_Appeal to Reason, November 23, 1907_
This is the immortal date upon which John Brown was led to execution.
Louisa M. Alcott on that day christened him “Saint John the Just.” On
that same day Longfellow wrote: “This will be a great day in our
history; the date of a new revolution, quite as much needed as the old
one. Even now, as I write, they are leading Old John Brown to execution
in Virginia for attempting to rescue slaves! This is sowing the wind to
reap the whirlwind, which will come soon.”
How prophetic these words!
Within a month the mutterings of the storm were heard in the land, and
within a few months it broke forth in all its fury.
December 2, 1859, had spoken!
John Brown was the spirit incarnate of the Revolution, and his execution
changed the destiny of the universe.
The hated agitator is now the sainted savior, and his name ranks highest
among the immortals.