Atchison (KS) Freedom’s Champion, “The Death of Douglas,” June 8, 1861

THE DEATH OF DOUGLAS.

The death of this statesman has cast a shadow of gloom over the whole country, and is everywhere mourned as a national calamity. So thoroughly identified with our political history has his life been for the last decade; that his voice became the rallying cry of millions of our people. – His commanding intellect, his inspiring enthusiasm, his determined will, his sagacious counsel, his impassioned eloquence, and his undoubted courage, were qualities so much needed by our country in its present crisis, that with throbbing hearts and brimming eyes the whole nation stands weeping above his grave.

His history is too well known to every citizen to demand a recital. It is a part of our country’s history, and future generations will read of his great talents, his iron energies and his brilliant career with wonder and admiration. Eulogy is not needed now, when muffled drums are beating, banners are draped in mourning, flags are at half-mast, and minute guns are fired, all over the country; and the heart of every patriot shudders with a sorrow that cannot be repressed. History will embalm his name with the illustrious dead who have gone before; tall shafts of marble will perpetuate his memory and his acts; but his proudest monument will be the sincere homage of a nation and the grateful recollections of a whole people.

In sadness we drop our laurel above his patriot grave and turn with sorrow from a death so untimely.