Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-11-08

tne h!chlnouu Luqui[er saiu VI IT, w
are not at all surprised by the impression
he produced, and the reputation he has
acquired. 1t is one of the ablest and
most eloquent speeches we have seen,
upon this or upon any other subject. His
Introductory structures upon Wing repre-
sentatives from North Carolina are very
digni6ed in manner, but tremendous in
their effect. 1t strikes like tae lightning
from heaven, and withers the sapliug upon
which it falls. Mr.. Yancey is new mem
ber, and young man, and if he be not
paralyzed by the admiration he has al
ready excited, nor his head become turn
ed by the increase of praise, he is destined
to attain very high distinction in the
public councils"
Judge Bagby, who followed Mr.. Yaucey
in that debate, in his opening remarks
pronounced it "the ablest effort he had
ever heard on the floor of Congress"
A difficulty grew out of this speech, be.
tween Mr.. Clingman and Mr. Yancey,
which resulted in duel. There was one
fire, and then an honorable Adjustment
1t was known to the late Jud &c Huger,
then a Senator from South Carolina, whom
Mr.. Yancey consulted as friend, that he
did not attempt the life of Mr.. Clingman-
he threw away his fire. He was not at that
time member of the Christian Church
During his brief Congressional career he
also made able and elaborate speeches oD
the Oregon notice question, and upon the
internal improvement issue.
His speech upon the Oregon question
was listened to with profound attention by
the lnembers-a large majority of whom
differed with the speaker Mr.. Yancey op.
posed the notice to Great Britain as war
measure The press everywhere received
it with delight, it being delivered some
time before Mr.. Calhoun took ground in the
Senate upon the same side.
One of the Baltimore correspondents
thus described the scene: "When it was
announced that he had the floor, crowds of
fashionable men aud women aocked to hear
him. During the time he was speaking
there was breathless silence The enthu.
siastic admiration of all who heard him a.
mounts almost to alteration"
The correspondent of the N Y Herald
commented thus upon the position of the
speaker aud of the power of Mr.. Yancey's S
effort:
alt is gratifying to see fearless spirit of
patriotism in single man, in the midst of
strong and almost universal opposing cur.
rent, tending, like the stream of Niagara,
to the abyss of war. It's particularly graft
flying when such an individual, assuming
such stand in such crisis, is young
man, ardent as southern sun eau make
him. full of patriotism, jealous of his per.
sonal and his country's honor-jealous to
the 'caviling upon of the ninth part of a
hair upon that honor's invasion or en-.
croachment-coming out, bold as a noun
tain stream, in contest with the clamor of
war.
"Such was the man-such was his posi-.
ton, and such the current against which
he put forth his strong arm to day"
The Gazette: (Ala.,) in reviewing the
speech, declared that Mr.. Yancey "occupi.
ed at this time, higher stand in public
estimation, than any man of his age; and
is destined to WELD an Influence commen.
surate with that of the mightiest spirits Of
the age"
In August, 1856, Mr.. Yancey resigned
his seat in Congress-too poor to keep i,
or continue in politics. The claims of an
increasing family we're heavy upon him, and
he retired from position of power and
public admiration such as no man in the
State could boast at that time-a position
won by his courage-his sterling virtues -
his reliability-his devotion to principle
his laborious and self sacrificing zeal for the
truth, and his matchless eloquence.
He removed to the city of Montgomery,
where he now resides, and formed a law
partnership with COL John A. Elmore, and
has, since that time, laboriously prosecuted
his profession.
As lawyer he takes rank among the
first in that State
Mr.. Yancey's party awarded to him the
first place in tfeir ranks. Twice nomina,
ted for Congress, twice he felt it to be his
duty to decline-though once he was nomi
mated unanimously in Convention, after hi:
letter was read absolutely declining the
proffered position. His duty to his family
in his opinion, required the devotion of his
time to his profession.
In 1S4S, Mr.. Yancey was member oi
the. National Democratic Convention which
nominated General Cass for the Presidency
though he opposed his nomination, and af
terward refused to support him.
He never at any time united with the
opposition to the Democracy, though some
times compelled by his sense of duty and
consistency as Southern Rights man tc
withhold his active support of the men and
measures of the Democratic party. Indeed
Mr.. Yancey is, in no sense, mere party
man. He scars into higher atmosphere
of patriotism and personal independence
and hence has been the mark for much un
just and iliberal criticism by men whose
craftsmanship and patriotism know no ex
pausion beyond the 'pent-up Utica of par
ty.
In 1856, the National Democratic Con
ventiou at Cincinnati freely adopted tn
oreat nrincinle of non ;ntervantion hv Con