Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-04-01
DEATH OF OWEN LovEJOY.

DEATH OF OWEN LOVEJOY.
Hon. Owen Iovejoy, NJ. c. for the 9Th dis-
trict Of Illinois, died at Brooklyn, N. Y, on
the 25th inst He was born in Albion. Me-,
Jan. 6, 1911, and was therefore in his fifty
fourth year The son of clergyman, who
titled farm to add enough to his salary for
the support OF large family, Owen Love-
Joy had the very best sort Of New England
education, resulting in stalwart body, a
clear head, and generous heart. he labor
ed on the farm until he was eighteen, worked
his way through Bowdoin College by teach,
ing, and in 1885 migrated to Alton, Illinois,
where he studied theology, under the care Of
his elder brother, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy.-
In 1888 be was settled as Pastor Of the Con-
gregational church Of Princeton, Illinois,
which position he held until 1854, when he
was elected to the Legislature Of Illinois. In
1856 he was elected to the 95th Congress,
and he was serving his fourth term in Con-
gross at the time Of his death.
We have said that he had generous heart.
II was a genial mana man Of warm sym
pathies but he was man Of very deep feel
ins--we may say of strong passions; and
this was best illustrated in his intense hatred
Of slavery Most thoroughly did he hate it,
and never did man more justly hate it. He
bad seen the minions Of slavery murder his
brother for slavery's sake. That msrtyrdom
was never forgotten never did slavery cross
his path without getting blow that would
have been mortal if mortal blow man could
give. And slavery impersonated. in masters
who cracked their lash on the floor of Con-
gress, reused in him deadly ire. and it was
ever bravelJ shown. The New York Herald
well says that among the MANY fiery ora
tors in that fiery period preceding the with
drawal Of the Southern members from Con-
gress, Owen Lovejoy was perhaps one Of the
most eminent" Nor was he eminent as an
additional only. The Herald adds that he
was man Of extraordinary eloquence, and
mad reputation for industry and brave
ry.' This is all true. He was more than
eloquent man Of sterling sense, Of rich hu-
NOR. Of sharp wit, and we have heard it said
that he was the most effective speaker Of the
great West on the stump. We can easily be-
lieve il. But bis reputation will stand chiefly
as the Orator Of Freedom, the hater Of OPP
preston, and the deliverer Of the oppressed.
Well do we remember the vain attempt Of a
gang Of slavocrats to intimidate and silence
him on the Aoor Of the House. In violation
Of all rules of docorum, they advanced upon
him IN body, with threats Of word and ges-
turo as il they would murder him on the in
slant. Standing firmly in the spot he had
taken, in the areI in front OF the Speaker ;
chair, he stood alone, with clenched fists and
angry GESTURES and fierce denupciations. defy
ing all their malice. They were towards, led
by the cowafdly Pryor, or his defiance would
have stung them to the EXTREMIST outrage
We should not have been surprised had be
been murdered on the spot But the Speak
er in,ertered to enforce the rules, not upon bis
cowardly assailan,s, but upon Lovejoy. BY
the rules, he had the right to address the
House either from his seat or from the Clerk s
desk, but not from the place where be stood.
Instantly submitting to the rule, he took HE
stand in the clerks desk, and directly 'front.'
ing his assailants and the southern side OF
the House, he poured upon them such tor
rents Of indignant elcqusnce as never before
had tingled their ears, and never will again.
We felt that it was at the hazard Of bis life
and had not every assassin known that in any
contest with him it would be life for life, we
believe he would have been murdered
The hero the great orator, the good man
has gone. We do not expect to see his like
/ again We do not mean to forget him. In a
recent visit to Washington, one Of the pleas
ATTEST antieipations was to renew our acquain-
tance with Owen Lovejoy. We did visit him,
I in his sick chamber but we did not think it
was for the last time. Nov we know that
the journey was not in vain.