494 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. " 



the Constitution, in which they called slaves "persons held to labor," not daring to use 

 the word "slave " in the instrument which guaranteed liberty and equal rights; and 

 again, when they say: "The migration or importation of such persons as any of the 

 States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited." How 

 smooth and innocent that sounds for a warrant which consigned millions of human 

 beings to hopeless servitude ! Is the innocent-sounding phrase simple permission to 

 allow our Anglo-Saxon cousins and others to come to this happy land of freedom to 

 enjoy its blessings and privileges? Not that; its soft, delusive verbiage was suggested 

 only by a guilty conscience, and was framed to cover and conceal the terrible iniquity 

 it was to legalize and perpetuate. 



Wendell Phillips once said: "It is the John Brown in men's consciences which 

 makes them hate slavery." Perhaps it was the "John Brown" already in the 

 consciences of the framers of the Constitution which made them state that damnable 

 proposition in such velvety words. 



Had they boldly, or even carelessly, made it read: "The African slave trade and 

 slavery incident thereto is hereby authorized and shall not be prohibited," it would 

 have caused war long before John Brown's day. 



The conflict between slavery and freedom was aggressive and constant, as well as 

 irrepressible. It was responsible for the Seminole, Mexican, Kansas and all other 

 wars and bloody disturbances up to and including the War of the Rebellion. Other 

 questions which divided the people and parties were discussed and settled ; but this 

 could never be settled and was ever present to disturb the peace of the country and 

 engender hatred between sections. 



John Brown and his career was but a natural and legitimate result of such condi- 

 tions. The time had come for the supreme and final test, and he, the humble 

 instrument in the hands of Providence, glorified himself by inaugurating the struggle 

 that ended in glorifying his country and its grand old flag, which we now raise and 

 unfurl in honor of his memory. 



And here let it proudly float, a grand and conspicuous landmark, o\er the spot 

 where lies the body of that wonderful man of the nineteenth century, who lived and 

 died for his fellow-men. Let it be a constant living reminder of that divinely exalted 

 sentiment which, long before the poet had given it expression, filled the soul and 

 inspired the noble deeds of the intrepid hero and martyr who here peacefully rests 

 under its shadow. 



"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, 

 With a glory in his bosom which transfigures you and me: 

 As he died to make men holy, 

 Let us die to make men free, 

 While God is marching on." 



