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 * Elijah Lovejoy **

Criticism of American Society and Goals: Elijah Lovejoy was a champion of free speech and free press. He was also an abolitionist, though he did not identify himself with the movement until July 1837. He saw no evil in slavery at first but eventually moved in the direction against it. He came to believe that all slaves should receive immediate freedom. Some suggest he became an abolitionist after witnessing a slave being burned at the stake. His goals obviously consisted of the abolition of slavery and with it the freedom of press.

Methods Used to Improve American Life: Lovejoy made his impact on society through his writing. He began to publish a weekly newspaper in St Louis in 1833. He began to publish anti-slavery editorials and received numerous threats from those in the community. His press was eventually destroyed, in July of 1836, by a white mob. Lovejoy moved to Alton, Illinois where he bought a second press. He was a strong supporter of the Anti-Slavery Society of Illinois, which enraged the Alton citizens. The second press was also destroyed. The same outcome resulted with his purchase of a third press. Lovejoy did not give in to the violence though, and decided to acquire another press. On the night of November 7th, 1837, a mob arrived ouside of the building holding the new press armed with stones, rifles, and pistols. A group of Lovejoy supporters tried to defend it but their efforts were unsuccesful. Elijah Lovejoy was shot five times and killed. His death became widely known across the country. He was America's first martyr to freedom of the press. He died bravely rather than forsake his editorial principles.

Success in Promoting the Reform: Lovejoy had an enormous impact on the nation. He only lived for 35 years but still managed to get his message across. When faced with mob violence and risk of death, he held his ground. All four of his presses were destroyed but the priniciple of perseverance is the key here. Lovejoy was an outspoken advocate of abolitionism. He endured in times of hardship. In 1952, the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award was established to honor and preserve the memory of this determined man. It is given to a member of the professional press who continues the Lovejoy heritage of fearlessness and freedom.

Practicality of Actions: Overall, Lovejoy's fight for freedom of press and the abolition of slavery were practicable. The mob attack at the Godfrey & Gilman Warehouse, where Lovejoy was killed, was the first, but unrecorded, battle of the Civil War.

How the Federal Government Could Have Helped: With support from the federal government, Elijah Lovejoy might not have perished at an early age of 35. If the government had laid its fist down and crushed the issue of slavery at the time, one might believe that innocent lives could have been saved. Also, the government should have tried to prevent harassment by the mob. In his last stand, Lovejoy only had the support of volunteer militiamen who opposed mob violence. Alton did not have a police force. Sending some sort of aid was a responsibility that passed by their heads, apparently unnoticed.

References: Lucretia Mott - She was also an abolitionist who co-founded the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Mott attended the World Anti-Slavery Conference in 1840 and was one of the few women there. Lovejoy and Mott were two determined individuals.

Wendell Phillips - He was another abolitionist who went so far as saying that the South should be expelled from the Union until slavery was abolished. Phillips had outstanding speaking skills and spread his opinions through public speaking. Lovejoy was a master of pen and Phillips a master of speech. Together they could have left an even larger mark on history.

Bibliography: "Alton, Illinois - Civil War Era - Elijah Parish Lovejoy." //AltonWeb - Community Information Center for The River Bend - Southwestern, Illinois//. Web. 06 Oct. 2009. [].

"Elijah Lovejoy." //Spartacus Educational//. Web. 06 Oct. 2009. [].

"Elijah Lovejoy Surrendered His Life for Free Speech, Free Press and Free Men." //The Beall Mansion//. The Beall Mansion. Web. 6 Oct. 2009. [].

"Elijah Parish Lovejoy." //Colby College | Four-Year Liberal Arts College in Maine//. Colby College. Web. 06 Oct. 2009. [].