The Illinois State Historical Library has within its holdings an impressive series of both the St. Louis and Alton Observers. Editions have been photographed and placed on microfilm for the convenience of the researcher. The selections below represent a small portion of the editorials written by Elijah Lovejoy during his career as editor of the Observer. Several transcriptions come directly from the microfilmed editions, while others were taken from the Memoir of the Reverend E. P. Lovejoy.
October 8, 1835 Suspension of the discussion of slavery by the St. Louis Observer.
November 5, 1835 Lovejoy's response to anti-abolitionist feeling in St. Louis.
July 21, 1836 Lovejoy's response to the ruling by Judge Lawless.
July 21, 1836 Movement of the paper from St. Louis to Alton, Illinois.
July 6, 1837 Call for the formation of the Illinois State Anti-Slavery Society.
September 11, 1837 Lovejoy offers his resignation as Editor of the Alton Observer.
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