The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-06
The Presidents.

We huve preserved the last words OF
some of th'm. John Adams and
Thomas Jefferson both died on the
same day, and that the 4th of July,
1926. They were friends during their
latter years, and Adams last words
were, Thomas jefferson still lives,
but history shows he was mistaken.
Jefferson died an hour before, exclaim-
ing, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy SER
want depart in peace" and Il resign
my soul TO God--and my daughter to
my country" John Quincy Adams
gave his last breath in the capitol at
Washington, saying: "This is the end
OF the earth, am content" and Cen
eral Harrison, who died in the White
House, said: ''Sir, ! wish you to un-
derstand the principles of government.
wish them carried out. ask II 9TH
ing more
Garfield's last reported words, as be
lay racked by his terrible wound, were,
"Oh, that painl T. But Lincoln became
unconscious when he was shot, and re-
mained SO till he died. George Wash
ington was sane during his last hours,
and he spent them in calmly arranging
his affairs He told his wife to bring
two wills which he had made, and TO
burn one of them. lie then grasped
his pulse with one hand aud counted
the beats until he dropped back dead
Washington died of cold, Polk of
the cholera, Andrew johnson of paral-
ysis, and General Harrison of cold,
pleurisy and cholera morbus. Presi-
dent jackson was for thirty-one years
a diseased man. and the latter part of
his lite was spent in almost continuous
pain. Even on his death-bed he was
tortured by Office seekers Il am dy-
ing said he, "as fast as | can, and
they all know it; but they keep
swarming about me in crowds, seeking
for otlice--intrlgung for Office His
death bed scene was most affecting
one. A half hour before his death his
children and friends were standing
around his bedside, and his adopted
son Andrew had taken his hand and
whispered in his ear
'Father, how do you feel? Do You
know me ?"
"Know you? Yes, | should know
you all if | could see. Bring me my
spectacles.
These were brought and put on him,
and he said, "Where is my daughter
and Marian? God will take care of
you for me. | am my Gods. l be-
long to him. go but a short time be-
fore you, aud l want to meet you all,
white and black, in heaven
AT this all burst into tears, and the
General said "What is the matter
with you, my dear children? Have
alarmed you? Oh, don't cry. Be
good children, and we will all meet in
heaven"
These were Jacllson's last words. A
short time after this he passed peace
fully away. He died Christian and
Presbyterian.
Thomas Jefferson was more of a
dest than anything else, and when he
died he said he would be glad to see a
preacher who called ''as good neigh.
Dor" thereby intimating that he did
not care to see him professionally
There was no preacher pre,'ent at
Washington's death bed, aud here is
no doubt as to his belief. The .idam-
ses believed in Unitarian doctrine ), aud
it is said that John Quincy A lams,
during his last years, never went to
sleep without repeating that little
child's prayer:
snow lay me down to sleep,
pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If should die before | wake,
| pray the Lord my soul to take"
There is considerable doubt as to Lin
coins Christianity. but his best friends
believe him to have been a believer.
He was certainly great Bible reader,
and understood it thoroughly. Frank
Pierce was an Epscopalian and a
church member. Generals Grant and
Hayes attended the Methodist Church
while in the White House, and Gar
field spent his Sundays at the chapel of
the Disciples. John Tyler was,
think, Presbyterian, though his sec
ond wife was Catholic. Dolly Mad
ison was an Episcopalean, whatever
her husband may have been, and the
old church which she attended years
ago still stands, and in it President
Arthur worships to-day.