The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-01
PRESENTIMENTS.
An investigation of the Causes of
Those Dark EOrebOdings
Which Make Powerful
Men Weak.
Golden Rnle.l


Much apprehension has been occa-
stoned throughout America from the an
nouncement made by Professor Proctor
that the return in nineteen years of the
great comet of last summer will cause the
destruction of the earth. But while
people are becoming so strangely exer-
cised over this announcement, an event
of far more serious importance, which is
taking place to-day, seems to be almost
wholly overlooked. The nature of this
most vital subject can be best explained
by relating the following experiences
Bishop E. o. Haven, known to the en-
tire land, was unaccountably awakened
one night out of a sound sleep, and lay
awake until morning. His mind seemed
unusually active, and he not only re-
viewed his past life, which had been an
eventfpl one, but laid extensive plans for
the future. He did not feel especially
i'll, but could not account for the unusual
activity of his brain, nor for the restless
ness which seemed to possess him. In
the morning he had but little appetite,
but was apparently well in other respects.
In few days, however, he began 10
feel restless and morbid, although
he tried earnestly to over
come the feeling which had
taken possession of him. But try as
he would the shadow of some evil seemed
to follow him, and he was conscious of a
gradual sinking and wasting away of all
his physical faculties. He had been an
earnest and diligent worker, and in his zeal
frequently over-taxed his strength, and
being absorbed in his duties failed TO OBJ
serve the common symptoms with which
he was afflicted, thus permitted the work
OF destruction to go on UNDECIDED. But
the end finally came in q most peremp-
tory manner. Shortly before his death
he wrote letter-the last one he ever
indited-in which he speaks as follows ::
" A belief that death is near affects diff
ferent minds differently, but probably
all who are in fair condition of physI-
cal and mental strength instinctively
shrink from it with an indefinable dread
and horror. 4 dying man is no more
able OF himself to foresee his own des-
tiny or the destiny of those he leaves
than he was before he began to die"
The recent sad and sudden death of
Hon. Clarkson N. Potter is one of the
most serious warnings ever given in the
long list of innumerable cases of fatal
neglect. lis not sufficient to say that
many other brilliant men, including
Everett, Sumner, Chase, Wood, Wilson
and Carpenter, were swept away by the
same fatal trouble The question is.
were these men sufficiently careful of
their health, and could they have been
saved The Albany Argus, in speaking
of Mr.. Potter's sudden illness and death.
says:
One of the physicians who attended
Mr.. Potter here was interviewed last
evening. He stated that Mr.. Potter's in
ability to converse had for some time
served to b file the physicians in their
efforts to determine the root of his i'll |
ness 1t seems, however, that Mr.. Pot
ter, some two years agD, suffered a
slight attack of kidney disease. Unwise
dependence upon robust constitution
and naturally perfect health, and neglect
of proper clothing, doubtless sowed the J
seed of a disease that needed but some
such personal neglect as that of Tuesday
morning TO develop. From the symp-