But I am detaining the meeting on matters which others understand better. I hope, then, that, in administering relief to John Brown’s family, we shall remember all those whom his fate concerns, all who are in sympathy with him, and not forget to aid him in the best way, by securing freedom and independence in Massachusetts. XI JOHN BROWN SPEECH AT SALEM, JANUARY 6, 1860 “A man there came, whence none could tell, Bearing a touchstone in his hand, And tested all things in the land By its unerring spell. A thousand transformations rose From fair to foul, from foul to fair: The golden crown he did not spare, Nor scorn the beggar’s clothes. ... Then angrily the people cried, ‘The loss outweighs the profit far; Our goods suffice us as they are: We will not have them tried.’ And since they could not so avail To check his unrelenting quest, They seized him, saying, ‘Let him test How real is our jail!’ But though they slew him with the sword, And in the fire his touchstone burned, Its doings could not be o’erturned, Its undoings restored. And when, to stop all future harm, They strewed its ashes to the breeze, They little guessed each grain of these Conveyed the perfect charm.” WILLIAM ALLINGHAM. JOHN BROWN MR. CHAIRMAN: I have been struck with one fact, that the best orators who have added their praise to his fame,—and I need not go out of this house to find the purest eloquence in the country,—have one rival who comes off a little better, and that is JOHN BROWN. Everything that is said of him leaves people a little dissatisfied; but as soon as they read his own speeches and letters they are heartily contented,—such is the singleness of purpose which justifies him to the head and the heart of all. Taught by this experience, I mean, in the few remarks I have to make, to cling to his history, or let him speak for himself.