Document A: John Brown's Speech (MODIFIED) I have...a few words to say.

In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted -- the design on my part to free the slaves,...as I did last winter when I went into Missouri and there took slaves without the [firing] of a gun on either side, moved them through the country, and finally left them in Canada. I [planned] the same thing again on a larger scale. That was all I intended. I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion. I have another objection; and that is, it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit...in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends...it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment. ...I see a book kissed here which I suppose to be the Bible[t]hat teaches me that all things..that men...do to me, I should do...to them. It teaches me, further, to "remember them that are in bonds, as [if I was] bound with them." I endeavored to act [on this] instruction.I believe that to have interfered as I have done--as I have always freely admitted I have done--in behalf of His despised poor was not wrong, but right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life...and mingle my blood...with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust [laws] -- I submit; so let it be done! Source: This was John Brown's last speech. November 2, 1859.

Document B: Frederick Douglass (MODIFIED) We...sat down among the rocks and talked over the [plan]. The taking of Harper's Ferry...was now declared as [Browns] settled purpose, and he wanted to know what I thought of it. I at once opposed the measure with all the arguments [I could think of]. To me, such a measure would be fatal to [helping slaves escape], as was the original plan, and fatal to all [who participated]. It would be an attack upon the Federal Government, and would array the whole country against us. Captain Brown did most of the talking on the other side.He did not at all object to rousing the nation; it seemed to him that something startling was just what the nation needed. He...thought that the capture of Harper's Ferry would serve as notice to the slaves that their friends had come, and as a trumpet, to rally them to his [cause]. He described the place[s defenses], and how impossible it would [be] to dislodge him[once he possessed it]. ...I told him, and these were my words, that all his arguments, and all his descriptions of the place, convinced me that he was going into a perfect steel-trap, and that once in he would never get out alive; that he would be surrounded at once and escape would be impossible. He was not to be shaken by anything I could say, but treated my views respectfully, replying that even if surrounded he would find [a way to get] out...he [would have hostages]...if worse came to worse, to dictate terms of [escape]. I looked at him with some astonishment, that he could [have such a weak plan].
Source: In this passage, Frederick Douglass describes his last meeting with John Brown, about three weeks before the raid on Harpers Ferry. This account was published by Douglass in 1881 in The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.

Document C: Editorial in Pittsburgh Gazette (MODIFIED) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1859 We...disapprove [of] his mad and folly-striken act, but the unselfishness of the deed; [John Browns] moderation, when victorious, over the town which he captured; his...courage in defending himself and his fellows, and his [attitude when imprisoned];...and his manliness in all things, will not be quickly forgotten; but rather...this heroic old man's character will...compel thinking men to ask themselves whether it is John Brown...or the system of slavery which has failed in this conflict. The execution of the old man at Charlestown yesterday, was a plain admission on the part of Slavery that they dare not spare a brave man's life, and that [kindness] is impossible to a system based on wrong and upheld by violence. [...] Slavery in all...its triumph and power is a failure; and old John Brown...has succeeded -- Sampson-like -- in dragging down the pillars of Slavery in his fall, and his victory is complete! While millions of prayers went up for the old martyr yesterday, so millions of curses were uttered against the hellish system which so mercilessly and ferociously cried out for his blood.

Source: Excerpt from an Editorial in the Pittsburgh Gazette. Pennsylvania was a northern state and did not permit slavery.

Document D: Editorial in Wilmington Daily Herald (MODIFIED) Wilmington, North Carolina, December 5, 1859 It is useless to disguise the fact, that the entire North and Northwest are hopelessly abolitionized. We [have no better evidence than] their [actions] in this Harper's affair. With the exception of a few papers...the great majority have either sympathized with the offenders, or maintained...silence. Let us look calmly at the case: A sovereign State, in the peaceful enjoyment of the rights guarantied by the Constitution, has been invaded by an armed force, not foreign mercenaries, but citizens of the same [country], and [the states] people shot down in...public.... Why is this thing done? Why is murder...committed? -- And who are the perpetrators? The answer is...that the State whose territory has...been invaded is a Southern State in which the institution of slavery exists according to the law and the gospel; and the actors in the terrible drama were...carrying out the...teachings of our Northern brethren. The "irrepressible conflict" between the North and the South then, has already [started]; to this [conclusion] it must come at last. Where has there been any evidence of [northern restraint]? Meetings upon meetings have been held for the purpose of expressing sympathy for murderers and traitors; but none, no, not one solitary expression of horror [or disapproval] for the crime committed, have we yet seen from any [northern state].
Source: Excerpt from an Editorial in the Wilmington Daily Herald. North Carolina was a southern state; it permitted slavery.