The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-04-15
WHOLE NO.7A4.
Owen Lovejoy.

This eloquent champion oil freedom was
born 10 the town Of Albion, Kennebec Coun-
Iy, Maine, ou the 9th of January, 1911, and
was therefore SO years OF age at the timo
Of his death. His father was a minister
and farmer, and young Owen worked upon
his fathers farm until he was Is years Of
age, when he spent short time In Doigh-
boring academy, and nfterward went to
Bowdoin College, where ne was at the same
time pupil and teacher-psying for his own
tuition by teaching others.
He left college in 1885, and emigraled 10
tho town of Alton, in tho State of Illinois,
where his brother e P. Lovejoy, edited an
anti. slavery newspaper. He remained there
until 1887, when bis patriotic and noble
brother was murdered by q pre.s!avery
mob. He did not leave the town, however,
until he had uttered bis protest against
slavery in spirited and touching bogra-
ply of his martyrod brother. lie then re-
moved TO Princeton, where be became the
pastor Of q Congregational Church, and
where he also became distinguished for bis
uncompromisipg hostility to "the sum of
all villainios" During bis ministry ho was
frequently arrested, sometimes charged with
making incondiary speeches against slavery
sometimes with feeding, clothing, and
aiding fugitive slaves. On such occasions
he chose to plead bis own cause, and when
the case closed, was bis custom to an
nounco to the court and the parties assem-
blcd, where and when he would deliver his
next anti.slavery address.
In this way he labored 10 season and out
Of season-preochipg, locturing, writing,
toling. praying for the abolition OF slavery
till 1854, when be was elected to the State
Legislature of Illinois, where he voted
for Abraham Lincoln as bis first choice
for United States Senator. His talents
and influence we're recognized by bis
constituents, aud in 1855 be was elected to
O scat in the XXXVth Congress, and has
boon reelected to the XxXyIth, ,XXXyIIth
and XXXVIlIth Congresses. winning na-
tional reputation for industry, courage
and eloquence. Among the incidents of his
public career, will be remembered the scene
in the House in April, 1860, in which Pryor
of Virginia undertook to silence him. Love.
joy was speaking with that electric power
which marked bis efforts, when he was in
terrupted BY Pryor with threatening gea-
lures, who said he did not wish to hear any
moro "such trash" Mr.. Lovejoy replied
;, that for six weeks the House bad listened to
the trash of the Democratic members, and
now it was his turn. He was at once warm.
ly and earnestly sustained by the Ropub!i-
V can members. Out of the discussion that
followed grow tho Potter and Pryor chal-
. enge. Mr. Lovejoy was great favorite in
! the district be represented, and he did q
vast deal toward creating and moulding the
political opinions Of his constituents. He
was brave and truthful man, and his prI-
: vate life was without reproach. In person
he was stout und muscular, with o large,
well-baIauced head genial face, and mag
netic eyes, that sparkled when he was en-
gagged in debate. As pastor, he was emf
: nently successful. At Princeton, whore be
settled, he established church which be.
came one of .he most prosperous, infIuen.
~ tial, and wealthy of the churches of the
g. West. Among the members were two
N brothers of Mr.. William Cullen Bryant, the
\ poet and editor. On his election TO Con.
gress he gave up the ministry, anGi devoted
> his attention to politics. In his death the
q country has lost true patriot faithful
}, leader, and an honest man.-I'ribune, 26tl
n sh.