Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-07-04

LOVELOHS8 LAST SFEECHs
Below h the last speech Of this noble martyr
a. reported by Edward Beccher, President Of ILL
nois College. This speech was made just before
his deafh-at time, il viii be perceived, when the
question was pending between him and the citizens
Of Alton, as TO what should be his future course
Rsader,-if you can refrain from tears through the
speech weep least for the age and for the nation
that such man should be sacrificed in such
cause. g.
President Beecher says:
-As Mr.. Lovejoy arose, watched his counte
nance. with deep interest, not to say anxiety;
saw no tokens Of disturbance. With a tranquil
selfpossessed air, he went up to the bar in which
the chairman sat, and in tone Of Deep tender anC
subdued feeling, spoke as fOllows':
-trf SPEECH.
feel, Mr.. Chairman, that this is the
most solemn moment Of my life. feel
trust, in some. measure, the responsible.
tiles which at this hour sustain TO these
my fellow-citizens, to the church Of which
i am minister. to my country and to my
God. And LEI me beg of you, before |
proceed further, to construe nothing that
| shall shy Us being disrespectful to this
assembly; | have no such feellng-far
from Il, and if do not act or speak &C.
cording to their wishes at oil times, it is
because cannot eonscientiously do it,
Il is proper should state the whole mat
teras understand il before this audience
do not stand here to argue the question
az presented by the report of the commit.
tee. MY only wonder is, how the Hon,
gentleman, the chairman Of that commit
tee, for whose character entertain great
respect, though have not the pleasure
Of his personal acquaintance, nv only
wonder is, how that gentleman could have
brought himself to submit to such a re.
port
Mr. Chairman, do not admit that il is
the business Of this assembly to decide
whether [ shall or shall not publish a
newspaper in this city. The gentlemen
have, as the lawyers say, made a wrong
issue. have the right 10 do it. know
that have the right freely to speak ant
publish my sentiments, subjrc. on y to TIT
laws OF The land for the abuse Of tha
right. The right was given me by III!
Maker, and is solemnly guaranteed TO m
by the Constitution Of these United State:
and Of this State. What wish to know
Of YOU IS, whether you will protect me il
The exercise Of this right, or whether q
heretofore, am to be subjected to person
al indignity and outrage. These resolr
tons, and the measures proposed by then
are spoken Of as a compromise; CON
promise between two parties. Mr.. Chat
man, this is not so; there is but one part
here. II is simply question whetht
the law shall be enforced, or whether II
mob shall be allowed, as they now do,
continue 10 trsmple it under their feet, b
violating with IMMUNITY the right OF q
innocent individual. Mr.. Chairman VIII
have I to COMPROMISED Iffreely to 70
give those who have so greatly injurt
me-if TO pray for their temporal ar
eternal happiness; if sill to wish for Il
prosperity OF your city and State, not wit
standing ell the indignities have suffsr'
in IL; IL this be the compromise intende
then do I willingly make It. My RICH
have been shameiully, wickedly outrage
this I know, and feel, and can never 70
get. but can and do freely forgive tho
who have done it.
But If by a compromise be meant, tn
! should cease from doing that whi
duty requires Of me, cannot make IT,
And the reason is, that fear God mo
than tear man. Think not that wou
lightly 90 contrary to public sentime
around me. The good opinion Of =
fellow.men is dear TO me, and | wor
sacrifice anything but principle TO obts
their good wishes; but when they a
me to surrender this, they ask for me
than can-than dare give. Ref
ence is made to the fact that offered,
few days since, to yield up the editorsl
Of the "Observer" into other hands.
This Is true; I did so because it "
thought. or said by some, that perh'
ihe paper would be better patronized
other haads- They declined accept
my oder, however, and since then
have heard from the friends and suppC
ers Of the paper 10 all parts Of them, I
this was, that the paper could be sustain
10 no other hands than mine. Il is q
Z very different question. whether I 81
voluntarily. or Al the request Of frier
yield I'D nv post. or whether shall
sake Il At the demand Of mob. 7
former am at all times ready TO do, WI
circumstance seem 10 require il, as ,
never put my personal wishes or inter
in composition with the cause Of |
Master whose minister l am but
iaiter. BE- assured, / NEVER WILL 30