Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-06-19
The Death Of Judge Douglas.

AZ ABOUT eleNen CLOCK on sunday
morning, Bishop Dnggan called at the re :
quest Of friends to converse with Mr. Doug
las. who was then, for the FIST time per =.
fectly rational. Mr. Douglas Immediately
recognized The Bishop, and expressed his
qualification at. the visit Bishop Duggan
soon asked
Mr.. Douglas, have you ever been bap ID.
tized according to the rites ofany church?'
Mr.. Douglas replied, Never"
The Bishop continued" "Do you desire
ia have mass said after the ordinances of
the holy Catholic church ?" mo sir /;
when do will communicate with YOU
freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr. Rhodes
and said do you think he is fully possess
sed of his mental faculties ?" Mr.. Rhodes
replied, - do not lnow-perhaps you had
better ask him again" Ihe Bishop repeat-
ed his question. to which Nj. Douglas
answered, in strong, full voice; "You per-
haps did not understand me- When
desire it, | will communicate with YOU
freely"
1ae Bishop then remarked to Mr..
Rhodes, "1e is undoubtedly in his right
mind, and does not desire my Offices" lie
then withdrew.
During the day SUNDAY Mr.. Douglas see.
med to be much better aud strong hopes
were entertained for bis rec very he
slept most of the day, and in the evening
seem ed much refreshed. Mrs. Douglas
and Mr. Rhodes remained with him du-
ling the night. At about four o'clock on
Monday morning he seemed TO be much
worse, nd sank rapidly his friends were
sent for, and at the request Of Mrs. Doug.
las Bishop Duggan again visited him.
Soon after the Bishop entered, he APP
preached the bedside, and addressing the
patient said
Mr., Douglas, you know your condition
fully, and in view Of your approaching
dissolution do you desire the ceremo-
ny Of extreme JUNCTION to be performed ?"
Mr. Donglas replied No, have no
tine to di.cuss these things now"
The Bishop then Withdrew. After he
hid gone Mrs. Douglas rqrested Mr.
Rhodes to ask him if he desired the min
istrasions Of any other clergyman. Mr.
Rhodes then said TO Mr.. Douglas :-"Do
you know the clergy men of this city ?"
TO which Mr.. Douglas replied NEARLY
every ore of them"
Mr.. Rhodes-Do you wish to have eth
er or pny OF them to see you to converse
upon rel gious subjects Mr. Douglas
No, ] thank you.
Soon after this about five o'c,ocll, he de-
sired 10 have bis position in bed changed,
the blinds opened and the windows rails
ed. Mr. Rhodes lifted him 10 an easier
position, where be could look out upon
The street and drink in the fresh morning
air. For a few moments he seemed 10
gain new life. Then he began TO sink a.
way; bis eyes partially closed, aud in slow
and measured cadences, With consilera>
ole pause between each Hcce mt, lie utter
ed death i Death l!--De u"
After this he seemed to revive slightly.
and " Rhodes asked him whe her he had
any message to send to lis mother, or sister
Sarah, or his boys "Kobby and Stevie :"
to whieh he made no reply, evidently not
understanding the qustion. Mrs. Douglas
then paced her arms around his neck and
spid, My dear, do you know Cousin
Dan ?'' Yes" lac replied.
Mrs Douglas c1ntinucd-"Iour toys.
Robie and Stevie, and youf mother aud
Sarah--have YOU any message for them?'
The DYING nan replied, "Tell them to o.
bey the laws and support the Constitution
of the United States"
At about five o'clock Dr.. Miller G; me
in.o the room, and noticing the open
shutters and Windows inquired, "Why
have YOU all these windows raised and so
much light?' Mr.. Douglas replied, so
that we Gun have fresh air.
At Mr.. Douglas request, Mr.. Rhodes
changed the dying mans position again
in the bed 70: last time. lie nov lay rNth-
er down in the middle OK the bed, upon
his left side, his head slightly bent for>
ward and off the pillo". His wife sat be-
side him, holding his right hand in both
of hers, and leaning tenderly over him
sobbing Mr. Rhodes remarked TO Mr..
Douglas, 81 am afraid he does NO. lie com.
Portable y in reply to which ", Douglas
said, "he ls--Nery c2.nIortable.'
7 ..ese We're MS last iHlelligible words.
r;ive O'Clock he was speechless, bat evl-
dently retained his consciousness. When
few moments before his death, his wife
leaned over him and sobbingly asked,
Husband, do YOU know me? will you kiss
me ?" he raised his eyes ard smiled and
though to weak to speak, the movments
cf the muscles Of his mouth evidenced
that he was making an almost dying
struggle to comply with her request. His
death was calm and peaceful few faint
breaths after nine o'clock a slight rat
tling fhis threat; ashort, quick, convuI-
siye shudder, and Stephen a. Douglas
had passed from time into eternity. ..
DoUGIAs' LAST EEcH,--The last public
address by Judge Douglas was delivered
before the Illinois Legislature at Spring
Geld, on the 25th of April last, giving his
views on cur existing notional troubles
We give the closing paragraphs, which
will be read with melancholy interest as
the last public address of great states
man:
81 have struggled almost against hope
TO avert the calamities OF war, and eiiec'
a reunion and reconciliation with oui