The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-14
THE LAST HOURS OF DOUGLAS.
CHICAGO IN MOURNING.
Departure Of the laemsatsss,


The Chicago papers come ladened with
evidence of the deep sorrow which pervades
Chicago; at the death of the illustrious Sem
ator. We copy from the Chicago papers
of the 4th, extracts indicating the feeling
of that community, and descriptive of the
last hours of the deceased.
From the Chicago Tribune.
The intelligence of the decease of the H.
lustrious Senator, fell yesterday upon q
community not unprepared for so sad an
event, as the loss of the country, and to our
State, of one whose place can be but lily
filled.
When lately Senator Douglas returned to
this city, he appeared as the object and re-
cipient of noble ovation, memorable
among all the welcomes ever rendered by
Chicago to those she delighted to honor
he made his last speech to an immense au-
dience, who for the last time heard the full
tones of his voice in an open and manly
stand on the important issues of the day,
wherein spoke the patriot and the true man,
spoke, and then sank through the painful
gradatiOns of a chamber of illness, to silence
evermore.
That meeting will never be forgotten by
those who witnessed its glorious proof, how
O common love of country had blotted out
party lines, abolished political enmities, and
made to be recognized only the tests of
faithfulness to the country and the laws.
This was the cosummatior of the life work
of Senator Douglas. Long protracted la.
bors and exertions, physical and mental
had taxed constitution that must have
been of iron to endure so much.
Grave fears had been entertained in Mr..
Douglas behalf on the more recent occasions
of his severe illnesses. He was not well
when he appeared before his audience at
National Hall, Wednesday evening, May
LIST, and spoke with difficulty, not noticea-
BILE to his audience, but confessed to several
of those friends who clustered about him to
grasp his hand. To one of these he stated
that he was unfit to appear in public, and
should now seek rest, a rest he so much
needed, ere be again entered on his duties
at Washington. Little did he or those be
addressed, deem that his work was done, its
rest the grave.
Senator Douglas was accompanied on his
journey to Chicago by his wife, leaving the
two sons at school in Georgetown, d. G.
They took their accustomed quarters at the
fremont House. The next day, May I'd,
physician was called. 1t was known about
town that Judge Douglas was i'll, then that
his condition was serious, and since then
the anxiety of his friends has been inces-
SAINT, until their worst fears are realized in
his decease which took place yesterday
morning.
1t was not until some ten days since that
Senator Douglas illness assumed an alarm
ing type. From the first he had been at
and latterly it was thought desirable to
summon hither DR.. Miller, of Washington,
in whose care Mr.. Douglas had passed
through former severe illnesses. DR.. Mil
Ter and the Washington relatives of Mrs.
Douglas, reached Chicago on the 25th ult.,
and since then have been closely IN atten.
dance upon him.
Throughout the latter part of last week,
Mr.. Douglas condition was deemed ex-
tremely critical, with the chance against bis
recovery. His primary attack was acute
rheumatism, which rapidly assumed ty-
phoid character, and continued from the
very first unyielding. After some ten or
twelve days, his malady was complicated
by an liberated sore throat, which soon
yielded. Torpor of the liver and constipa-
tion of the bowels ensued, soon followed by
jaundiced condition, accompanied by pois-
oning of the blood, which Frustrated 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 he 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, be felt conf
dent he should recover from the attack.
Doubtless his will and courage, joined to
his great physical powers, had much to do
with his so long continui ing to resist NAL
ady before which feebler men would have
rapidly succombed.
Throughout Saturday it was feared he
could not survive many hours. AS night
all drew near, without any positive change,
having taken place in his disease, he yet
seemed easier, and so passed the night. He
had only brief intervals of consciousness
after this, but lay in quiet state, gradual
ly but surely sinking. AT times he briefly
rallied but it was not to clear conception
of what was transporting 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 doing?" asked the
patient, " stop, there are twenty against
me, the measure is defeated"
At an early hour yesterday morning he
had an interval of rallying, was rational,
conversed briefly with those about him and
then sank gently and quietly until ten
minutes past nine A. NJ, when be breathed
bis last quietly, and without struggle. :.
His devoted and loving wife remained
with him to the last moment. Madison
Cults, his brother in law, Miss Young, OF
the fremont House, B. G. Caul6eld, and