St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-04
CALHOUN's DREAM.
He Told Bob Toombs How He Was
Warned by Gen. Washington.

Chicago Herald Letter.
The most remarkable dream | have
ever heard of was that which was said
to have been related by John c. Cal
houn to Bob Toombs and others at Just
about the time when he was preaching
notification and secession in South
Carolina. Calhoun told the story, it
was said, at a breakfast party. lie was
observed to be continually brushing his
right hand in nervous way, when MI
ToOmbs asked
what is the matter with your hand,
senator? Does it pain yOu?' Mr.. Cal
hOun put his hand under the table. An
annoyed frOWn came over his face, and
lie then jerked it quickly out again,
saying: There's nothing the matter
with my hand only / had peculiar
dream last night which makes me see
an indelible black spot like an ink
blotch Oh the back OF it. | know it is
an optical illusion. but | can't help see
ing it,
Senator Calhoun did not continue. and
Bob Toombs asked: But what was
your dream like. senator? | am not
superStitous, but | think there is some
times 4 great deal of truth in dreams"
Calhoun turned shade paler and then
said: 81 don t object to tellinGyou. 1t
was, 1t seems TO me. absurd in the eX-
IRENE. | dreamed that | was in my
room writing and had given orders that
no one should disturb me. While | was
i'll the busiest part OF my work the door
opened and a visitor entered. He did
not speak word, and to my surprise
and Indignation he calmly took a seat
on the other side of the table opposite
Az nH of n M ts.lN #
my lamp saw that he was wrapped in
thin cloak which etfectually concealed
his features. | started to speak, when
he broke in in solemn tones with:
What are you writing, senator from
South Carolina?
''Strange to say, the question did not
seem impairment to me. and | replied:
i am writing plan for the dissolution
of the American Union
LAS | said this the man went on: Sen
ator from South Carolina, will you let
me look at your right hand? started
to hold out my hand. The figure arose
the cloak fell. and [ beheld his face.
Gentlemen. that face struck me like
thunderclap. 1t was the face of dead
man, and the features were those of
Gen. Washington. He was dressed in
revolutionary costume and" Here
Mr.. Calhoun paused. and Bob Toombs,
who was very much excited, asked:
.Well, what did he say?r
Mr.. Calhoun replied: Il tried TO keep
back my hand, but could not do 1t; /
rose to my feet and extended it 10 him.
He grasped it and held it near the light.
and after looking at it for a moment he
said. And, senator from South Carolina,
would you with this right hand sign
your name to paper disSolyine the
union?'
Yes" / repliedr If needs be | will
sign such declaration
well. gentlemen, at that moment
black blotch appeared on the back of
my hand, and it frightened me. and |
said TO the ghost: What is that?' That
replied he, dropping my hand. IS the
mark by which Benedict Arnold is
known in the next world And with
that he drew FROM beneath his CLOAK 4
skeleton, and laid 1t upon the table.
There said he, ARE the bones of Isaac
Hayne, VINO was hanged at Charleston
lie gave up his life in order to establish
the Union. When you put your name
to a declaration of dissolution you may
IS well have the bones of Isaac Hayne
before you. He was South Carolnian
and so are you. But there was no
blotch Oh his right hand With these
words the ghost LETT the room, and
awolze. | found myself sitting at my
table. but the dream was so vivid that |
can still see the biotch on my hand"