The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-07-11
The Personal Difficulty Between
william L.. YanCey and Ben. III.
Hill in the Confederate Senate
Chamber.

NAila6nA Il. dnCcy ana Zen. III.
Hill in the Confederate Senate
Chamber.
The Columbia (Tenn.) Herald de-
scribes an exciting personal conflict be-
tween Ben. H. Hill, of Georgia, and
William L. Yancey, of Alabama, in the
Confederate States Senate at Richmond,
during the war. 1t appears that this
was but the elimination of quarrel
that had begun at Georgia barbecue
before the rebellion. Hill was then q
Union man, and Yancey was firing the
Southern heart for secession. We
quote:
Upon the conclusion of Mr. Yancy's
remarks, Mr.. Hill promptly rose to re-
ply. TIE scene was one Of the most
intense excitement. He deprecated the
opinion advocated by Mr.. Yancey, and
proceeded with great severity to review
his past political career, running back
to the beginning Of the times when our
sectional troubles were first being aei-
'tated. He said Mr. Yancey, not salts
fed with having warred upon and dis
rupted the old Union, was now crying
out against and endeavoring to subvert
and break down the Confederate gov
ernment When Mr.. Hill concluded, the
excitement, already at white heat, was
increased beyond anything ever before
witnessed during those troublesome
times. Mr.. Yancey arose, and in a calm.
Edignified, and self-possessing manner
peculiarly his own, commenced his re-
ply. He described Mr. Hill as repeat
ing SANDERS that had been uttered
against him for the past twenty years
and that all which Mr.. Hill had uttered,
had been said innumerable times before
by every third rate politician in the
country; and continued by saying, "na.
ture had designated the Senator from
Georgia as an imitator; that he has beer
cast in q certain die, and it was vain tc
attempt to enlarge his dimensions !"
Pallid with rage, Mr.. He'll mounted or
his feet, and scizing heavy glass ink
stand hurled it with all of his nigh
and power at the head of Mr. Yancey
which grazing his forehead, followed it:
way to the skull and passed ON its furi
Gus course, crushing a heavy window
facing beyond. Without turning hi'
head, Mr.. Yancey, who was at that time
addressing the Speaker, continuing hi
speech, deliberately remarked, sit is al
ways the prerogative of towards tc
strike from the rear Enraged still
more at this remark, Mr. Hill, gathering
a chair, rushed upon his antagonist, ,whe
needless of the attack was continuing
his remarks as if nothing had happened
when number of Senators interposing
the difficulty was ended. Mr.. Yanccy':
wound bled most profusely and scene
of the utmost confusion prevailed.
1t has several times been stated since
Mr.. lancey's death, that it resulted from
injuries received in this rencountre, bu
such is not the fact, as he died from {
disease that could in no way have beer
superinduced by this cause.
A Straias en- of ROchelOrt's Foil
ed.
A Paris legal journal gives details o
the arrest of Rochefort. 1t says:
The train stopped at Meaux, station
about ten miles from Paris. An Officer
came to the carriage door and asked
the passengers for their passports OIL
Government papers. "My papers p
said Rochefort calmly 81 did not know
they were necessary, but if you give mt
pen and paper l will write at once tc
Paris tor them" Certainly, Sir. i
you will follow me you will have wha
you require" Rochefort followed thu
officer, who placed him at table, wher
he wrote as follows: "My dear Colon
bel: am asked at the MeauX station
for my papers; oblige me by sending
Immediately what will establish my iden
tity. Henri Max" The writer wa.
about to seal his letter, when the office
said: "Pardon me; l am obliged tt
take cognizance of what you write."-
"Oh! willingly read" The officer tool
the letter and read it. "All right" sale
he, "but why do you sign Henri Ma,
when your name is Henri Rochefort! ?
The Count turned pale, and appeared
troubled. The police officer immediate
ly declared him to be under arrest, and
placing handouts on him, brought hin
to Versailles.