The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-01-23
LETTER FROM ALTON.

I noticed in the Caledonian OF the %0li NoV' "
letter copied from the Cincinnati Journal, purPor'-
inr to have been written by citizen OF Aitoh' CIV
inr an account of the tragedy enacted IN our Guy
on the night ofthe 9th of Nov. which resulted III
the death of the Rev. L. p. Lovejoy and man ny
the name of Bishop. The letter referred 10 was
evidently written under high state OF excitement
and contains some statements not strictly correct,
which / attribute partly TO the Interested ana eAct-
ed feelings ofho author, and partly to Inc ucu'ty
of obtaining correct accounts OF the TRANSACTIONS
that night and some days previous, owing to INC
oo,totcd state Of the public mind 1t is important
that the circumstances which led to and eheF'ou
this outrnre should be given TO the public under the
strong impress OF TRUTH both MS 1t REGARDS lis cpcS
upon the public mind, and the character of our city,
which had previously sustained high moral stand
ing among the cities of the West. Mr. Lovejoy, ii
is we'll known was u Presbyterian Clergyman OF
considerable talents, and it is generally conceded
that in his private character he amiabe and II
cn1ouchable He was also an industrious, cneIaet-
ic pcrsc vcring and fearless man, as the course ne
pursued sufficiently proves. With regard to the
propretv of that course, in the last act OF his HE,
us a christian minister, the public may Judge Tor
themselves. The fact that he has voluntarily gwen
himself Il martyr to the cause hc had cspoused, WIl'
doubtless produce its effect upon The symPalhles o
the eastern public, and may bias the opinions OF
many. 1t would seem that the destruction OF four
presses successfully, together with ivy" personal
attacks with view TO iuttct some degrading chas-
tisement (and from which he escaped under pccul-
lar circum, unccs) by the mob, with perfect imPu'
nifty, should have beena sufficient demonstration OF
the power and determination Of the latter to carry
their point, and would have deferred ordinary men
from further attempts to establish Il press OF ''at
character in Alton. The week previous TO The I'M
fortunate affair in question: an aboliuonlst conven-
ton met at Upper Alton agreeable to previous no.
tico given, attended by number of Presbyterian
clergvmen ard others from different parts OF the
S,aie among whom was the Rev. Edward Beccher,
President OF Illinois College at Jacksonville. The
convention assembled and proceeded TO business
A large number Of the proslavery party also attend
ed and outvotcd the abotionsts insomuch that they
found it difficult to pass resolutions, adopt the re-
ports of theg committees. The opposition contin-
ued to assemble and down the motions of the
other party during two or three days session, when
the convention adjourned. Esq Linden, attorney
general, was there and harrangued the pro-slavery
party excited their luminosity against the abolition
lists much possible. On Saturday evening
following the abolitonists held a meeting in the
Presbyterian church in this city, which President
house, but disturbance occurred save the throw
ing few stones. On Sabbath morning President
Boccher preached in the same house, took up the
subject of slavery, proceeded to state that
al and religious subject, it the duty Of christians
to deliberate upon and discuss it, that they had du.
ties perform in relation TO it, from which they
should not shrink, and in that connection took
casion to encourage Mr. Lovcioy and his friends TO
persevero. On Monday evening following some
gentlemen of the neutral party got up meeting of
both parties in the court room, attempted TO bring
the contendng parties to compromise, and allay
the excitement which Mt this time had risen to
fearful heighth, but vain, nothing would reconcile
the pro slavery party but an entire abandonment Of
the object of their opponents. Before the close Of
the meeting MIR Loveioy expressed his determine
lion to persevcre and at the peril of his life de-
fend his rights citizen guaranteed to him by
the laws Of the country. Another press
pected about this time. The spies of the mob
on the alert and in one instance did go on board
boat and examined some boxes, which raised an al
tercation with some of the passengers On Tues
day morning about daylight the steamer Missouri
Fulton landed the press at the ware house Of God
frey, Gilman d Co. The spies ofthe mob had most
ly retired, and the abotionsts had taken the pre-
caution to have armed men in the ware house and
called out the Mayor, who was present. The cap
tain Of the boat also prepared to defend the
press while landing. No disturbance occurred. MIR
W.P. Gilman, the active partner of the firm, was
man generally beloved and respected, though
thorough going abotionst. On the evening Of
this day there gathering at the coffee houses
of the mob party which warned the abolitonists
that a disturbance would take place. They having
provided themselves with arms, assembled in the
warehouse to the number of IS 90, and after IA
consultation determined to defend it, About this
time several boats passed up the river, touching
the levee usual, aud landed passengers One OF
those boats returned at daybreak, and took some
passengers back to ST. Louis, who had undoubtedly
up the afIray, if not to take part in it.
About 10 o'clock the mob having sufficiently excit-
ed their worst passions at their rayng posts, and