Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-02-09
MISCELLANEOUS,
John c. Calhoun's Dream.

n correspondent OF the MISSISSIPPI w hlg
has cut from an anonymous pamphlet an
account of dream Of Mr. Calhoun, about
the time of the stormy sectional agitation
which preceded the adoption of the Com
! promise measures of 1850:
Mr., Calhoun, it seems, was drawing up
a plan for the dissolution of the Union,
when, late at night, being very much ex-
hausted, he fell asleep and had the follow
ing dream, as related by himself:
AT late hour last night, as | was sit
ting in my room writing, l was surprised
at the very unceremonous entrance of a
visitor, who came in and took seat oppos-
ite me.
Il was more annoyed, as had given
strict orders to the servants that | should
on no account be disturbed.
The manner in which be entered-per-
fectly self possessed-taking a seat oppos-
ite me-without word, no salutation-no
apology-as though my room and all with
in belonged to him, excited in me as much
surprise as indignation. As | raised my
head to look at him over the top of nv
shaded lamp, discovered he was wrapped
in thin cloak, which completely hid his
features from my view and, as [ raised my
head, he spoke:
What are you writing, Senator from
South Carolina? | did not think of his
impertnence at first, but answered him in
Voluntarily am drawing up plan for
the dissolution of the American Union ?
To this the intruder replied in the coolest
manner possible:
Senator from South Carolina, will you
allow me to look at your right hand?
He arose, and as he did so the cloak
fell, and [ beheld-GREAT GOD GENTLE
MEN! | BEHELD THE FORM OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON
AS though [ had no power to resist,
extended my right hand [ felt strange
chill pervade me at his touch-he graspcd
it and held it near the light, thus atfording
me full time to examine every feature of
his face, and particularly Of his person.
1t was the face of Washington, and he was
dressed in the uniform of the Revolution
After holding my hand for a moment, look
ing steadily at me, he said, in quiet way:
And with your right hand, Senator from
South Carolina, you would sign your name
to a paper declaring the Union dissolved ?
Yes said |, if certain contingency
arises | will Just at this moment black
blotch appeared on the back of my hand
/ seem to see it even now! what is that?'
cried | in alarm, why is that black spot
on my handv
That said he dropping my hand, is
the mark by which Benedict Arnold is
known in the next world
He said no more, but drew from be-
meath his cloak an object which he placed
upon the table, on the very paper on which
had been writing The object, gentle
men, was skeleton
There said he, with emphasis, there
are the bones of Isaac Hayne, who was
hung by the British in Charleston. He
gaze has life to establish the Union. And
when you sign your name to declaration
of dissolution, you may as well have the
bones of Isaac Hayne before you. He
was a South Carolinian, and so are you
but no 6lotch aCas ON has hand
with these words he left the room. l
started from the contact with the dead
mans bones and awoke! Overworn by
labor had fallen asleep and been dream
ing
Many other instances might be recited
10 show that some of the most important
events to man that have occurred since or
der was brought forth from chaos, and the
Almighty rolled the planets from His palm
and set the spheres in motion, have been
more or less connected with dreams. May
not this dream of Calhoun's have happy
influence on the perpetuity Of our glorious
and happy Union?