He was found guilty and condemned to death which is exactly what he wanted. He became a martyr to the North and, of course, was the very essence of the devil to Southerners. They now knew that many Northerners wanted to see them murdered by their slaves. They could not live in a country that felt that way about them.
His execution was attended by Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart and one John Wilkes Booth.
Voting in Congress now became very sectional Brown helped disrupt the existing party system. Had it not been for him, Lincoln likely would not have been elected president in 1860. That was the final straw that forced the South out of the United States.
A song that became popular during this time "John Brown's Body Lies A-Mouldering in the Grave" eventually got new words and became "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the hands of Julia Ward Howe, whose husband was one of John Brown's Secret Six.
At then end of the presentation, Bob Pressman had everyone weigh in on the question: "Was John Brown a Hero, Terrorist, Martyr or Mad Man?"
The majority of those assembled chose all of the above.
I, of course, could in no way call him a hero, though II know that he was a hero to some if not many.
--Old Secesh
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