Ten men died in the Harpers Ferry raid and four escaped. In a New York Times editorial Henry Raymond wrote in October 1859, “The story of Harpers Ferry, judged on its own merits, demonstrates little or nothing of immediate significance, either political or social” (Finkelman 119). In the court case John Brown was found guilty of treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia. On December 2, John Brown was executed. On the day of his execution Brown said: “I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land: will never be done away with; but with Blood. As I now think: I flattered myself in vain that I could do it without bloodshed; it could be done. The other six raiders were executed over the next three months. Many abolitionists felt sadness over the event, but fearful Southerners took action