The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-30
Waterbury Democrat, NE~ TLs4,

Mir Editor:
 There has been much discussion recently, and some fears expressed on the freedom of the press in the United States. The freedom of ex- pression through the press is one of the corner stones of our United States. There are those who would curtail, if not destroy, the right of free press. The action for a memor- ial to Elijah Parish Lovejoy recently started at Waterville, Maine, by Colby College, is~ belated but worthy object to honor the man that was slain in upholding the right of a free press.
 Lovejoy was born at Albion, Maine, November g, 1902, graduated from Colby College, 1926. He soon after in the same year, migrated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he be- came a teacher in 1928, he became editor of the National Republican Journal. In 1892 he becanaee-a preacher of the Presbyterian church at Philadelphia, was resident of Newport, R. l., and New York, and returned to St. Louis late in 1882, and became editor of the Journal, "St. Louis Observer issued weekly. The editorials of April 16, 1885, came out and were Anti-Slavery, advocat- ing that at distant day slavery be abolished.
 On October 5, 1885, committee of citizens petitioned Lovejoy to de- sist on the exciting question of slavery in Missouri. Lovejoy re- piled that, T do not yield to the wishes expressed by the Commit tee, and in consequence have been persecuted ever since" This was his answer of October "A, 1887, and Lovejoy in an address soon after said that no man can deny him free expression. The true issue to be decided is whether he has the civil, the political right to discuss slavery or not. The Constitution of Missouri gives me the right of free opinion in the press, and I am citizen of the United States and Missouri, free-born, have never for feited the privileges, and will not surrender them, and am ready to suffer, and if need be to die for them.
 Lovejoy removed to Alton, H., the printing press was taken from St. Louis by boat and landed on shore. It was seized by a mob and des- troyed. A new press was obtained from Cincinnati, and the first issue was September 8, 1886, continued until at Alton, August IT, 1887. Edi- torials continued on Slavery. On July II, 1887, committee requested him to avoid discussion on Slavery. He replied, So long as I am an American citizen and American blood runs in my veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, and to publish whatever I please on any subject being amenable to the law of my country for the same"
 On the 24th of July, the Commit tee again petitioned tovejoy, and he addressed them with, T do not recognize you as official, as whether Slavery should or not be discussed. If did, should virtually admit that the liberty of the press, free dom of speech, were subject of other control than by those of the law, as it was won for us by our forefathers. I do not admit that 1t can be called into question by any body of men,"
 On the 21st of August a mob en- tered the printing building and des- troyed the press and type. The au- thorities of Alton did nothing.
 On August "A, 1887, Lovejoy issued an appeal for law and order. He ob- tained a new press from Cincinnati, September 21. 1887, and stored it in warehouse at Alton. A mob broke in and destroyed the press.
 Lovejoy preached at St. Charles, Missouri, on October 4, 1887, = he was mobbed at his mother-in-laws house. The next day he made his way back to Alton with his wife. Members of his church told him that he had no one to thank but himself for his persecution, and would not protect him or his paper. At a church synod meeting, Mo-