Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-06-29

with good humor, gentleness and
kindness, naturally ardent in feeling,
cheerful and social as a companion
in the pulpit dignified and solemn. as
son, brother. husband, father. kind
and sympathetic. greatly beloved by
all.
And the soul within? Convinced
of the sin of slavery and earnestly
desiring, as he said release from the
thraldom in which we are held" he
advocated gradual emancipation and
meanwhile due respect for the rights
Of all classes of citizens. But the
slaveholding community demanded
not moderate discussion but absolute
silence and the destruction Of the
Observer was threatened.
The speaker WILDLY related the
story of the struggle made by Love-
joy against what seemed overwhelm-
ing odds to the final act of the thrill
ing drama.
Lovejoy had deliberately and
prayerfully decided on his course to
defend the Dress. and- he and the
friends Of law and order made ready
to defend. A volunteer company was
formed according to law and its
services rendered to the Mayor. Dur
ing the night of November 6 the
press came and was taken to the up
per floor Of a stone warehouse where.
it was felt, it would be safe. Love-
joy and his friends guarded that
night without attack and with the
morning he was happy for he thought
the crisis was over. All in vain. The
next night the armed mob appears.
They demand the press. The de-
tenders refuse to give it up. Then
the attack, the crash ct breaking
glass and of rife shots. The de-
tenders fire and one. Of the mob is
killed; then ladders and fuel to fire
the wooden roof: the Mayor comes
to the scene but cannot compel the
mob to desist. At its request he en-
tiers the building to tell the defend
ers that the mob will have the press
at all hazards: 1t awaits his return:
the defenders ask will he not cali on
certain citizens to prevent the dc
struction of the building? He can
not his official authority has bccr
tried and IS vain. Shall they Gnrand
by arms? He says they have per
feet right by law to do SO. "W,
shall dcfe 4 the press at tho cos, al
life If ncel be-" The mayor cnn y;
back with this message to the mol
Then shouts oe Fire the building
Burn them out" Shoot ovcrj
damned aDoiitionist as he leaves"
Dafa
be attack. an attack on those with
out. Lovejoy and a select few go
outside.
An incendiary standing on the lad
der is shot and the mob sinks back.
The defenders return to the building
to load. Then Lovejoy and some of
; MS brave band go out again. There
he stands a little in front of the
others. looking about him, a shining
| mark for venomous hatred. From
lurking places Of concealment flashes
| or lame and five missiles of death
speed to that mark: MORALLY wound
| ed but strong to the end he stag
gers back into the building and uo
the stairs to fall, almost, as it were,
| IN the presence of the press he gave
| his life to defend. The defenders
are now forced to leave the building
and the mob with yells enters and
| accomplishes it's set purpose Tho
press is destroyed.
| so fell Lovejoy for freedom, this
oauntless triumphant spirit, on the
Gay before he would have been 35
years old. But as he was borne to
MS last resting place between two
stately oaks, there were heard Song
the way SCOTS and teers.
Fitting indeed was it that Co,bv
should engrave upon her war media,
bestowed yesterday Lovejoy defend
Ing his press.
The mob has accomplished it's set
purpose! Yes, and what more >
Throughout the north in speech and
press rose the cries of men who have
oeen stirred to their very depths.
Slavery had raised its head and
struck. 1t is bloodthirsty and win
sweep everything from its path.
Dreams are shattering. The truth. the
AWFUL truth. appears. ut has given "
said John Quincy Adams "a shock
as or an earthquake throughout this
continent which will be felt in the
most distant regions of the earth -
On December 8, 1887 at a meeting
held to denounce the murder Of !
Lovejoy in that Cradle of Liberty /"
Faneuii Hall, the attorney Genera,
OF Massachusetts,, opposing the
s.rons resolutions Of William Ellery
Channins, charged Lovejoy with pre-
sumption and said "Lovejoy died as |
the fool dieth." A young LAWYER IN
the audience went forward to an
swer. He spoke on the spur of the
moment. His voice had never no.
fore been heard there. The audierc.
was stormed and the Attorney Cen |
eral overwhelmed. In his euloey at
the funeral Of Wendell phiilins
George Williams Curtis said. there
nad been In the history Of the coun-
Try three great speeches. Patric<
Henry's Liberty or Death" I,inco,n,s
Gettysburg Address and this sneech
OF Wendell Phillips in Faneuil Hail
these three and there is no fourth. /"
There had been those who said
Prudence required Lovejoy to leave
Alton and 60 elsewhere" Two wears
after the close Of the Civil War
Phillips went to Alton. In a letter
written by him there he said How
pruoently most men creep into name. |
less graves, while now and then one
or two forget themselves into I'm.