Cairo evening times. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1865-1866, 1865-10-05
THE TRAITOR YANCEY.

The following interesting statement of the
fact that William L. Yancey, the leading seces-
sionist of his day, came to his death by vio-
lence at the hands of Ben Hill,z of Georgia, is
from the pen of Albert Roberts, an officer in
the late rebel army, andsnow editor of the Re
publican Banner, new paper just started in
Nashville
and turn to the right, you will perceive a col
onade OF maple trees leading off toward a quiet
glen. Beyond is grassy knob, and leaving
this to athezleft you will approach a pleasant
level of green swrd. Here you may be temp
ted to pause before a plain slab of white mar
BILE of the most humble description. 1t bears
a single inscription, ''Willam L. Yancey.n
His last words were, 'sPut me out of sight,"
and it is said that he, was constantly muttering,
toward his latter end, those lines Pope:
'Let me live unseen, unknown,
And unlamented let me die.
Nor mound, nor monument, nor stone,
Tell where le." -tr .. -..
His death was quiet and painless, after year
of acute physical and mental suffering. He
was strict ohurchman; man of quiet man
ners, handsome de claimer, and a fair schol-
lar. He was never wealthy, and it is under
stood that he left his family without an indie
| pendence. .'".t g r.e'S f..f r.
The time has come when the circumstances
Of his last illness and death, with the occasion
I which suddenly convulsed a frame from per-
| feet health into a wreck and mere shadow,
| may be mentioned as a historical fact. Will
ham L. Yancey came to his end by violence.
| 1t was toward the close of the second session
of the first Confederate Congress, that he broke
from the counsels and influel ce of Mr.. Davis,
and became, with Mr.. Henry S. Foote, a
leader of the opposition. Mr.. Ben. Hill, a
| Senator from Georgia. had lik ewise charged
| his front, and was remarkable for the earnest
uess, personal interest and pesistency with
which he sustained the measures of an admins
tration to which his allegiance had been giver
but late in the day. Mr.. Yaneey, it will be
remembered, had returned from an unsuceess
full mission to Europe, and was representing
\ Alabama in the Confederate Senate E.e...
+ The question of a navy was under discus
sion in secret session. The debate ranged be
You'd the parliamentary limits, and Messrs
Yancey and Hill became animated over. tn,
abstract doctrines of State Rights and the di
vinity of slavery. High words passed, an,
finally the lie was given by Mr.. Hill. Mr.
Yancey leaped forward, and as he aimed
blow at his adversary, was caught in the arm
, sof the latter and violently thrown back over
desk. Mr.. Hill is man of wonderful muscu
lar development. Mr.. Yancey was never yer
heavy, though 1.-the and active. In the fal
his spine was seriously injured, and when tn
t bystanders rushed upon the two and dragge
the one from the other, the great tire-eater Ia
, unconscious upon the floor, with a little trick
i of blood oozing from his lips. He was carrie
: to his hotel. vote Of secrecy was passed
4, and the rencounter hushed up. No one i
: Richmond except that body of men knew
L the circumstances for six months after. Near
) while the victim did not recover. He droope
from day to day. He became listless, hope
less and vacant. He was transferred to hi
own home, where his commissions ceased a fe,
weeks before his death, which was tranqu
and calm. l3. alf za -.sa:. 3c ssas aa+ IL eaH
} He died without one hope Of the success {
the Southern Republic he had aspired to foun
t and govern; for which he had labored day an
night Tor twenty-five years; to which he ha
} sacrificed his people, the Union of the State
and the chosen institutions of the South
broken-hearted man-''unwept, unhonored an
|