The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-19

4 alleyiats ths tsdium q his illness, and
ha onened his rnind freely and frequently
IN the,n. Daring tho period from Tuesday
Ia Friday Mr.. Van Buren, grew apparently
neither better nor worse, but simply held
his own In the battle with death. He was
frequently dellrious; never violently so,
but even his alteration was characterized
by the bonhommie that crowned his whole
career. He would talk much, at times
most winningly. His mind ran mainly on
politics. He was full of the. situation Of
the country. Singular to relate, not once
did his memory of men, parties, and can
didates fall him. He retained that minute
knowledge of the political history of the
past and of the present political complex
ion that distinguished him when in health.
His anxiety for the restoration ofthe Union
was intense in his illness and In his life.
Could those fervid appeals Of the dying
statesman and patriot have beenpreserved
beyond the occasion that gave them birth,
they had been most interesting and sacred.
Forgctful of himself and his intense pains,
his reason, Grant on all else, still appre-
ciated and was alive wiffsS the peril of the
land which he loved with all the fervor oil
his nature. -
A TOUCHING SCENE.
On Friday this supreme anxiety Of Mr..
Van Buren, for the restoration of the Union
showed itself in an instance which is pro-
badly one of the most remarkable in NOR
tuary history. He was feeling physically
better. His mind showed, however, no in
crease of directness or clearness upon gene
raj topics, or upon any at all, excepting that
singular intensity with which he content
plated the distracted condition Of the cOun-
try. While half reclining, half sitting up,
supported by the arms of his daughter and
niece on either side, Mr.. Van Buren's eyes
lighted up with unusual brilliancy, and even
in his position he seemed to expand to the
eye with the pride and port of the orator OF
other days. The narrow cabin became q
vast auditorium to his view, the few friends
a mighty audience, but, more than all, the
interests of the country rose supreme in his
mind, and compelled utterance. lie began
speech on national affairs, and concluded
it not until he had spoken without inter
ruption two and quarter hours. The gen.
tlemen around his bed say that it was in all
respects worthy of, and in some superior to,
his happiest efforts. At the first he rapidly
and perspicuously photographed the pro.
gress, the purposes, and the problems OF
the late war, and emphasized the pledged
faith of the Government that 1t could
and should ultimate only in secured
union of free and equal States. lie then
adverted to the efforts Of Mr.. Johnson 70
carry out that pledge in letter and spirit,
and to have for his inspiration and guide
the unmistakable commands OF the Con-
stitution and the generous magnanimlty OF
the people. This part of this most re-
markable address was followed by scarf
fication of Congress in terms of satire,
elooucnce, and reproach, of which none
were SO capable as he. A rapid review of
the policy of reiinion and disunion next
ensued, and he thought he was once more
addressing his fellow-ctizens in his native
State. The subject was presented with a
splendid reference to the material interests
and historic greatness of the Empire State
imperatively demanding that she plant her
self square on the side of Q perfected
union of equal and honored States. At
the close, Mr.. Van Buren, pronounced a
eulogy upon the worth, the talent, the in
tegrity of Hon. John L. Hoffman, such as
only man Of his strong intimacy with the
subject of his praise, and that intensity of
personal attachment of which he dcvc-
loped such a remarkable amount, could so
so sincerely, and so magneti-
cally pronounce. As piece of compost
ton, whether viewed as literary, an ar
or an oratorical production,
this dying address was in all respects no
less credit to the national reputation OF
the speaker than it was vindication and
tribute to the cause and motives that
evoked its utterance.
THE FINAL HOUR.
After the delivery of this extraordinary
and affecting address, Mr.. Van Buren, re-
lapsed into q state of more ease and placi-
tude than he had manifested since the
beginning of his illness. He seemed more
comfortable in body and mind, was not
either SO petulant or restless, Ad passed a
comparatively easy night on Friday. On
Saturday the condition was the same. Up
to this time no immediate apprehension of
a fatal result had been felt. Mr.. Van
Buren's attendants, and he himself, in his
lucid seasons, thought he would get better
on landing, and quickly recover the tone of
his mind and system. His fever still con-
tinued, but his pain was more occasional.
On Saturday evening he appeared more
hopeful than ever, and noticed with that
eminent courtesy of his the presence and
attendance of his devoted niece and daugh-
ter and his friends. SThey left him, as
was their wont, shortly after 10 P. NJ, in
the expectation of his passing not I'M
usually easy night. Just before the clock
was on the stroke of eleven, Mr.. Van
Buren, signifed to the nurse his desire to
rise, and in proceeding to assist him,
the nurse saw that imperceptibly, but
fearfully rapidly, decisive change had
come over the countenance of the sufferer.
He did not speak nor seem able to do so.
The foridity had left his face. His eyes
appeared vacant. The end was coming.
DR.. Price, the surgeon, was called. He
came. AS he supported Mr.. Van Buren,,
and Just as his daughter and niece were
entering, in answer to the summons sent
them, his head fell back upon the pillow,
and he died without struggle of the least
visible pain, smile spreading over his face
in dissolution, as If he were at last at rest
and in peace. 1t was ten minutes past
eleven at night. The cause of his sudden
departure when In apparently not an imme-
diately dangerous condition was owing, 1t
was supposed, to there having been a
severe and complete collapse of the
powers in that part of the system af-
fected by the malady. The body of the
deceased was properly and promptly laid
ont and nlaced In Il Temporary coffin,