The national Republican., 1860-12-10
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
JOHN G. CALHoUN's VISION.

ri JOHN G. CALHoUN'S VISION.
The following most remarkable and singular
story was furnished for the Philadelphia Quaker
Cay, in the winter Of l849-'50, by its Washing.
ton correspondent, and was at the time quite
generally copied into the leading papers Of the
day. A renewal Of the exciting issues Of that
time render the supernatural lesson particular
ly appropriate for to-day. Read it, all you
who would sever with unhallowed hands the
sacred bonds that unite in peace and prosper
ty all the God. given blessings that have descend
ed 10 us from former generations. Read it, all
you who would raise an unhallowed hand to
pluck single star from our national escutch.
con, or erase single stripe from the banner of
the free. Read it, all ye who deliberately and
unblushingly lay plans for the dismemberment
of all that the true American holds dear, and
the true patriot cherishes as his blood Thought
birthright, and remember, that though that
hand may be palsied in this life, yet the mark
of the traitor shall rest upon it in the world to
come:
Mr.. CALHoUN's DREAM.
Mr.. Editor: The other morning, at the
breskfasttable, our friend, the Hon. J. c. Cal
houn, seemed very much troubled and out Of
spirits. You know he is altogether veners-
bic man, with hard, stern, Scotch-Irish face,
sofened in its expression around the mouth by
a sort of sad smile, which wins the eye Of all
who converse with him. His hair is snowy
white. He is thin, tall, and angular. He re.
minds you Of Old Hickory. That he is honest,
no one doubts he has sacrificed to his fatalism
his brightest hope Of political advancement
has offered up, on the shrine Of that necessity
which he worships, all that can excite ambi-
tion--eveu the Presidency of the United
States.
But to my story: The other morning at the
breakfast table, where l, an unobserved specta.
tor, happened to be present, Calhoun was OBJ
served to gaze at his right hand, and brush it
with his left in hurried and nervous manner.
He did this so often that it excited attention.
At length, one Of the persons composing the
breakfast party, (Toombs, a member Of Con-
gress from Georgia,) took it upon himself to
ask the occasion Of Mr.. Calhouns disquetude.
Does your hand pain you ?" he asked.
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather fur.
ried manner, " Pshaw! 1t is nothingl Only a
dream which had last night, and that makes
blotch-upon the back Of my right hand an
optical illusion, l suppose"
OF course these words excited the curiosity
of the company, but no one begged the details
Of this singular dream, until Toombs asked,
quietly:
"What was your dream like? am not very
superstitious about dreams, but sometimes there
is good deal Of truth in them"
"But this was such peculiarly absurd
dream" said Mr.. Calhoun, again brushing the
back Of his right hand; however, if it does
not too much intrude upon the time of our
friends, will relate it to you"
Of course the company we're profuse in their
expressions of anxiety to know all about the
dream. In his singularly sweet voice, Mr. Cal.
houn related It:
"At a late hour last night, as / was sitting
in my room engaged in writing, was aston
ished by the entrance Of visiter, who, without
o word, took seat opposite me at my table,
This surprised me, as l had given particular
orders to servant that should on no occa
sion be disturbed. The manner in which the
intruder entered, so perfectly selfpossessed,
taking his seat opposite me without word, as
though my room and all within it belonged to
him, excited within me as much surprise as in.
dgnation. As raised my head, he spoke:
"'What are you doing, Senator from South
Cardinal
"I did not think of the impertinence at first,
but answered him voluntarily:
"'1 am writing plan for the dissolution Of
the American Unionl' (You know, gentle.
men, am expected to produce plan OF dsso.
luton in the event of certain contingencies.)
"To this the intruder replied in the coolest
manner possible:
Ex-senator from South Carolina, will you
allow me to look at your hand-your right
hand?'
"He rose; the cloak FELL and beheld his
face. Gentlemen, the sight of that struck me
like thunder clap. 1t was the face of dead
man, whom extraordinary events had called
back to life. The features were those Of Gen.
eral George Washington yes, gentlemen, the
intruder was none other than George Washing.
ton. He was dressed in Revolutionary costume
such as you see preserved in the Patent Office. ,
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently much
agitated. His agitation, l need not tell you
was shared by the company. Mr.. Toombs at
length broke the embarrassing pause. Well
well, what was the issue of this scene?" Mr. Cal
houn resumed:
"The intruder, as have said, rose and asked
to look at my right hand. AS though had
not the power to refuse, extended it. The
truth is, felt strange thrill pervade me at his
touch ;he grasped it, and held it near the light,
thus aHording me full time to examine every
feature Of his face. 1t was the face of George
Washington, gentlemen. l shuddered as
beheld the horrible dead-alire look Of that Wis
age. After holding my hand for a moment
he looked at me steadily, and said, in quie
way: ~. ID w;,h III, hand s.,,.o- e.o,, Cont,
Carolina, you would sign your name to papel
declaring the Union dissolved?"
O. answered in the affirmative. Yes sale
l, if a certain contingency arises, will sigr
my name to the Declaration Of Dsunion.' Bu
at that moment black blotch appeared on tn,
back of my hand-an inky blotch that seen
to see now. What is that?' cried /, alarmed
know not why, at the blotch upon my hand
"That,' said he, dropping my hand, that i
the mark by which Benedict Arnold is know
in the next world
I" He said no more, gentlemen, but drew from
beneath his cloak an object which he place,
upon the table-placed it upon the very pape