Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-08-25
PIRIT OF THE PRESS
ACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.
PHILLIPS IN FANsulL HALL,

PHILLIPS IN FANEUIl HALL,
To the editor of the Springfield Re-
publican: There are men and women
It'll living who remember more or less
If the excitement in the country con-
|equent upon the murder of Rev. Elijah
p. Lovejoy while defending the building
obtaining his printing press at Alton,
Ill.,. in 1897. The event and the senti-
'hents it evoked from the lovers of
liberty are worthy of remembrance at
his time. Perhaps the people of Bos-
on as much as the people of any other
lily should recall the notable meeting
held in Faneuil hall, "to notice in a
|uitabe manner the recent murder"
chiefly instrumental in calling it was
Dr. Claiming, the world-renowned
Irvine, who was among the foremost to
spouse the cause of anti-slavery, as he
vas among the foremost to detect en-
roachments upon the liberties of the
3itizen. lie headed the petition to the
mayor and aldermen of the city for the
Sc of Faneuil hall. The petition was at
Irst denied, but agitation ensued and it
vas granted. The memorable meeting
vas held Dec. s at 10 o'clock in the
|norning. The old Cradle of Liberty was
rowded to overlooking, the audience
being composed of Garnet anti-slavery
hen. politicians who were afraid of
| gitation, and another set who were
eady to yell down the aboitionists.
The meeting was presided over by Hon.
Jonathan Phillips and prayer was Of
cred by Rev. f. NJ. P. Wells, who knelt
.pon the platform before the assembly.
Then DR.. Claiming addressed the meet
ng. Following his address the reso-
utions by him prepared were read by
BENJAMIN f. Hallett. The resolutions
we're supported by George S. Hillard in
speech "fervid in eloquence, chaste in
language and noble in sentiment"
Thus far all showed fair for harmony,
but discord was lurking and presently
cared its head. The attorney general of
he state, Austin his name, mounted the
platform. He pronounced the reso-
utions mere abstract propositions. He
aid it was idle to call meeting to
firm by solemn vote what nobody
would deny. He could not see how
.oveioy had merited the distinction of
being so concentrated. He accused
i'm of melting the slaves to rise upon
heir masters, and compared the slaves
o wild beasts thirstlng for blood. He
ikened the mob at Alton to the fathers
( the Revolution, and concluded by
aging it was not the best way to put
own mobs by sympathzing with those
Who had been mobbed for their rashness
melting a mob. His speech called
orth "shouts of approval and Kisses of
ontempt, alternately drowning each
ther." There was great uproar last
ng for several minutes. 1t looked as if
he appeal that had been made to
prejudice and passion by one Of the
ighest officers of the state would cause
he meeting to end in confusion and
Without a vote.
yer be memorable in the annals of
Boston and indeed of the country.
Wendell Phillips, young lawyer, all
Unknown to fame. sprang to his feet and
ook the stage. lie began by expressing
is "surprise at the sentiments of the
asst speaker-surprise not only at such
entiments, but at the applause they had
icited within these walls" Attempts
we're made to silence the bold youth, but
n he went till he reached this climax in
is philippe 81 thought those pictured
fps"-pointing to the portraits in the
all-"would have broken into voice to
ebuke the recreant American, the SLAM
kerer of the dead. The gentleman said
hat he should sink into insignificance if
be dared to gainsay the principles of the
resolutions. Sir, for the sentiments he
las uttered on soil consecrated by
prayers of the Puritans and the blood of
PATRIOTS, the earth should have yawned
nd swallowed him up"
A tumult of applause and counter-ap-
Plause followed this unexpected volley
rom one whose daring and genius were
|nly suspected by the comparatively few
Who had known somewhat of his temper
nd culture. Recalling the tone, look,
GESTURE and defiance of the young orator,
PLANNING in after years was wont to
peak of the spectacle he presented as
morally sublime" His speech, though
ollowed by the able one of George
Bond, was undoubtedly the controlling
orce that won the day. The resolutions
we're adopted by decisive majority.
Two of the II resolutions which eX-
pressed the judgment of Boston in 1887
Would seem to be eminently appropriate
or consideration in 1899. They are as
ollows -
Resolved, That it has pleased God to
ommit to this people, above all others,
he cause of human freedom; that we are
allied to the high Office of manifesting
he power of free institutions to ennoble
nd bless people; and that in proving
alse to the trust we shall not only cast
way our own happiness, but shall
,etray the interests of the human race
nd shall deserve the condemning SEN
ence of all nations and of future time.
Resolved, That among our right we
hold none more dear than the freedom OF
peech and the press, and that we lool
O this as the guardian of all Other
lights and the chief spring of human i'm
brovement.