Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-10
sIR. CALHOUN.

This distinguished Senator closed his earthly ca
reer, at his lodgings in Washington City, on the
Slst Of March A great luminary has dropt from
the potica! armament into the fathomless ocean Of
Eternity. We look for his place and his radiant
light in the constellation Of intellect, but darkness
magic mind, as in rhe collision Of debate he chal-
lenged the admiration of friends and foes, but look
in vain. His contemporaries and compeers are there,
sadly scanning each other across his vacant seat -
soon TO follow, and wondering that they had not
gone FIRST Such is man.
A correspondent Of the N. Y. Herald gives the
following account Of his last moments:
During the whole of Saturday il was evident to those
who had sccess the sick chamber that the lamp Of
life nearly extnguished. and that if within few
hours change did not take place for the better his de-
mise might be confidently expected Indeed, ne seem
ed conscious himself that his mortal was near
close.
At about 10 O'Clock last night Mr. venable, Of North
Carolina read to him s,me letters which address,
ed to MIR. Calhoun by persons at distance, and which
reached w ashngton by last evening IS mall
About half past II this morning change took place
for the He had been unable for some hours pre-
voas 20 raise the after from his lungs and his son
remarked
site of no use; receive no relief am sinking
Place me back as was. have NO pulse in my wrist !;
feel it, The medicine Gan opiate) has had charming
effect. feel warm glow over my system"
He noticed that his son was very. much alarmed ana
said Why do you sit up? You had better go TO sleep
His breathing had become very difficult. he eald,
"Breathing has become very harrassing TO me-" HIS
son lay down on q couch him, but not to sleep. At
about MIR. Calhoun calling him said "John come here
believe all that medical skill can do will be OF no avail
feel my pulse have Take all my loose papers
out Of the drawers also my watch and lock them up in
my trunk"
He made the same request last evening. At quarter
before six he spoke the last words that were audible
| al am resting now very easily"
Mr.. Vcnable, of North Carolina, who occupied the
next room was called, and came in MIR. Calhoun ex
tended his hand his eyes Were very bright, and ne
was perfectly conscious, but did not speak MIR.
Venabe found that he had pulse, and poured out
part of glass Of Madeira He raised his head drank
! it. and then sank back upon his pillow. Mr. Orr and
d. Wallace, of South Carolina, came in When the
door closed Mr. Calhoun turned his eyes in that di
rection and perfectly conscious OF everything that
passed. He squeezed his sons hand convulsively; his
! lips moved, and his eyes were very expressive. HIS
voice could not be heard and when some one leaned
over him. as il listen, he moved his head as 1t to
say al canno, speak" His breathing was very hard
until FIVE minutes before his deaih One hand rested
upon his breast and he raised the other and placed 1t
once or twice upon his head Probably the last rush OF
blood panied him. When the breath left the body It
was like long. drawn breath. 1t was the last and all
was over He died as easy as an an infant, and was
perfectly conscious until the last spark oil life had ned