The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-09
From the NeW.rk Iaiiy Advertiser.
THE CAUSE OF CANNlNG'S DEATH.

THE CAUSE OF CANNiNGS DEATH
The extract below from Blackwood's Maya
zine for February, 1928, will b- read with deep
and melancholy interest," especially by those who
remember the brilliant minister whose genius
adorned the country and his age. Canning
died just after the close of the Parliament SEES
sion Of 1927; and though there IRE few who
will believe that his death was the result OF
mere ch0grin, his graphic account Of the m
duence of Lord Grey's phillippic, will let the
reader into sad comprehension Of the pains
Of greatness.
at was not out of The culver Of the ex-
Ministers that the shaft was taken, which was
hurled with such calm and deadly strength a
gainst the new Premier, Canning. Had the
memorable speech which held up Mr.. Canning
TO such cold and bitter scorn, come from one
OF the Tories, il might have been imputed to
anger, TO vexation, and desire Of revenge
but the blow came from quarter where no
such artifice could be used to parry il. The
new Premier had suffered the common fate Of
| those who trust TO intrigue and dexterity, ra-
Their than TO bold and manly sincerity he had
no real friends, no one TO throw their shield
over him in his hour of need, and save him
from the stern vengeance Of his naughty en-
emy-Lord Grey saw his opportunity and smote
him to the earth. The newspapers of the day
gave no adequate idea Of the wonderful effect
Of Lord Greys speech on the 18th of May
While he was speaking, and pouring forth in
vectves, which fell like a torrent of bitter wa
tiers, full upon Canning's devoted head, the
House of Peers which was extremely crowd
ed, hung with breathless attention upon his
words; and when he had concluded no man
rose up TO gainsay that which he had spoken.
Mr. Canning's party stood aghast at the fear
full castigation of their leader, and the Tories
felt that anything more would be superi1uous.
In a few minutes the House was empty
mems minds were too full of what they had
heard to allow them to address themselves TO
the ordinary business of the House, and il ad-
journed almost Immediately, notwithstanding
the earliness of the hour. The news flew about
as swift as the wind, that Lord Grey had de-
stroyed Mr.. Canning in the House of Lords,
and it soon reached the Premier himself The
iron entered into his soul-he found he had
climbed pinnacle only 10 be the more con-
spicuous to scorn but he was not man TO
sit down and weep under his notification
His bitter thoughts ashed him into fury:
"'Tis not in words to tell the power,
The despotism, that from that hour
Passion held DER him"
He became fierce and almost savage in his
language and department. He could not com
mand his temper even while he addressed the
House. The heat Of his chafed blood preyed
upon his health, while his noble tormentor, far
from relenting, lost no opportunity of merciless-
y repeating the blow he had given, and throw
ing the superiority Of "his order" into the teeth
Of the ill-fated votary Of popularity whose eeva-
ton he opposed.
ut is said that Mr. Canning intended TO have
closed the session with furious explosion Of
his wrath against the House of Lords an in
tention which all the entreaties Of his friends
would hardly have prevented HIM carrying into
Lnl esLz - Il L.
the Speaker at the critical moment rendered it
impossible for him 10 occupy the chair during a
heightened speech The session, therefore
closed without this opportunity Of venting his
burning heart but his frame could not bear the
agitation which he suffered-he sank down ex-
hausted. His old friends were gone, for he had
forfeited their esteem those who called them
selves his new friends he knew he could not
conhde in, and, In this unhappy condition,
George Canning died-the last OF the rhetori-
clans"
There may be some poetry in this, but il is a
passage Of power, and might have been all true.
II is true 10 nature. Many great man has
been goaded TO death, and few of them sleep
soundly The writer of these lines received a
letter from a member of Congress, a few years
ago, just after he took his seat for the first time
as member. off" said he, al could recon
cile it with my views of duty should resign at
once and come home TO the bosom of those l
| love-" But he remained at his post, and the
turmoils of party broke him down and he came
home for visit of a week and died in the bosom
of those he loved
II may spoil the effect cf Blackwood's account
of the cause Of Cannings death, but as facts
are better than fiction il is well to add the follow
ing from history
Fourteen days before Mr.. Canning's death,
MIR. Gaatn spent six hours with him, two be-
fore dinner, all talking about political affairs and
much Of Mr.. Canning's own situation amid con-
hictiDg parties. Mr.. Gallatn told him he could
never live amid so much business; to be Secre-
tarv for Foreign Affairs in fact First Lord of the
Treasury in fact and name, and not only prime
Minister, but sole Minister. Mr. Canning ex-
| planned that Lord Dudley only took the place oil
pro tempore: but that he had been induced to
come out Of that Office with all the details OF
which he was acquainted and to take the Trea.
sury, by having received letter from an ancient
friend of Mr.. Fox. who told him that Mr.. Fox
always regretted he had not taken that, as there
lies the patronage; "and." said Mr.. Canning
although | might have put friend there, il is
very different TO my asking favor or favor be-
ing asked Of me; and am determined" said
he, moving his hand with a most emphatic
gesture of ambition ito hold the reins while
live" He lived fourteen days. He told Mr.
Gallatin he had not been free from great pain
since the Duke Of York's funeral, when they
kept him in the cold damp vault two hours,
nor slept whole night since Lord Liver.
POOLS illness. Such is worldly honor and The
best thing the worlds possession does for us
THE SERPENT CHARMER OF INDIA
In India The aSamp Wallahu is less blood