Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-06-20
VOL. Xiv.
A Striking Picture.


| A scene at the White House in 1883
the lodgings of John c. Calhoun, the sam
night, and death bed scene at the Hermitag
is thus graphically portrayed by the Sena
tor from Pennsylvania. Mr.. Cowan, in the de
bate on the eonfiscation Bill:
Mr.. President, if Calhoun had been execa
| ted for his treason in 1883, there would havf
been no rebellion now; and perhaps he cam
nearer bis execution than most people are a
ware. Yoa well know the conspirators il
South Carolina proceeded then even to thi
/ commission Of the overt act. Calhoun wa!
their chief adviser. Gen. Jackson knew i
well, and determined that the law should bt
put into execution against him; not against
the poor misguided men who followed, hui
against the chief conspirator. He had resolv
ed on his prosecution and trial. and if convict
ed his execution for treason He said that il
he had an attorney General that would not
draw an Indictment, he would fiId one that
could. Things were approaching the crisis
Calhoun became aware of Jackson's determi-
nation, and sent Letcher, of Kentucky, to con-
fer with him on the subject, and to learn his
real intentions. He went TO the Presidents
House. 1t was then already late at night
The President received him with his usual
eourtesyi bRt sir, that mild blue eye which at
times would Gilt and overflow witb tears Ike
that Of woman, was kindled that night with
uRwonted fire. He reasoned with him for a
while, then paced his floor His Indignation
was roEscd. At times he stoFmed in passion
towering and sublime, till rising to his full
height, bis frame dilaling and qnivering, every
feature glowing with the living features within
with that oath which in him never seemed
prolane, but the struggle of great soul TO
take hold on the Almighty for the strength OF
his purpose, he declared to Letcher that if an
other step was taken, by the Eternal he would
try Calhoun for treason. and, If, convicted,
would hang him oD a galiows high as Humans
Letcher could not misunderstood his purpose.
He saw that he was terribly in earnest. From
that interview he hastened to the lodgings of
Calhoun, He had retired to his bed He
knocked at his bed chamber and was admitted
Calhoun received him sitting up in his bed
with his cloak around him. Lecher detailed
all that occurred giving entire the converse
tion between him and Gen. jackson, and de-
scribing the old hero drinking in eagerly every
woyd, and as Leteher proceeded he became as
pale as death, and shivered like an aspen leaf.
Yes, sir, Calhoun, great as he was in intellect,
quaking in his he'd! And for what? Was it
from fear? from cowarliec2 All 20. 1t was
the consciousness of his guilt. He was the
arcf-traitor who, like Satan in Paradise,
brought odeath into the world and all our
woe Within one week he came into the
Senate, and voted for every section, section by
section, Of Mr.. Clay's bill opd Gen. jackson
was prevailed upon not to prosecute hiEa for
his crime.
have been told upon authority lpon which
I rely, that during the last days of General
jackson at the Hermitage, As he was slowly
sinking under The raYages of o9nsumation-
that mysterious disease which, while II wastes
the body, leaves, if possible, the mind more
clear and more near to inSpiration-h he had
most remarkable conversation with his ra,nilv
physician and fricnd, While lying upan his
bod one day, and speaking Of his administ ra-
tion, he inquired: "What act in my admins
tration, in your opinion, viii posterity con
demn with the greatest scvcrity2n The ply
sician replied that he was unable to answer, it
might be the removal of the deposits "Oh
no." said the General Then it may be the
specie circular Not at ALL" "What was
it then?" Il can tell you" said he, rising in
his bed, his eye 1indIing up, Il can tell you:
poserity will condemn me more because was
persuaded not to try and hang John c. Cal
hoRR as traitor. than for any other act of my
iiic."
Sir. does not this seem to be inspiration
now? If Calhoun, the originator of this CON
spiracy to dissolve the Union and to build up
the Southern ConGederacy, had been executed
for his treaso n then, we should have had no
rebellion now.