The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-07
The LAST HOURS OF SENATOR DOUGLAS.
Our chicago Correspondence.

CHICAGO, Ill. June ., 1851,
Commencement Progress and Termination of His Illness
Inte,piesv srth the Roman Catholic Bishop-Mr. Douglas
Firmly Declines His Religious Antarations-Last Utter
ances-"Death, Deatt, Death"-Loyal Message t1His
Children: "7e 7h.m to Obey the Laos and Supper. the
Conssutien Of tie Unilsd States"
How shall describe the scene here today The city
is in mourning II say that feeling of deep aud pain
full solennty pervades aKcirces, toll but moesy of
the truth the city socially reels like asorm riven ship,
under the announcement that "Jsdge Douglas dead"
he expired At ten minutes past nine o'clock this
ing his apartments in the fremont House. and though
his death had been expected from day to day. still when
It announced publicly that the great intellectual
giant Of the nation bad yielded to his grim adversary,
strong men bowed In and sorrow; great men
forgot past differences and spoke only Of his
many virtues; good rejoiced that his death
had been peaceful as the meeting Of attn
waters, and all men mourned the bereavement as OF
brother. needed the cut of his death to
show the funess Of the honor and respect in which he
held. TO attempt to portray the gloom that over
spreads the city would be to paint the darkness OF mid
nghtto track the thunderboltto stay the whrlwind
Douglas name ia on every lip; his virtues the
words Of the street; his great acts
upon every corner. Everything but Douglas and his
death forgotten. Tears their paths down manly
faces that have not known tears since chdhotd and all
parties all sec,s all circles join in mourning and honor
ing the memory of this the conspicuous Of modern
men.
Judge Douglas arrived in Chicago from Washington on
the LIST day Of May ast and took up his abode at the
fremont Hotel. On the 4th be complained OF slight
cold, which soon settled into confirmed fever He
rallied, however, on the 13th, and on the 10th
he was able to go Into the open air. On the
10th, his ply slcans called in hurriedIy TO see
bo hon; uh;cI,
and on the I'D It was announced he could not
recover but he continued to bear against what
as to bis his primary attack wss acue rb hear
matism, which sumed typhoid character and which
became complicated with an liberated sore throat This
and constipation Of the bowels Constant wandering and
deiirium accompanied hisastack from its Inception till
Friday last in the morning, il was announced
that he was out Of danger, and seemed as though
new lie was Infused into the entire community
set in, and he continued TO sink rapidly until
Sunday morning, when he appeared to be much better
aud though bis friends paid unusual attention to HIN
during Sunday hight Still they felt that perhaps the
crisis had passed and be would be restored to his family
to the nation that could lily afford spare 80 able
statesman But at four O'Clock this (Monday) morning
he became worse, and his physiciaus-Drs Mcvicker,
Rhodes Boone Horne-were called to counsel with
DR.. Miller, of Washington, and 1t then recognized
tina, the last day had dawned upon earthly Of
their illIstrioIs friend Durrg bis last hours Judge
and died in the full! enjoy ment Of hope
Of blessed immortality. he coaversed as freely
allow, and in each word aud accent gave evidence
that deep devotion to his country that characterize hA
palate in great the keenress aad pognancy of
tie grief Of those relatives whom he has left benlnd
Mrs. Douglas sussains her affection with true Christian
spirit her grief as il must be, beyond tho power OF
tongue pen to describe, she controls but few OF
either sex coud under such healtlending circumstances
and in her tris evidences the depth and fervency of
hiatt IN tc her Of m,
and matIon She is coDsoled by the preseBce of hsr
brother and, believe, her parents and other kindred
aud friends
~ TUESDAY, Juns 4, 1861.
TIE last great act Of Judge Douglas life performed
in this city the night Of the hs. day of May last
when he made most powerful argument in favor Of
sustaining the government in Its present unhappy crisis
at all hazards and at every cost Upon that occasion he
onched the rvet that bound the OF the great
Northwest in the bonds OF union; words rolled ou In
un5roken cadeDces Of patriotic devotion TO his country
as they never rolled before his great heart sweled in
grief at the thought that this goody land 10
be made the Of ratrcidal srfe and his counsel
was to strike quickly strike surely strike fatally,
and at blow crush treachery from the land Those who
then heard his soul stirring eoquenco WILL to the end
Of hfe, remember Il; how no appealed to the latent
energies of the people, both native and foreign born;
how he wept as he portrayed tie falling Of the
from the Temple Of Liberty how he kndlsd the fires Of
m and national pride in the breasts OF the most
stoca Of his hearers and he closed how he appealed
the God OF nations and Of battles 70 hold the destiny OF
the common veal in his own right hand That was his
Iast, moot glorious and successful effort HH i'm.
mense audience with heart and accord rose as
il swayed by some than human agency and, with
shouts Of ovation to their speaker and their common
country, pledged life and honor and purse and every
thing that mon holds dear on earth to the perpetuity
and maintenance OF the genius Of democratic republican
liberty.
.. about eleven O'Clock Sunday morning, Bishop Dug
gan called at the request Of friends TO converge With Mr.
bougl@ who wss then for the first time perfectly "a
.nS M bls al the Visit Bishop Dug
gan asked:
stMr Dougas have you ever been baptized according
TO the rites or any church, Mr. Douglas replied
"Never."
The Bishop contoued-"Do you desire TO have mass
said after ordinances OF the holy Catholic church,
The answer ves;-5 fi r.
Ono. err when~I do I will communicate With you
freely" ,.It
TIE Bishop then turned 10 Mr. Rhodes and said
ssDo yau think he fully possessed Of his mental Ia
A aalk rxAun