No Title.Frankfort, Kentucky, Commonwealth [Opposition](31 October 1859)
[Pointing Finger] We cannot but regard it as
unfortunate that Judge Parker has seen proper
to refuse the delay asked for by Brown,
in order that he might procure his own
counsel and not be compelled to rely upon
the gentlemen furnished him by the
Commonwealth. The time asked for was but
brief, being only enough to enable counsel
who had been written to reach Harper's
Ferry; and the grounds upon which it
was requested were surely sufficient to
have justified the Judge in granting it.--
Brown and his confederates are entitled to
no mercy from the Virginia authorities,
nor will any right thinking man wish that
he may escape the punishment which his
heinous offense deserves. But then we
would have him receive the benefit of a
fair and impartial trial, in order that the
whole world may be satisfied that his
execution is but in accordance with the laws
against which he has grievously offended.
We would not have it said by Northern
men that Virginia hurried the misguided
wretch to his death, not even granting his
request for a delay sufficient to enable his
counsel to appear in his behalf.
Let him and all of them have the full
of all that can be said, or that
they would wish to be said, in mitigation
of their crime. They are certain to be
condemned; for not one of them denies the
charges preferred against them. At first
the Northern press with one accord admitted
that Brown should suffer death as the
just penalty of his fool hardy act, but we are
mistaken if the conduct of Judge Parker
does not excite a sympathy in his behalf. It
is in order to deprive them of the slightest
quibble that we would have had Brown's
request granted. Ordinary prudence would
dictate that his trial should be so conducted
that the entire nation would be compelled to
admit that it was impartial, and that the
sentence was not pronounced without the
criminal having an opportunity of defending
himself.
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