The same writer, in a letter published since the trial of John Brown, gives additional particulars of the old hero's talks when under his roof:
Nothing seemed to so much excite him as an intimation that oppression aroused a spirit of revenge. As he spoke in public there was no boasting, nor a display of himself. The wrongs of Kansas, and the atrocities of slavery, he pictured in a clear style, declaring:That it was “nothing to die in a good cause, but an eternal disgrace to sit still in the presence of the barbarities of American slavery.”His logic, with all who were captious as to his course, was like a chain shot argument; yet he courted no discussion, being then occupied with the safe escape of the eleven supposed chattels from Missouri. “Providence,” said he, “ has made me an actor, and Slavery an outlaw. A price is on my head, and what is life to me? An old man should have more care to end life well than to live long.” “Duty is the voice of God, and a man is neither worthy of a good home here, or a heaven, that is not willing to be in peril for a good cause!” “ The loss of my family and the troubles in Kansas have shattered my constitution, and I am nothing to the world but to defend the right, and that, by God's help, I have done, and will do.” This, in substance, and much more, was said in reply to a wish which I expressed that he would not return to Kansas, but seek that quiet with his family which his health demanded. He scouted the idea of rest while he held “ a commission direct from God Almighty to act against slavery.” He claimed to be responsible for the wise exercises of his powers only, and not for the quality of certain acts. In taking slaves out of Missouri, he said that he would teach those “living in glass houses not to throw stones,” and they would have more than they could do to keep slavery in Missouri, without extending it against the will of
