Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-17
RICHMOND WHIG,
TUESDAY MoRNING......OCT. II, 1865.
THE FACTS ABOUT THE YANCEY-
HILL DIFFICULTY IN THE C0NFED-
ERATE SENATE.

THE FACTS ABOUT THE YANCEY-
HILL DIFFICULTY IN THE C0NFED-
ERATE SENATE.
We find in one of the first numbers of the
Nashville (Tenn.) Bonner, an article which
compasses more Of hction and poetry in the
short space Of half a column, than we had
expected to see in any paper this side of the
Northern sensation journals.
The writer discloses for the first time, the
startling " historical fact" that Nr. Yancey
did not die, (as has been supposed by DR..
Hill and others in Montgomery Of infam-
nation of the Ridneys, disease from which
he had been suffering for years; but his
death was produced by collision in the
Confederate Senate with Mr.. Ben. Hill, Of
Georgia, who, when assailed by Mr.. Yancey
in secret session, in discussion Of the Navy
Bill, for giving him the lie, breaking his
back, from which he dropped away and died,
all utterly disheartened and disappointed
man.
The man who got up that story, we mod
estly suggest, would be model reporter for
the New York Herald, the Ha,pers or the
Illustrated NeaoS. His talents will be wasted
OH the 'desert air" of this miserable South
ern land.
Mr.. Yancey and Mr.. Hill did have diff
Guilty in the Confederate Senate, not, how.
ever, upon discussion OF the Navy bill, but
Of the Supreme Court bill. Mr.. Y. had spo.
ken Mr.. Hill, in reply, reviewed Mr.. Y.'s
record in a style which was regarded as Of
fensive by Senators. Mr.. 7. arose, when
Mr.. H. had taken his seat, and remarked
that as other Senators desired to speak on
the question, he would not consume the time
Of the Senate then, but that at a proper time
he would endeavor to do justice, both to the
Senator from Georgia and to himself. He
desired only to say then, that the assertions
of the Senator from Georgia, in regard to
what he was pleased to term his autobiog-
raphy were false, and he knew them to be
false when he made them.
Mr.. Hill responded quickly from his seat
that he threw the falsehood back in his face.
Upon motion, the Senate went into secret
session. Mr.. Yancey was then appealed to
to adjust the matter, but reiterated what he
said and took his seat. Thereupon, Mr.. Hill,
Unexpectedly to Mr.. Yancey, or any one
else, threw heavy glass ink-stand, which
struck Mr.. Y. on his side face, bruising it,
and causing the blood to flow profusely, but
not knocking him down, or doing any serious
injury. Mr.. Yancey then rushed at Mr.. Hill,
but was prevented from striking him, and
here the fight ended.
committee was appointed, and retired,
to report what was due the Senate for
breach Of decorum. Whilst they were out,
various speeches were made to reconcile the
parties. Mr.. Yancey was, for long time,
inexorable, but when appeals were made to
him as to the effect such rupture would
have upon the cause, he was disposed to
yield to the opportunities Of friends. To
aggravate the matter, the committee re-
ported, censuring both parties-Mr. Yancey
for the language he had used, and Mr.. Hill
for throwing the ink-stand.
Mr.. Yancey protested against the report
to the last; but it was finally accepted by
the Senate, and was afterwards reconsidered
and withdrawn, upon cenditionthat he woRld
not prosecute his claim for personal redress
any further, he reserving to himself the
right to reply TO Mr.. Hips speech in public,
which he afterwards did, in powerful and
overwhelming effort. The Senate was en-
gagged from about noon till midnight in the
settlement OF the affair.
Members were bound to secresy, and no
true statement could be obtained except
from some of them since the fall of the Con-
federacy has made all this public. We are
confident, from intimations we had at the
time from confidential sources, that this ac-
count of the matter is fully as liberal to Mr..
Hill as the recorded facts in the case, sub
mitted in Mr.. Yancey's protest to the Sem
ate, would justify. The authentic record is
probably among the private papers of Mr..
Y, but our statement is sufficiently accu
rate for present purposes, being had from
the memory of Senator who was an eye
witness, and is generally careful of facts.
1t is thus apparent that this difficulty had
no effect on Mr.. Yencey's rapid decline in
health. In fact, abundant testimony could
be adduced, if necessary, from his physicians
here, to show that he had been prey to dis
ease for years. He had violent attack Of q
spinal disease while he was can7assing for
the Washington Monument after the Presi-
Dental election in 1856, from which it was
long doubted whether he would recover, and
this completely racked and distorted his
erect and small but powerful frame. He
was affected for many years with the disease
of the kidney, from which he died. During
his last illness his pains were most excru-
ciating, but he bore himself like a true
Christian statesman, as he was, through all
sufferings. He was at times delirious with
internal agony, and would make most
eloquent speeches, and imagine himself in
line of battle charging triumphantly on the
enemies of his country. He never despaired,
nor for once faltered in his devotion to
Southern independence but thought Mr..
Davis wanting in forecast, vigor and popular
sympathies for great leader. As to his
continual crying to be put out of sight, that
is simply made out of whole cloth, and very
thin texture al that.
Mr.. Yancey died, as he lived, loyal to bis
convictions. He forgave his enemies, and
prayed God to forgive them for the miscon-
structon of his motives and his conduct. A
simple marble slab was put over his grave,
not because he wished his resting place hid
from view, but because time was required to
erect suitable monument.
But rest assured, Alabamians are not for
getful of their honored dead, and will, in
due time, put to shame those who would de-
fame her and her greatest aud truest leader.
1t is at all times disagreeable enough to
have to defend the patriotic living against
calumny, but when the bones of our lamented
dead are dragged from the grave for the
sport of ungenerous foes, then, as painful as
is the task, we shall not be SO false as TO
shirk the duty of doing justice to their men,
.-Montgomer Advertiser.
SALE OF MILL PRoPERTY.-The Potomac