The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-04-26
Loyeiov the Martyr.

One day last week, great excitement
was caused in Congress BY the Hon. O"-
en- Logeioy, of Illinois, who delivered an
earnest and powerful philippe against
slavery. In the course of this perior-
mance, the orator alluded to the fact
that his brother had been murdered by
pro slavery men, because he maintained
the right to speak freely upon this subject.
|"You murdered ny brother" be exelaIm'
ed. addressing himself to the Southern
.ide of the House, "for discussing the
slavery question. and now | am here to
reiterste the sentiments for which be laid
down his life--and yom shall hear me. =
He then went on and delivered one Of the
strongest and most withering denuacia-
tions of the whole system Of compulsory
bondage that ever fell from the lips OF
nan.
This event in Congress has aroused
some curiosity with reference to the fate
of the orators brother, which the NY
Post proceeds to satisfy by giving the fol-
lowing brief biographical sketch:-
Elijah P. Lovejoy, the brother Of Owen
Lovejoy, was native Of Maine, aud was
graduated at Waterville College in 1928
He practised law some time in St. Louis,
Mo-, but subsequently entered the church,
became an agent Of the Sunday School
Union, and was finally selected TO con-
duct religious journal in St. Louis. In
bis editorial capacity he maintained the
right of an American citizen to free dis.
cussion; and when q free colored man
was burned to death near St. Louis, be
rebuked the savage outrage in such terms
as it deseived. Aud for this be was dri-
ven out of the State of Missouri He
next established himself at Alton, Illinois,
and begun the publication of paper
called the Alton Observer. In this journ-
al he avowed his opposition to the system
of slavery, and published long exposi-
tion Of his views on the subject. Being
on the border of slave State, his words
raised storm of popular fury. and three
times bis office was demolished and bis
press destroyed; but his friends promptly
came to his assistance, and replaced the
property of which his enemies had robbed
him, in violation of law and justice The
publication of the Observer was therefore
resumed. In November, 1887, Mr. Love
| joys press having been recently destroy
ed and new one ordered, a meeting was
called ostensiby for the purpose of allay-
ing excitement, but really to intimidate
the bold advocate of free speech. Mr.
Lovejoy appeared at this meeting. and
in brilliant and manly speech defended
the freedom of conscience and the liberty
ofthe press. Soon after his press arrived
and on the 9Th of November, 1887, it
was lodged in stone warehouse, where
Mr. Lovrjoy and some of his friends took
shelter, ready to defend it against an ex-
pected attack. The mob assembled the
sane night aud fred upon the building,
but failing to dislodge the occupants,
they attempted to set fire to the ware
house. Mr.. Lovejoy went out to prevent
them, when he was shot dead, pierced
With three buckshot. Mr.. Lovejoy left
wife and three children. Mrs. Lovejoy
stood by him nobly in his trials, and par
tieularly during brutal assault upon him
previous to the fatal affray at Alton
When Lo'ejoys mother learned the ti-
dings of bis death, she exclaimed at is
we'll | bad rather be should fall q mar
tyr to his cause thanNprove recreans to bis
principles.