Narrative of Riots at Alton: In Connection With the Death of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy

by Edward Beecher

Excerpt from Narrative of Riots at Alton: In Connection With the Death of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy
It often happens that events, in themselves of no great importance, are invested with unusual interest in consequence of their connection with principles of universal application, or with momentous results. Of this kind are the events which preceded and led to the death of the Rev. Elijah P. Love-joy: the first martyr in America to the great principles of the freedom of speech and of the press.
Of these events I propose in the following pages to give an account. The facts are of a nature sufficiently astounding in any age, or at any time. The destruction of four printing presses in succession; the personal abuse of the editor, from time to time by repeated mobs; and his final and premeditated murder!
Still more astounding are they when we consider the country in which they occurred. Had it been in revolutionary France; or in England, agitated by the consequent convulsion of the nations; there had been less cause for surprise. But it was not. It was in America - the land of free discussion and equal rights.
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Genres: History

163 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1970

About the author

Lyman Beecher fathered Catharine Esther Beecher, Edward Beecher, a noted clergyman and educator for abolitionist views and writings, Henry Ward Beecher, and Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_...

Reviews

[Jean Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read. However, I found it interesting that there was no mention of the abolitionist purpose (the abolition of slavery) in the book. Slavery, the enslaved and the enslavers rarely figured here. I was struck by this passage from Lovejoy:

“Sir, I dare not flee away from Alton…No, sir, the contest has commenced here; and here it must be finished. Before God and you all, I here pledge myself to continue it, if need be, till death. If I fall, my grave shall be made in Alton” (Pg 56).

[S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this e-book on Barnes & Noble instead:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/narr...
(The Amazon link went to a blank page with a picture of a dog.)

[Ebook Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, the e-book version can be found at:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/narr...