The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-14
Tho Last Hours Of Judge Douglas.

A Chicago correspondent OF the New York
Herald has the following relative to the las,
public service of Judge Douglas-onc Of pure
patriotism-and also the closing scene Of biz
life:
Tho last great act of Judge Douglas life
was performed in this city on the night oil
the first day of May last, when he made a
most powerful argument in favor Of sustain
ing the government in its prcsant unhappy
crisis, at all hazards and at every cost. Upon
that occasion he clinched the riyet that bound
tho Democracy Of the great Northwest in the
bonds of union. His words rolled out in un.
broken cadenccs of patriotic devotion to his
country us they never rolled before. Hi;
great heart swelled in grief ut the thought
that this gcodly land was 80 soon to be made
the scenes of fratricidal strife, and his coun
Gil was to "strike quickly, strike surely strike
fatally, and at blow crush treachery from
the land" Those who then heard bis soul.
stirring eloquenco will, TO the end Of life,
remember Il (; how he appealed to tho latent
energies Of the people, both native and foreign
born; how he wcpt as he portrayed the falling
of the dome from the Temple Of Liberty how
no kindlcd the fires Of patriotism and nation
al pride in tho breasts Of tho most stoical Of
his hearers and rs he closed, how he up
pcaled to the God of nations and of bat.
Ties to hold the destiny Of the common
veal in His own right hand. That wa,
his last. his most glorious and successful Of.
fort. His immense audience with one heart
and one accord rose, as II swayed by some
more than human agency, and, with shouts OF
ovation to their speaker and their common
country, pledged life. and honor, and pure,
and everything that man holds dearon earth,
to tho perpetuity and maintenance Of the go
MUS of democratic republican liberty.
At about eleven O'clock on Sunday morn.
ing, Bishop Duggan called. at the request OF
friends, TO converse with Mr.. Douglas, who
was then, for the first time, perfectly ration.
al. Mr.. Douglas Immediately recognized the
Bishop, and expressed his qualification ut the
visit. Bishop Duggin soon asked;
"Mr. Douglas have you ever been baptized
according to the rites Of any church ?" Mr..
Douglas replied:
| "Neyer."
The Bishop continued" Do you desire
to have mass said after the ordinances Of the
holy Catholic Church," Tho answer was :
"No, sir; when l do will communicate
with you freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr.. Rhodes
and said:
"Do you think he Is fully possessed of his
mental iaculties?" Mr.. Rhodes replied, 81
do not know-perhaps you had better ask
him again" The Bishop repeated his qucs-
ton, to which Mr.. Douglas answered in n
strong. full voice:
"You perhaps did not understand me-
When desire 1t, will communicate with
The Bishop then remarked to Mr.. Rhodes,
ale is undoubtedly in his right mind, and
docs not desire my Offices" lilo then with
drew.
During the day Sunday Mr.. Dougas
seemed TO be much better, and strong hopes
were entertained Of his recovery; he slept
most of the day, and in the evening seemed
much refreshed. Mrs. Douglas and Mr..
Rhodes remained with him during the night.
At abont four o'clock on Monday morning he
seemed TO be much worse, and sank rapidly
his friends were sent for, and ut the request OF
Mrs Douglas, Bishop Duggan again visited
him. Soon after the Bishop entered, he ap-
proached the bedside and addressing the pa
tient said:
"Mr. Douglas, you know your own con-
ditions fully, and In view Of your approach
inc dissolution do you desire the ceremony
of extreme JUNCTION TO DO performed"
Mr.. Douglas replied:
"No have no time to discuss these things
now" d,
The Bishop then Withdrew. After he had
gone Mrs. Douglas requested Mr.. Rhodes to
ask her husband fbe desired the ministrations
of any other clergyman. Mr.. Rhodes then
said to Mr.. Douglas:
"Do YOU know the clcrgymcn Of this city?"
To which Mr.. Douglas replied:
"Nearly every ono Of them"
Mr.. Rhodes-do you wish TO have either
or any Of them call to see you to converse up
on religious subjccts2
Mr. Douglas-No. thank you
soon after this, about fvo o'clock nc de-
s;,od 10 have his position in bed changed, the
blinds opened. and the WINDOWS Ia' .-t ,
Rhodes fitted him to IN easier posture, wnero
be could look out upon tho street. ana drink
in the fresh morning air. For few mo-
ments he seemed to gain new life. Then he
began to sink away his eyes partially closed,
and In slow and measured cadences, with
considerable pause between each accent, he
uttered:
"Dcath Death death W"
After this no seemed to revive slightly' ana
Mr.. Rhodes asked him whether ho had any
MESSAGE 70 ,oud 10 his mother, or sister Saran,