Book Review: The Charge Was Treason — The Trial of John Brown
reviewed by George Conk
John Brown's speech to the court, the oration of a wounded and doomed man, like that of Gracchus Babeuf, did not persuade the Virginia jury that convicted him of treason against the State and sent him swiftly to his death. But it was manifesto that inspired those who volunteered, marched south and fought the bloodiest of wars to end chattel slavery. - GWC
That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand the cause and nature of his accusation, to be confronted with the accusers and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of twelve men of his vicinage, without whose unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself; that no man be deprived of his liberty, except by the law of the land or the judgment of his peers.§ 8 The Bill of Rights, Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, June 12, 1776
Now when many believe it is weakness to treat as criminals those who attacked us on September 11, 2001 Brian McGinty’s John Brown’s Trial is a timely arrival. His compelling narrative shows Virginia thought it had something to prove by both the swiftness and the propriety of the trial and prosecution that began eight days after the anti-slavery warrior’s capture and ended forty seven days later with Brown’s death by public hanging on December 2, 1859. Yet Virginia afforded a trial by jury, and Brown was represented by appointed lawyers, slaveholders who diligently advocated for the leader of a cause they deplored......
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