The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-04-15

The solemn event which is announced
above, although the public will have been
in some degree prepared for 1t, will be to
the whole country an astounding blow
The uninterrupted health of the deceased
patriot, his robust constitution aud active
strength, up to the last week OF his life,
had left his country men nothing to wish
and nothing to fear in regard either TO his
bodily or mental capacity for tho able dis
charge Of the high trust to which he was
called. The tens Of thousands Of citizens
who assembled to witness the ceremony Of
his Inauguration felt, in the clear tones Of
his trumpet voice, an assurance that he
I possessed health and strength equal to the
arduous duties which Law before him. But
this promise and this confidence we're soon
! to suffer sad reverse. The week before
4 last, pursuing the practice Of his active lie,
and his habit Of early rising and exercise,
Z the President, IN the course of long walk
before breakfast, was oyertaken by slight
shower, and got wet. The following DAY
he felt symptoms Of indisposition, which
were followed BY pneumonia, or bilious
pleurisy, which ultimately batiled all med.
zeal skill, and terminated his yir.uous, use.
ful, and lllustrious life, on Sunday morning,
after an illness Of eigh. days. He expir-
ed little after midnight, surrounded BY
those members of his firmly who were IN
the city, the members OF his Cabinet, and
many personal friends. Immediately af.
ter his demise, the members of his Cabl.
net retired, and drew up aud signed the
above annuncation, and caused 1t to be
published. In the course Of Saturday the
President appeared so much better as to
inspire hopes that his disease would be sub
dued, but about p. NJ. sudden and very
untayorabe change took place, and he con.
tinued TO sink until death closed the scene.
he last time the Presiden, spoke was
at nine O'Clock iitsle more than three
hours before he expired; aud me words
which he then uttered were so remarkable
that they deserve 10 be recorded and re.
membered. While DIR. Worthineton and
one or two other attendants were standing
over him, having Just administered to his
comfort, he cleared his throat, as il deslr.
tancied hlmseIradlhly, and, as though he
some official associate in the UroaeeSsor or
said "SIg, | WISH .YoU TO UNDERSTAND
the TRUE PRINCIPLES or THE GOVERN.
HrNr. | WISH THEN CARRIED oUT, |
ASK No MORE"
/ These bis last words were uttered IN a
distinct voice, aud, as they were well cal
culated to do, impressed the gentlemen
present so soIemnly that DR.. Worthington
Immediately wrote them down for preser.
walton. They present a brief but impress
slye record Of the thoughts which occupi.
Cd the last moments Of the departed pat.
not, and are Characteristic Of the Roman
devotion to his country which animated
him throughout his life, and shone forth
even in the hour Of death. Thus passed
from life, and from the station on earth
most worthy Of noble ambition, this good
and wise and ilIustrious citizen. II Is no,
for Us to attempt to do justice to the solem-
nifty Of the occasion, or to the deep grief
which peryades all hearts. A. more fit
ting and adequate than any thing which
We could say, we quote the impressive Ian
guagc uttered from one Of our pulpits yes.
terday by an eloquent Divine
"The intelligence Of this morning, my Chris.
tan friends has filled thousands Of hearts, and
will I'll thousands more, with sadness and ankle.
~. The Chief Magistrate Of our Union is no
more OAe short month sIncs, amidst the breath.
less attention Of an immense multitude, with
clear and solemn voice, he called God to witness
that he would faithfully discharge tho duties Of
his high office. lie has now gone to appear in the
presence Of that God. The praises Of his friends,
the denuncatons Of his enemies, are alike awed
into silence before this dispersati Of mysteri-
ons Providence. Amid the busy schomings Of
man the Supreme Ruler has manifested his pow
er; and we read with trembling sadness his aw.
fol lesson, Of the uncertlnty Of human life, the
emptiness Of earthly glory.
" ! on have ssea how recently and sadly seem
that the summit Of human power affords no Sc.
curity from the shafts Of death The ilustrions
man, lately almost nations IDOL now los IN the
calm deep sumber which knows no waking till
the final day Those deeds Of service TO his coun.
try which were so familiar 10 the lips Of ihous
ands, aud that fidelity to his country's good, late.
~ 50 ferVently expressed. and we trust 20 sin.
cgrely ieIi--thoac and all ose that graeed his cha
racter have followed him to tho bar Of the Just and
the uorciiul Jadge Before that bar my friends,
we also ara 10 appear We know no, how soon.
Msy We 80 use the present time as to prepare
ourselves f0r that awful hour"