispositiontocommittreasonorinciteslavestorebelormakeanygeneralinsurrection.Ineverencouragedanymantodoso,butalwaysdiscouragedanyideaofthatkind.