John Brown was in fact a criminal. Brown was fighting for a just cause, but did so illegally. As stated in the constitution, he has the right to peaceful protest and speech, but took it much farther than that. In fact, he should be considered a vigilante. Brown and his followers murdered five men in cold bold in Kansas, along with helping on the Underground Railroad, both illegal acts as well. Brown spent over two years forming a so called “army” to fight in Kansas, but only ended up getting about twenty men. Believing that this was enough, Brown attacked and seized the arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, with plans to arm slaves and fight on October 16, 1859. Brown ordered his men to find slaves to help fight, but was unsuccessful in that too. Only six slaves joined his army of twenty-one men. Word spread of Brown, in Harpers Ferry, and angry southerners attacked him, killing eight of his men and forcing him and the remaining thirteen men into a firehouse. Word was sent to Robert E. Lee, who mobilized local militiamen and quickly moved to Harpers Ferry. Upon arrival, Lee attempted negotiations, but all were unsuccessful. Colonel Lee then ordered his men to storm the firehouse, killing two of Brown’s men and capturing the rest. In legal court, John Brown was “convicted of treason, murder, and conspiracy.” (Deverell & White 456) Brown was later sentenced to death and hanged on December 2, 1859.
