The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-26
Hill and Yancy.
THE TRUE STORY OF THEIR COLLISION IN TIE
CONFEDERATE SENATE.
IFrom the Monlkomery AdYertlser |

states that Mr.. Yancy did not die (as has been
supposed by DR.. Hill and others In Mont.
geometry of inflammation Of the kidneys, q
disease from which he had been suffering for
years, but that bis death was produced by q
collision In the Confederate Senate with Mr.
Ben. Hill, Of Georgia, who, when assailed by
Mr. Yancey in secret session, in discussion oil
the navy bill, for giving him the lie, broke
his back, from which he dropped away and
died, an utterly disheartened and dsappoint.
cd man.
The man who got up that story, we mod.
estly suggest, would be model reporter for
the New York Herald, the Hdrpers', or the
Illustrated Netcs. His talents will be wasted
on the "desert air +" of this miserable south.
erp 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.. Yancey had
spoken. Mr.. Hill, in reply, reviewed Mr..
Iancey's record In style which was regard.
ed as offensive by senator's. Mr.. Yancey
arose when Mr.. Hill had taken his seat, and
remarked that rs other senators desired TO
speak on the question be would not consume
the time of the Senate then, but that ut a
proper time be would endeavor to do justice
self. He desired only TO say then that the
assertions Of the senator from Georgia in
| regard to what he was pleased to term bis
autobiography were false, and he knew them
| to be false when he made them.
Mr.. Hill responded quickly from his seat
| that he threw the talsehood back in his teeth.
| Upon motion, the Senate went into secret
ksession. Mr.. Yancey was then appealed to
TO adjust the matter, but reiterated what he
had said, and took his seat. Thereupon Mr.
Hill threw a. heavy glass inkstand, which
struck Dir. iancey on the side Of his face,
bruising tand causing the blood to flow pro.
fusely, but not knocking him down or doing
any serious injury. MIR. Yancey rushed at
Mr.. Hill, but was prevented from striking
him, and here the fight ended.
committee was appointed, and retired 10
report what was due the Senate for breach
of decorum. Whilst they were out various
speeches were made to reconcile the parties.
Mr.. 1anccy was for long time memorable,
but when appeals were made TO him as to
the effect such q rupture would have upon
the cause he was disposed TO yield to the i'm.
portunites of friends. To aggravate the
matter the committee reported censuring
both parties Mr.. Gapcey for the language
he had used, and MIR. Hill for throwing the
inkStand.
Mr.. Yancey protested against the report to
the last; but it was finally accepted by the
Senate, and was afterwards reconsidered and
Withdrawn upon condition that he would not
prosecute bis claim for personal redress any
iurther-he reserving to himself the right TO
reply to MIR. Hil's speech in public, which
he afterwards did in powerful and most
overwhelming effort. The Senate was en-
gagged from about noon till midnight in the
settlement Of the affair.
Members were bound to secrecy. and no
correct statement could be obtained except
from some Of them since the fall Of the Con.
lederacy has made all things public. The
authentic report is probably among the pri-
vate papers of Mr.. Yancey, but our state.
ment is sufficiently accurate for present pur-
poses, being had from the memory Of sena.
tor who was an eyewitness, and is generally
careful Of facts.
1t is thus apparent that this difficulty had
no effect on Mr. Yancey'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 q violent attack of a
spinal disease while be was canyasSipg for
the Washington monument after the presi-
DENTAL election in 1856, from which it was
long doubted whether be 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-
ciatins, but he bore himself like true
Christian statesman, as he was,
through all his sutferngs. He was at
times dclirious 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 Gespaired, or for once faltered, in
bis devotion to southern independence; but
thought Mr.. Davis wanting in forecast,
vigor, and popular sympathies for great
leader. As to his continuously crying TO be
put out of sight, that is simply made out OF
whole cloth, and very thin texture at that.
Mr.. Yancey died as be had lived, loyal to
his convictions. he iorgave his enemies
and prayed God to forgive them for the
miSconstruction Of his motives and his con.
duct A simple marble slab was put over
| bis grave not because he wished his resting
place hid from view, but because time was
required to erect suitable monument.