The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-06-19
Last Hours of Senator Douglas

morning, Bishop Dugan called at the
request of friends to converse with Mr..
Douglas, who was then, for the first
time, perfectly rational. Mr.. Douglas
Immediately recognized the Bishop,
and expressed bis qualification at the
visit Bishop Dugan soon asked
" Mr.. Douglas, have you been bap-
tized according to the rites of any
church ?" Mr.. Douglas replied
Never"
The Bishop continued Do you
desire to have mass said after the or
dinances of the holy Catholic Church,"
The answer was:
No, sir; when / do I will commu-
nicale with yon freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr..
Rhodes and said:
"Do you think he is fully possessed
ofhis mental faculties 2" Mr.. Rhodes
replied, Il do not know-perhaps you
had better ask him again 2"
The Bishop repeated his question,
to which Mr. Douglas answered in
q strong, full voice
"You perhaps did not understand
me. When I desire it, I will commu-
nicate with you freely"
The Bishop then remarked to Mr..
Rhodes. He is undoubtedly in his
right mind, and does not desire my Of
fees" He then withdrew.
During the day Sunday Mr..
Douglas seemed to be much better,
and strong hopes were entertained OF
his recovery he slept most ofthe day
and in the evening seemed much re-
freshed. Mrs Douglas and Mr.. Rhodes
remained with him during the night.
At about four o'clock on Monday morn
ing he seemed to be much worse, and
sank rapidly +; his friends were sent for,
and, ct the request of Mrs Douglas,
Bishop Dugan again visited him.
Soon after the Bishop entered, he ap-
preached the bedside, and, addressing
the, patient, said:
8" Mr.. Douglas, you know your own
condition fully, and III view of your
approaching dissolution, do you desire
the ceremony of extreme JUNCTION to be
performed.
Mr. Douglas replied:
No, have no time to discuss the sc
things now"
The Bishop then withdrew. After
he had gone, Mrs. Doug las requested
Mr. Rhodes to ask her husband if he
desired the ministrations of any other
clergyman. Mr. Rhodes then said to
Mr. Douglas
"Do you know the clergymen of this
city ?"
To which Mr. Douglas replied
Nearly every one of them"
Mr. Rhodes, Do you wish to have
either or any of them call to seq you
to converse upon religious subjects.
Mr.. Douglas, No, I thank you.
Soon after this, about 5 O'Clock, he
desired to have his position in bed
changed, the blinds opened, and the
windows raised. Mr. Rhodes lifted
him to an easier posture, where he
could look out upon the street, and
drink in the fresh morning air. For a
few moments he seemed to gain new
life. Then he began to sink away
his yes partially closed, and in slow
and measured cadence, with consider
able pause between each accent, he
uttered
Death Death I! Death I"
After this he seemed to revive
slightly, and Mr.. Rhodes asked him
whether he had any message to sent
to his mother, or sister Sarah, or his
boys, "Robby" AMI " Stevie," tt
which he made no reply, evidently not
understanding the question Mrs
Douglas then placed her arms aronnc
his neck, and said
MY dear. do you know Cousin
Dan p
YES" he replied.
Mrs. Douglas continued:
Your boys, Robby and Stevie
and your mother and sister Sarah
have you any message for them ~
The dying men replied;
Tell them to obey the laws and
support the Constitution of the United
States"
At about five O'Clock DR.. Miller
came into the room, and, noticing the
open shutters and windows, inquired ;
Why have you all these Windows
raised and so much light 2"
! Mr.. Douglas replied j:
So that we can have fresh air.
At Mr.. Douglas request, Mr.
Rhodes changed the dying mans pos
ition again in the be for the last time
He now lay rather down in the middle
of the bed, upon his left side, hi
head slightly bent forward and off the
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