Midnight Rising

“‘When in the course of Human events, it becomes necessary for an oppressed People to Rise, and assert their Natural Rights,’ the declaration began. If the opening sounded familiar, the close was not. ‘We will obtain these rights or die in the struggle,’ the document stated, before concluding: ‘Hung be the Heavens in Scarlet.’”

In this quote from Brown’s “Declaration of Liberty,” he leverages the familiar language of the United States Declaration of Independence to morally justify his armed insurrection against enslavement. By echoing America’s foundational document, Brown positions his rebellion as a direct continuation of a universal fight for freedom, specifically targeting the abolition of enslavement.

“‘I came here from Kansas,’ he announced to his captive. ‘This is a slave state. I want to free all the Negroes in this state. I have possession now of the United States armory, and if the citizens interfere with me, I must only burn the town and have blood.’”

Brown’s statement to his captive captures the essence of his raid on Harpers Ferry: a daring and direct action against the institution of enslavement. His declaration demonstrates the tactical aspect of seizing the armory to arm enslaved people, while also indicating his willingness to engage in violent conflict if met with resistance.

“‘He was a stone, / A stone eroded to a cutting edge / By obstinacy, failure and cold prayers.’—Stephen Vincent Benét, ‘John Brown’s Body.’”

This metaphor, taken from the epigraph, compares John Brown to a stone sharpened by adversity, highlighting his resilience and determination. Benét’s use of imagery emphasizes the transformation of Brown’s character through continuous struggle, failure, and devout faith. It succinctly encapsulates the essence of Brown’s life journey, suggesting that his hardships and steadfast beliefs honed him into a formidable figure in the fight against enslavement.