Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-07

We love occasionally to refer to the noble
speech of the martyr Lovejoy to the mobocratic
citizens of Alton. Perhaps our readers will thank
us for re-printing it.-[Boston Chronicle.
When Mr.. Lovejoy had obtained the floor in
that meeting where it was resolved to gag him,
he came forward in front of the audience and
said
Mr.. Chairman,-It is not true, as has been
charged upon me, that l hold in contempt the
feelings and sentiments of this community, in
reference to the question which is now agitating
it. l respect, and appreciate the feelings and
opinions of my feIlow-citizens, and it is one Of
the most painful and unpleasant duties of my life
that l am called upon to act in opposition to
Them If you suppose, sir, that have published
sentiments contrary to those generally held in
this community, because l delighted in differing
from them, or in occasioning a disturbance, you
have entirely Inexperienced me. But, sir, while
| value the good opinion of my tellow-citlzens, as
highly as any one, l may be permitted to say that
| am governed by higher considerations than Ell
ther the favor or the fear of man. l am impel-
led to the course | have taken, because l fear
God. As | shall answer it to my God in the
great day, | dare not abandon my sentiments, or
cease in all proper ways to propagate them.
/, Mr.. Chairman, have not desired or asked
any compromise. | have asked for nothing hut
to be protected in my rights as a citizen-rights
which God has given me, and which are guaran'
teed to me by the constitution of my county,
Have |, sir, been guilty of any l~niraction OF the
laws! Whose good name have | injured! Wher
, and where have / published any thing injurious
to the-reputation of Alton! Have | not, on tn
u other hand, labored, in common with the rest O
: nv fellow-citizens, to promote the reputation am
interests of this city! What, sir, | ask has bee
:, nv ofence9 Put your finger upon it-define
:, and / stand ready to answer for it. III hav
!. committed any crime, you can easily convict mi
"A You have public sentiment in your favor. 70
have your juries, and you have your attorne,
docking at the Encouragement and have =
doubt YOU can convict me. But if have bee
guilty of a violation of law, why am huntt
~ up and down continually like a partridge upC
y, the mountains Why am l threatened with ii
"' tar-barreR Why am l waylaid every day, ar
r. from night to night, and my life in leopar'
ed every hourl
You have, sir, made up, as the lawyers say,
-. false issue; there are not two parties betwe
- whom there can be a compromise. plant m
o,o self, sir, down on my unquestionable rights, a
the question to be decided is, whether shall
in protected in the exercise and enjoyment of the
r,r rights-that is the question, sir; whether my p
o.. perty shall be protected; whether shall be S
nm fered to go home to my family at night, With
being assailed, and threatened with tar and fea
ers and assassination; whether my afflicted vi
whose life has been in jeopardy. from contln'
alarm and excitement, shall, night after night,
driven from a sick bed into the garnet, to s
her life from the brickbats and violence OF
mobs; that, sir, is the question" Here, mi
affected and overcome by his feelings, ne b.
into tears. Many, not excepting even his c
mics, wept-several sobbed aloud, and the s
pathies of the whole meeting were deeply e
ted. He continued: "Forgive me, sir, tina
have thus betrayed my weakness. 1t was tn
fusion to my family that overcame my fell
Not, sir, l assure you, from any fears on
part. l have no personal fears. Not that
able to contest the matter with the whole com
nifty; know perfectly well | am not. kr
sir, that you can tar and feather me, hang MT
or put me into the Mississippi, without the