The organizer., 1850-05-04
From the Charleston Mercury.
0ffieial Account Of the last hours and Death
Of Mr.. Calhoun.

OI Mf. Calhoun.
WAsHlNeToN, d. c. March 81, 1850.
GENrLEMEE This morning, at the
age of 06 years, John C. Calhoun
expired. Long as his death has been
apprehetided, it comes upon Us as an
unlocked for bereavement. The star
Of the Western hemisphere has been
stricken from the armament. 1t be.
longs now to another universe. All
unite in feeling that our Republic has
lost its most brilliant ornament and a
large section its almost idolized cham
pion. During nearly half century
of public life, In which Mr.. Calhoun
has gsHeehAOugh all the various staa-
es of political advancement-save one
from the local to the general Legis>
lature, from the Cabinet to the Vice
Presidency back again to the Senate
he has been regarded as the States
man and Patriot of the age. He now
slumbers in death.
His last hours were in unison with
his whole career.
Yesterday it became clearly appa-
rant that he could survive but a short
period. He was restless and evident
ly weaker, but notwithstanding he set
up for two hours in the early part of
the day. He conversed very little un.
ill evening, when some letters were
read to him, upon which be comment.
ted, lie spoke of the feeling of the
South on the present agitating SUBJ
ject, and expressed his confidence that
there would soon be but one senti.
ment, that the Southern people would
unite as one man against Northern
aggression. His confidence in the
Southern people was unwsvering to
the last.
At half past ~ o'clock he COM
meneed breathing heavily, which 0c.
casioned some alarm to his son, DR..
CALHOUN, the only member of his fam
lily present during his last illness -
He remarked that he felt unusually
wakeful, and requested his son to lie
down, who objected. Then he asked
his son ifhe felt uneasyi His son re-
Piled IL doI had you not better take
some wine, fatherr He replied mo.
] don't require any more stimulous."
His son felt his pulse. remarking, that
it was very low. Mr.. CALHOUN said:
al feel that ! am sinking; but you had
better lie down john" His SON did
as he was requested, but felt very un.
easy, as the difficulty Of breathing still
continued.
At2 o'clock this morning, he called
in very feeble voice: "John. come
to me-" He did so, when Mr.. Calhoun
put out his arm and asked him to feel
bis pulse, remaking. 81 have no pull
sation at the wrist. Take my watch
from the table and put it in your
trunk" which was done. He then
pointed 10 a bureau Of draws, and
said: "Take my papers, and put them
also in your trunk" (These papers
are the manuscript work on Govern
ment and the Constitution.) Tie
then remarked: "The medicine has
had a delightful effect. ] am in a
perspiration." Atabout 5 o'clock, his
son took a seat by ihe fire, desiring
his father 10 take some rest, who said
be had not rested at all. His son
asked II he had any paint He repli-
ed: mo, have not felt the slightest
pain throughout this whole attack"
His son asked: "Are you omfortable
nowi" lie replied: Il am perfectly
/" These were the last
words Of Mr.. Calhoun.
Al about a quarter before siH be
made a sign with his hand for bis son
10 approach the bed. Holding out
his hand, he took that Of his son,
grhsped il closely, looking very in.
ienlly into his face, and moving his
lips as IL he desired to speak. His son
perceiving that he was speechless, az
once called the Hon. Mr.. Venable, Of
North Carolina. When the latter
went TO bis bedside. Mr. CaIhoBn |
took bold of bis hand. pressed il, and
presented bis wrist apparently to indi.
cate his approaching dissolution. He
looked Mr.. Venable very intently in
The face while be was feeling bis
pulse. Mr.. Venible remarked: sYou
are pulseless SIR. and mDst take some
wine,n and called for Madeira. Mr..
Calhoun pointed 10 the wardrobe
Mr.. Venable got tie wine from thence,
md poured ont bali q iumbler FULL
NJ. Calhoun took in bic hand, raised
bic head and drank il. Mr. VenabIe /
hen leG the room 10 summon some |
friends, and was absent about Eve