We deeply regret this outbreak; the way to emancipation is peace. But we will not, by one reproachful word, disturb the bloody shrouds of John Brown and his compatriots. They dared and died for what they felt to be the right, though in a manner which seems to us fatally wrong.
Next post: Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, Oct 20, 1859 →
Printed the same day: Charleston Mercury →
The post above is condensed. From the original, word for word
"Believing that the way to Universal Emancipation lies not through insurrection, civil war and bloodshed, but through peace, discussion, and the quiet diffusion of sentiments of humanity and justice, we deeply regret this outbreak; but remembering that, if their fault was grievous, grievously have they answered it, we will not, by one reproachful word, disturb the bloody shrouds wherein John Brown and his compatriots are sleeping. They dared and died for what they felt to be the right, though in a manner which seems to us fatally wrong."
Greeley's famous sympathetic-but-distancing first word — 'fatally wrong' yet not one reproachful word against the dead — the split posture the Democratic press attacked from both sides. Cross-checked against the LoC page scan (sn83030213, Oct 19, p. 4).
Read it in the original — Furman Secession Era Editorials transcription ↗
Northern press · Republican Condensed — not verbatim Not matched to the source on our last check — see the record