Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-26
THE DEATH OF JUDGE DOUGLAS.

letter from Chicago relates the following in rela.
tion to the closing of the life Of Judge Doug
las:
At about eleven o'clock, on Sunday morning,
Bishop Duggan called at the request Of friends, to
converse with Mr.. Douglas, who was then, for the
first time, perfectly rational. Mr.. Douglas immedi-
atey recognized the Bishop and expressed his graft
fcaton at the visit Bishop Duggan soon asked
Mr.. Douglas, have yoG ever been baptized ac
cording to the rites of any church?' Mr.. Douglas
replied: Never"
The Bishop continued-"D Do you desire to have
mass said after the ordinances of the holy'Cathoc
church p No sir; when do 1 will communicate
with you freely"
The Bishop then turned to Mr. Rhodes and said
"Do you think he is fully possessed of his mental
facuties" Mr.. Rhodes replied: ~ do not know
perhaps you had better ask him again"
The Bishop repeated the question, to which Mr..
Douglas answered, in a strong, full voice: "You,
perhaps, did not understand me- When desire it,
will communicate with you freely"
The Bishop then remarked to Mr.. Rhodes, " He
is undoubtedly in his right mind and does not desire
my offices?' 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 of the day, and in
the evening seemed much refreshed Mrs Douglas
and Mr.. Rhodes remained with him during the night.
At about four on Monday morning he seemed to be
much worse and sank rapidly his friends were sent
for, and at the request Of Mrs. Douglas Bishop Dug
gan again visited him. Soon after the Bishop enter
ed, he approached 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 ceremony of extreme JUNCTION to be per-
formed?" Mr.. Douglas replied: mo, | have no
time to discuss these things now"
The Bishop then withdrew. After he had gone
Mrs. Douglas requested Mr. Rhodes to ask her hus-
band if he desired the miniStrations of any other
clergyman. Mr.. Rhodes then said 10 Mr.. Douglas -
DO you know the clergymcn Of this cityr To
which Mr.. Douglas replied NEARLY every one of
them"
Mr.. Rhodes-Do yon wish to have either or any
of them call to see you, to converse upon religious
subjects? Mr. Douga>-No. thank you
Soon after this, about five o'clock, he desired to
hav. his position in the bed changed. the blinds
opened and the windows ra<el. Mr.. Rhodes lifted
him tn an eaSsr position, where he could look out
upnn the street aud drink in the fresh morning air.
For few moments he seemed to gain new life
Then he began TO sink away his eyes partially clos
ea AMI in slow and measured radences, with con-
siderable rause between each accent he uttered: -
Death death death II"
After this he seemed to revive slightly and Nv
Rhodes asked him whether he had any message to
send to his mother, or sister Sarah or his boys
Rnbhv' and "Stevie; to which he made no reply,
evidently not understanding the question. Mrs
Douglas then placed her arms around his neck and
said, MY dear, do you know Cousin Dan :" "Yesr
he replied.
Mrs. Douglas continued. Your boys. Rohby
and Stevie, and your mother and sister Sarah-have
you any message for them p The dying man re-
plled-"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 lght?" Mr. Douglas replied, 80 that
we can have fresh air."
At Mr.. Douglas request, Mr.. Rhodes changed the
dying mans position again in the bed for the last
time. He now lay rather down in the middle of the
bed upon his left side his head slightly bent for
ward and off the pillow. His wife sat beside him,
holding his right hand in both of hers, and leaning
tenderly over him, sobbing Mr.. Rhodes remarked
to Mrs. Douglas, am afraid he does not lie COM
fOrtable;" in reply to which Mr.. Douglas said, He
is very comfortable"
These were his Inst ineligible words From five
o'clock he speechless, but evidently retained his
consciousness. When, few moments before his
DEATH his wife leaned over him and sobbingy asked
Husband do you know me? will you kiss mey
he raised his eyes and smiled, and though too weak
to speak, the movement of the muscles Of his mouth
evidenced that he making almost dying
struggle to comply with her request His death
was calm and peaceful few faint breaths after
nine o'clock slight rattling of his throat Short
quick, convnlsive shudder, and Stephen A. Douglas
had passed from time into eternity.