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LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS 213

observed him with reverence. Whenever he spoke his words commanded
earnest attention. His arguments, which I ventured at some points to oppose,
seemed to convince all; his appeals touched all, and his will impressed all.
Certainly I never felt myself in the presence of a stronger religious influence
than while in this man's house.

In person he was lean, strong, and sinewy, of the best New England
mould, built for times of trouble, fitted to grapple with the flintiest hardships.
Clad in plain American woolen, shod in boots of cowhide leather, and wearing
a cravat of the same substantial material, under six feet high, less than
150 pounds in weight, aged about fifty, he presented a figure, straight and
symmetrical as a mountain pine. His bearing was singularly impressive. His
head was not large, but compact and high. His hair was coarse, strong,
slightly gray and closely trimmed, and grew low on his forehead. His face
was smoothly shaved, and revealed a strong square mouth, supported by a
broad and prominent chin. His eyes were bluish gray, and in conversation
they were full of light and fire. When on the street, he moved with a long,
springing race horse step, absorbed by his own reflections, neither seeking
nor shunning observation. Such was the man, whose name I had heard in
whispers, such was the spirit of his house and family, such was the house in
which he lived, and such was Captain John Brown, whose name has now
passed into history, as one of the most marked characters, and greatest heroes
known to American fame.

After the strong meal already described, Captain Brown cautiously
approached the subject which he wished to bring to my attention; for he
seemed to apprehend opposition to his views. He denounced slavery in look
and language fierce and bitter, thought that slaveholders had forfeited their
right to live, that the slaves had the right to gain their liberty in any way they
could, did not believe that moral suasion would ever liberate the slave, or
that political action would abolish the system. He said that he had long had
a plan which could accomplish this end, and he had invited me to his house
to lay that plan before me. He said he had been for some time looking for
colored men to whom he could safely reveal his secret, and at times he had
almost despaired of finding such men, but that now he was encouraged, for
he saw heads of such rising up in all directions. He had observed my course
at home and abroad, and he wanted my cooperation. His plan as it then lay
in his mind, had much to commend it. It did not, as some suppose, contemplate
a general rising among the slaves, and a general slaughter of the slave
masters. An insurrection he thought would only defeat the object, but his
plan did contemplate the creating of an armed force which should act in the

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