Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-09-21
RI, vou have been exhoyted TO be lenienl

But YOU have been exhoyted TO be lenenl
md compassionate, and in driving me away
10 afiiy no unnecessary disgrace upon me.
Sir. reject oil such compassion: You
cnnpo, disgrace me. Scandal, 'alsehood
aud calumny have already done their worst.
INV shoulders have borne the burden till it
sits easy upon them. You may hang me
ND Us the mob hung up tho individuals at
V,cksburg; you may burn me at the stake
os they did Mcintosh at St. Louis; you
NAV tar and feather me, or throw me into
the Mississippi, as you have often threat.
ened to do but you cannot disgrace me-
]. and alone, can disgrace myself, and the
deepest of oil disgrace would be, at time
like this, to deny my Master by forsak'ng
his cause. He died for me, and | were
most unworthy to bear his name, should |
refuse, if need be. to die Tor him.
Again, you have been told that have a
family who are dependent on me, and this
has been given US reason why should
be driven off as gently as possible. 1t is
true, Mr.. Chairman, am husband and a
father, aud this it is that adds to the bitter.
est ingredient Of the cup Of sorrow am
called to drink. am made to feel the
wisdom of the Apostles advice, at is bet
ter not to marry" know, Sir, that in
this contest stake not my life only, but
that of others also. | do not expect my
wife will ever recover from The shock re-
ceved at the awful scenes through which
she was called to pass at st. Charles
And how was it the other night on my
return to my homer | found her driven
into the garret through fear OF the mob,
who were proving round my house. And
windows were broken by the brick. bats OF
the mob, and she so alarmed as to render it
impossible for her to sleep or rest that
night. am hunted as partridge on the
mountain. am pursued as felon thro'
your streets. TO the guardian power OF
the law look in vain for that protection
against violence, which even the vilest
criminal may enjoy. Yet think not that
am unhappy. Think not that | regret the
choice that have made. While all around
me is violence and tumuIt, all is peace
within. An approving conscience and the
rewarding smile of God are full recon-,
pense for oil that forego, aud all that
endure. Yes, Sir, enjoy peace which
nothing can destroy; sleep sweetly and
nndisturbed, except when awakened by the
brick. bats Of the mob.
no, Sir, l am not unhappy; have
counted the cost, and stand prepared freely
to offer up my all in the service of God.
Yes, Sir, am fully aware of all the sacri-
flee | make, in here pIedgiDg myself TO
continue this contest to the last. Forgive
these tears, had not intended to shed
them, and they flow not for myself but for
o,hers.) But am commanded TO forsake
father and mother, and wife and children
for Jesus sake, and as his protested dsci-
pie stand plede ed to do it. The time for
fulfilling this pledge in my case, it seems to
me. has come. Sir, dare not flee away
from Alton; should attempt it, should
feel that the angel of the Lord, with his
flaming sword, was pursuing me wherever
went. 1t is because fear God, that |
ON not afraid of oil who oppose me in this
city. No. Sir, the contest has commenced
here, and here it must be finished. Before
God and you all. here pledge myself to
continue, il need be, till death; and if |
tall nv grave shall be made in Alton.