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第46章 在法庭上的最后陈述 1（第1页）

StatementtotheCourt

约翰·布朗

JohnBrown

约翰·布朗（1800—1859），一位狂热的废奴主义者，约翰·布朗起义的发动者，生于康涅狄格州的托灵顿。

PracticingforBetterLearning

Readthefollowingarticlecarefully，andanswerthequestionbelow。

Accordingtotheauther，whatisthemostimortantointtothislaststatement？

Ihave，mayitleasetheCourt，afewwordstosay。

Inthefirstlace，IdenyeverythingbutwhatIhavelongadmitted：ofadesignonmyarttofreeslaves。Iintendedcertainlytohavemadeacleanthingofthatmatter，asIdidlastwinter，whenIwentintoMissouriandtheretookslaveswithoutthesnaingofagunoneitherside，movingthemthroughthecountry，andfinallyleavingtheminCanada。Idesignedtohavedonethesamethingagainonalargerscale。ThatwasallIintended。Ineverdidintendmurderortreason，orthedestructionofroerty，ortoexciteorinciteslavestorebellion，ortomakeinsurrection。

Ihaveanotherobjection，andthatisthatitisunjustthatIshouldsuffersuchaenalty。HadIinterferedinthemannerwhichIadmit，andwhichIadmithasbeenfairlyroved—forIadmirethetruthfulnessandcandorofthegreaterortionofthewitnesseswhohavetestifiedinthiscase—hadIsointerferedinbehalfoftherich，theowerful，theintelligent，theso-calledgreat，orinbehalfofanyoftheirfriends，eitherfather，mother，brother，sister，wifeorchildren，oranyofthatclass，andsufferedandsacrificedwhatIhaveinthisinterference，itwouldhavebeenallright。EverymaninthisCourtwouldhavedeemeditanactworthyofrewardratherthanunishment。

ThisCourt，acknowledges，too，asIsuose，thevalidityofthelawofGod。Iseeabookkissed，whichIsuosetobetheBible，oratleasttheNewTestament，whichteachesmethatallthingswhatsoeverIwouldthatmenshoulddotome，Ishoulddoevensountothem。Itteachesme，further，torememberthemthatareinbondsasboundwiththem。Iendeavoredtoactutothatinstruction。IsayIamyettooyoungtounderstandthatGodisanyresecterofersons。IbelievethattohaveinterferedasIhavedone，asIhavealwaysfreelyadmittedIhavedone，inbehalfofHisdesisedoor，Ididnowrong，butright。Now，ifitisdeemednecessarythatIshouldforfeitmylifeforthefurtheranceoftheendsofjustice，andminglemybloodfurtherwiththebloodofmychildrenandwiththebloodofmillionsinthisslavecountrywhoserightsaredisregardedbywicked，cruel，andunjustenactments，Isay，letitbedone。

Letmesayonewordfurther。IfeelentirelysatisfiedwiththetreatmentIhavereceivedonmytrial。Consideringallthecircumstances，ithasbeenmoregenerousthanIexected。ButIfeelnoconsciousnessofguilt。Ihavestatedfromthefirstwhatwasmyintention，andwhatwasnot。Ineverhadanydesignagainstthelibertyofanyerson，noranydisositiontocommittreasonorinciteslavestorebelormakeanygeneralinsurrection。Ineverencouragedanymantodoso，butalwaysdiscouragedanyideaofthatkind。