Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-06-20
Senator Douglass Last Hours.

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In his last tdays, he gave those who stood
near to minister to his wants. the most con-
vncing assurance of the depth and earnest-
ness of the lively love of country that filed
his heart. In his waking hours, as;well as in
those moments when the violence of his dis.
ease unseated his great intellect, be was busy
with national events, and the conflict that is
now upon US. 1t was his last wish that the
work which will regenerate the country while
rescuing it from his enemiee should 90 rap
idly on. To one. in a wandering moment,
he said, :" station you at the Relay House
Move on !" Of another be asked, +" Why do
we stand still let US press on Letu to
Alexandria quick p' To still another be said,
Telegraph TO the President, and let the
column move on !" And SO throughout the
progress of the disease which struck him
down, he was thinking of bis country and
her peril. At Washington, in his imagin-
in gs and in the command for which nature
h ID fitted him, and which would have been
bestowed had he lived, he seemed to direct
/
events and dictate victory. And when the
lucid intervals came, he was, if not so en-
phatic, not less sincere. The salvation of the
Republic was uppermost in his thoughts by
day and by night. His own condition, the
imminen: peril of death, his com 2licated afe
fairs gave him no concern. Almost his last
coherent words, were an ardent wish for the
honor and prosperity of the Republic, by the
defeat and dispersion of h enemies. The
country, regardless of party distinctions,
wherever the love of the Stars and Stripes is
not repressed by the terrorism which he
knew and hated, will treasure up his dying
prayer and make his hopes and aspirations
the rule of patriotic endeavor."
In another article the Tribune says
g. 1t was not until some ten days since that
Senator Douglass illness assumed an
alarming type. From the first he had been
attended by some of our beat medical talent,
and latterly it was thought desirable to sum-
mon hither DIR. Miller, of Washington, in
whose care Mr.. Douglas has passed through
former severe illnesses. DR.. Miller and the
Washington relatives of Mrs. Douglas reach
ed Chicago on the 18th ult., and since then
Lave been closely in attendance ulol him.
Throughout the latter part of last week,
Mr.. Douglass condition was deemed ex-
tremely critical, with the chances against his
recovery. His primary attack was acute
rheumatism, which rapidly assumed a ty-
phoid character, and continued from tho first
very unyielding. After some some ten or
twelve days, his malady was complicated by
an liberated sore throat, which soon yielded.
Torpur of the liver and constipation of the
bowels ensued. soon followed by jaundiced
condition, accompanied by poisoning of the
blood, which prostrated his nervous system
still more.
A wandering and delirious state accom-
panied his illness more or less from its in
ception to its fatal close. At such times as
be was rational last week, he seemed aware
of the grave fears entertained in his behalf,
and on one occasion said to those about him,
that he knew his constitution so much better
than they did, he felt confident he should re-.
cover from the attack. Doubtless his will
and courage, joined to his great physical
powers, had much to do with his 80 long con-
tinuing to resist malady before which fee
bier men would have rapidly succumbed.
Throughout Saturday it was feared be
could no: survive many hours. As night
fall drew near, without any positive change
having taken place 10 his disease, he yet
seemed easier, and SO passed the night. lie
had only brief intervals of consciousness af.
ter this, but lay in quiet state, gradually
but surely sinking. At times be briefly ral-
led, but it was not to a clear conception of
what was transpiring about him. On one
occasion, indeed, it was evident that memory
and habit Of mind was strong in the dying
statesman, and that his thoughts were once
more in the Senate Chamber. One of his
physicians, DR.. Hay, was administering a
blister. "What are you doing9" asked the
patient; stop, there are twenty against me,
the measure is defeated p
AT an early hour yesterday morning he
had an interval of rallying. was rational,
eonv ersed briefly with those about him, and
then sank gently and quietly until ten min
utes past A. Nj. when he breathed his last
quietly and without struggle.
Ills devoted and loving wife remained
with him to the last moment. Madison
Cults, bis brother-in-law, Miss Young of the
fremont House, B. G. Caulfeld and Dr. Hay
were also present."
H6r The number Of letters directed to par
ties in the seeded States is not materially
decreased from the number sent before the
issuance of the Postmaster Generals procla-
nation. If persons are fond of writing mis-
siyes which find their way only to the dead
letter cfice, we congratulate them on ths op,
portunity now presented to carry out their
desires. The stoppage of mail matter to the
rebellious States is complete, and will con-
tinus SO till the rebellion is crushed.
Observation-Disclosures Ward, of wax
figure notoriety, styles the rebel government