Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-10
HILLS BLACK FLAG.

Number IL OF stephens, criticism OF
Hills historical address is published
In point of temper it is in marked
contrast with number l. The authors
petulant, irritable spirit is under bet
ter control. On the point as to the
whereabouts of Hill during the Hamp-
ton Roads affair, he has the following
acknowledgement to make:
l frankly confess that it is not at all
improbable that Mr.. Hill may have
been IN Richmond when I felt assured
that he was in Georgia That state
ment Of mine that he was IN Georgia
when Mr.. Davis had the subject of the
Blair conference under consideration
was based upon what now seems to
have been a too coniding reliance by
me on the truth Of what he and Mr..
Davis told me.
No doubt Mr.. Stephens wrote, in
his first article, what he fully believed,
but he used q doubtful statement with
entirely too much emphasis. In re-
gard to some other assertions which
Mr. Hill proposes to make good on
pain of "infamy," Mr.. Stephens has
this TO say:
Mr.. Hills statement, that l knew he
was IN Richmond pending the consider
alton Of the Hampton Roads Confer
ence-that l saw him almost daily
talked with him-and knew the interest
he took in the subject Of the Commits
sion, etc, is utterly unfounded in fact.
His statement that he was In my
room, and told me In the presence of a
number of gentlemen that he should
insist upon my appointment on the
Hampton Roads Conference is also ut
terly unfounded in fact. Let him,
therefore, bring toward his proof, -
name the gentlemen referred to, make
his "retraction, or bear that pain of
infamy," which he invokes.
But the most interesting portion of
Mr. Stephens latest manifesto is that
in which we find the following signi-
ficant reference to the "code" by way
Of personal Renaissance:
On these issues Mr. Hill vauntingly
proclaims that he raises tie black
flag" and will neither give nor take
quarter" He Will tolerate no solu-
ton but proof, retraction, or ;Rfa8ly."
This is all quite Understanding
rather indeed OF the "highfalutin -
order; and coming from anybody else,
but for its extravaganza, might be re-
ceived as the tones of true man of
real honor and chivalry. Coming, how
ever, from Mr.. Hill, what do they
amount to? What does he mean by
the ''black fag?" Judgingfrom hispast
course in like matters the only legiti-
mate inference is that he means by it
nothing but INK Under what other
" flag" either with pen or other hea-
vier instrument charged with the same
lefty fluid, did he ever fight? As for
what he says about proof Tetractiofl
or infanly," it is quite enough for me
at this time and in this connection to
remind the public, that he some seven
teen years ago stated in public speech
at Thompson, before a large audience,
as it was reported to me, that he had a
few DAYS before at Lexington charged
me to my face with having been a
traitor to the Wing party, and that 1
hadcowered underit." When calledupon
to make good this statement as gen,
tleman Of honor, he neither furnished
proof nor made any ''retraction, on
other anaeade for his unfounded and
boasfful fabrication; but submitted to
the "infamy" Of being posted as man
utterly destitute of truth. 1t was after
ms brand was thus fixed upon him
that he. as now, hoisted his "black
dag" and squirted his ink in most dis,
gusting profusiOn. This t therefore, it
Is to be presumed, is all that ne now
means by reference to his usual and
favorite flag"
Looking only to the merits OF the
controversy, in its historical bearing
tbe chances seem largely IN favor OF a
victory for Stephens.