Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-08-18
From the New York Ledger.
The Attempt to Assassinate
jackson.
BY JAMES PARTON.


Warren r. Davis, member of the Hous,
of Representatives from South Carolina
was dying at his residence in the city 0
Washington. Though forgotten now, ex
cept in his own State, be was a man o
note in his day, an able speaker, mem
ber of that clique Of Southern Politician
whose centre and chief was Mr.. Calhoun
but a man so estimable that he was helC
in respect by many of the opposite party
He appears to have been sincerely per-
suaded of the truth of Calhoun's nullifica
tion doctrines, and gave them hearty
honest support.
AS he was dying, Mr.. Calhoun called
to see him.
'How are you? inquired the Senator
TO Judge by my own feelings, sale
Mr.. Dayis, much better but by the
countenances of my friends, not
He then begged to be told the truth
respecting his condition, and the phys
ican informed him that he had but few
hours to live. On hearing this, he in
stantly turned toward Mr.. Calhoun, and
beckoned him to come near his bedside
Il hear,' said be, they are giving you
rough treatment in the Senate. Let a
dying friend implore you to guard your
looks and words so that no undue warmth
may make you appear unworthy of your
principles
The Senator was much affected. A
day or two after, Miss Martiueau, to
whom he had told this story, was in the
Senate Chamber, and observed that, un,
der a very sharp attack by Colonel Ben
ton, be exhibited degree Of patience
and moderation that was DOT usual with
him. For two full hours, she remarks,
be sat in stern silence, hearing his verac-
ity questioned, not moving a muscle OF
his countenance and then quietly renew
ing his argument at the point where
Benton had interrupted him. She at
tributed this to the effect Of his friends
last admonition.
Mr.. Davis dying while Congress was
in session, be had public funeral. The
funeral of a member of Congress at the
Capitol is always a solemn and imposing
ceremonial; but peculiar circumstances
rendered that of Mr.. Davis eminently
such. The nullifcation imbroglio having
been settled without bloodshed, there was
prevalent desire to still farther concili>
ate South Carolina. and show her that
the other States still regarded her as a
sister, and were disposed to forget and
forgive hor notification vagaries. This
feeling, added to the general respect en-
tertained for the deceased member, caus-
ed a larger attendance than usua! Of
members, jndges, cabinet ministers and
other official persons. The President
himself resolved 10 attend, to give pub
lie mark of his love for the State of which
he considered himself a native, and to
show that much as be abhorred John G.
Calhoun, the author of notification, he
had no i'll will toward his deluded follow
ers.
The usual solemnities were performed
in the hall of the House of Representa-
tives. On the platform sat the Speaker
of the House and the President of the
! Senate below them, in the clerk seat,
was the officiating clergyman. On the
floor, in front of the clerks desk, the col-
fin was placed. On one side of it were
seated the President and his Cabinet /;
on the other were the Judges of the Su-
preme Court and the Senators. The
members Of the House were in their usu-
al seats, and the galleries were crowded
with spectators. 1t was remarked that,
in the accidental arrangement of the seats,
Andrew jackson and John G. Calhoun,
mortal foes as they were, were so placed
that they sat opposite to one another,
almost knee to knee. Both were gaunt
and sallow with disease or age. They
could not look up without seeing what
ravages time and excitement had made
in one another's countenances since they
used to meet as the most cordial Of friends,
The President, especially, looked SO
feeble as he sat leaning on his stick, that
many who were near him feared be
would not be able to remain until the
ceremonies ended. He was then sixty
eight years of age; his bristling hair was
as white as snow; and old wounds, re-
ceiged in bis duel with Dickinson and in
his ARRAY with the Bentons, bad brought
on premature old age.
The clergyman, in bis funeral dis
course, dwelt upon the folly of allowing
evil passions and personal hatreds to
mingle in the deliberations of the nation
al legislature, and called upon his bear
ers to bury such feelings in the grave of
their departed associate. General Jack
son, who was always very attentive at
church, and particularly liked a good
sermon, listened to these remarks with
apparent satisfaction.
The service over, the procession was
formed to accompany the body to its last
resting place in the Congressional bury
ing ground. At some little distance be-
hind the coffin walked the President, with
member of his cabinet on each side
of him. He leaned heavily on bis long,
stout, black walking-stick, and it was ev-
ident that the slow funereal step was one
that suited well his enfeebled Frame
Across the great rotunda of the capitol
the procession marched. The body bad
been borne down the lofty flight of marble
steps in front of the building; the Pres
ident, with his two companions, had just
reacn,;., .he door, and was about to step
out upon the porticO, where a path be-
tween two dense MASSES Of spectator