The Wilmingtonian., 1885-03-07
DEATH OF THE PRESIDENTS.
What They Did and what They said In
Their Last Moments.

what They Did and what They said In
Their Last Moments.
John Adams and Thomas jefferson both
died on the same day, and that the 4th of
July, 1926. They were friends during their
later years, and Adams last words were,
''Thomas Jefferson still lives, . but history
shows he was mistaken. jefferson had died
an hour before, exclaiming, ''Lord, now
letteat Thou Thy servant depart in peace"
and II 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
earth, 1 am content" and General Harrison,
who died in the White House, said, "Sir, |
wish you to understand the principles of
government. wish them carried out.
ask nothing more"
Garfield's last reported words, as he Law
racked by his terrible wound, were, ooh,
that painP' But Lincoln became unconscious
when he was shot and remained so till he
died George Washington was sane during
his asst hours, and he spent them in calmly
arranging his affairs. He tod his wife to
bring two wills which he bad made, and
to burn one of them. lie then grasped his
pulse with one hand and counted the beats
until he died. Washington died of a cold.
Polk of cholera. Andrew Jackson of paral-
ysis, and Harrison Of cold, pleurisy and
cholera morbus.
President Jackson was for thirty-one
years diseased man. and the latter part of
his life was spent in almost continuous pain.
Even on his death-bed he was tortured by
ofice-seekcrs. 81 am dying" said he, "as
fast as can, and they all knew it; but they
kept swarming about me in crowds, seeking
for office-intrguing for Office" His death
bed scene was a most affecting one. A
half an hour before his death his children
and friends were standing arouud his bed
side, and his adopted son Andrew had taken
his hand and whispered in his ear:
Father now do you feel? Do you know
mc?''
"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 Mari
an? God will take care of you for me. l
am my Gods. l belong to him. | go but
short time before you, and want to meet
you ALL white and black, in heaven"
At this all burst into tears, and the gen
eral said "Rhat is the matter with YOU,
my dear children? Have l alarmed you?
Oh, don't cry. Be good children, and we
wll.all meet in heaven"
These were Jackson's last words. 4 short
time after this he passed peacefully away.
He died Christian and Presbyterian.
Thomas Jefferson was more Of a deist than
anything else, and when he died he said he
would be glad tosee preacher who called
''as good neighbor,' thereby iutimatipg
that he did care to see him professionally.
There was no preacher present at Washing
toms death,bcd and there is doubt as to his
belief. The two Adamses believed in
Unitarian doctrines, aud it is said that John
| Quincy Adams, during his last years, never
went to sleep without repeating that little
child's prayer:
Now lay me down to sleep
pray the Loid my soul to keep:
If should die before wake.
pray the Lord my soul 10 take.
There is considerable doubt as to I.incoln's
Christianity, but his best friends believe
him to have been believer. He was Ger.
tainly great Bible reader, and understood
it thoroughly. Frank Pierce was AN Episcc-
palian and church member. General
Gran; aud Hayes attended tie Methodist
Church while in the White House, and Gar.
field spent his Sundays at the Church of the
Disciples. John Tyler was, think. a
Presbyterian, though his second wife was a
Catholic, Dolly Madison was an Episcop.
allan, whatever hci husband may have been,
and the old church which She attended
years ago, still stands, and in it President
Arthur worships to-day Clerelan4 Leader.