Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The dying words of Senator Douglas.--For a long time previous to his death, Senator Douglas had been in a semi-conscious condition. During the morning of his death his mind and energies rallied somewhat. Lying at apparent ease upon his bed, but with the mark of death upon his pale countenance, Mrs. Douglas, who sat, soothing him gently, by his bedside, painfully aware that the moment of final separation was approaching, asked him what message he wished to send to his sons Robert and Stephen, who were students at Georgetown. He answered not at first, and she tenderly repeated the question. “Tell them,” he then replied with a full voice, and an emphatic tone, “Tell them to obey the laws and support the Constitution of the United States.”

Let these dying words be recorded upon the tablets of undying, unfading, and undecaying history. They were the last words of a great man's advice to his beloved boys; and let those who loved him, and have been moved by the eloquent words of his lips, take the advice to their own hearts, for their guidance in the hour when peril threatens the Republic, or disloyal influences are abroad in the land.

A short time after, he desired to be raised, and his wish was complied with, so that he might look out from his window once more, upon that city which had loved and honored him so long. One of his friends expressed a doubt as to the ease of his position, when he simply replied, “He is — comfortable.” In his dying moments he faintly articulated, “Death, death, death,” and his great soul passed away.--Chicago Journal.