The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-04-20
TWO,

}a 10 HdtuIdl expression
until the last breath, (Which was
d drawn with a deep insuiration,) when
his eyes suddenly became dim. They
Y were Immediately closed by Mr.. Ven
able. After Mr.. Calhoun's eyes were
closed his countenance was that Of
Z one who had fallen quickly asleep. He
was conscious to the last moment.
"At about 8 o'clock on the even
ing previous to his death Mr.. Cal
lloun remarked that his mind was
never clearer: that he had great facili-
ty in arranging his thoughts; and in
reply to remark of his son IS, that
he was fearful he was over-tasking
his mind with thinking, he said: "I
cannot avoid thinking Of the politi-
cal affairs Of the country. If I could
do more good than on any previous
occasion of my life."
The Announcement of,His Death.
The announcement of Mr.. Cal
houn s death in the Senate chamber
Monday, April l, 1S5O,was as follows:
On the motion of Mr.. King the
reading Of the Journal of Thursday
was dispensed with.
Mr.. Butler rose and said: "Mr.
President, rise to discharge a mourn
full duty, and one which involves in
it considerations well calculated to
arrest the attention of this body. 1t
is to announce the death of my late
colleague, the Hon John Caldwell Cal
houn. He died at his lodgings in
this city, yesterday morning, at half
past o'clock. He was conscious of
his approaching end, and met death
with fortitude and uncommon serenity
He had many admonitions Of it's ap-
proach, and without doubt lie had not
been Indifferent to them. With h.:
usual aversion to professions he said
nothing for mere effect on the world,
and his last hours were an cxemplifi-
cation Of his life and character, truth
AMI simplicity.
Mr.. Calhoun, for some years past,
had been suffering undcr'a pulmonary
complaint, and under its effects could
have rcck0ncd but on short exist
cnce. Such was his own conviction.
The immediate cause Of his death was
an affection Of the heart. A few
hours before he expired he became
sensible Of his situation, and when he
was unable to speak his eye and look
cvinced recognition and intelligence
OF what was passing. One of the
last directions he gave was to duti-
full son, who had been attending him,
to put away some manuscripts which
had been written short time before,
under his dictation.'
These were the opening paragraphs
OF the address Of Senator Butler. who
spoke at some length of Calhoun IS
life and services and character, and
concluded with the usual resolutions
Of respect and a motion to adjourn.
Henry Clay's Tribute.
Senator Clay then rose and said:
"Mr. President: Prompted by my
own feeling Of profound regret and
by the intimations Of some highly cs-
tecmcd friends, wish, in rising to
second the resolutions which have
been offered, and which have Just
been read, to add n few words to what
has been so well and 50 justly said by
the surviving colleague Of the illus
trious deceased"
After speaking Of their long as
:sociation in Congress and Of Calhoun 3
services in the Cabinet, the eloquent
Kentuckian continued:
Sir, he has gone! No more shall we
witness from y0ndcr seat the flashes
OF the keen and penetrating eye OF
his, darting through this chamber.
No more shall we be thrilled by that
torrent Of clear, concise, compact
logic, poured out from his lips, which
II it did not always carry conviction
to our judgment, always commanded
our great admiration. Those eyes
and those lips are closed forever."""
Twill only say in few words that he
possessed an elevated genius Of the
highest order; that in felicity Of gen.
eralization Of the subjects Of which
his mind treated, l have seen him sur
passed by no one; and the charm and
captivating Influence Of his colloquial
powers have been felt by all who have
converscd with him. was his senior,
Mr.. President, in years---in years,
e nothing else. According to the course
Of nature, I ought to have preceded