The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27
HILL AND BLAINE.
THE ONE STATESMAN DEAD, THE
OTHER PKOBABLY DYING.
n Interesting Review of An Event Wh1ch
Goes Down Into History-The Maine
Man and the Georgian.


These TWO names suggest thrllnng
chapter of American forensic warfare.
A memorable scene was that enacted III
the American house of representatives on
the 10th of January, 1876.
1t was & battle of intellectual giants,
and the lien who figured in that fierce
logomachy were the undisputed leaders OF
their respective parties.
1t was memorable occasion and the
eloquent speech of that historic day be-
long to the masterpieces of the English
tongue.
Georgans delight to recall that cele-
brated tilt, for that was the day when
Georgia had the floor 1t was the hour
when her representative was equal to his
opportunity and rising in his seat, which
was destined from that very moment to
become historic, he dared in behalf of the
southern people to accept the challenge OF
the ''plumed Knight"
Blaine and Hlll! Magnificent gladiators
they were and We're equipped for their
great tourney. The represented the CIV
illzation OF two great sections ana each
of oa them me pro%ess 'ne Of 'fs his
constituency. 1t was another great sec
t.oual battle-another engagement between
the north and south. line result OF tnat
contest was il the highest degree lmpor-
tant, as settling forever the dispute be-
tween the opposing parties.
eide ago.
Time has PLAY ed sad havoc since then,
and while tie grass has been growing ST.
lenty for more than a decade over the grave
of Senator iillI, the StalWart form OF MI.
Blame has slowly yielded to the bh9ntlhS III
tuence of time and sorrow unul now IL
resembles an old run, a stately castle
rnt - brink Of dissolution.
The fatal disease which has set the marx
upon N1r. Blame may spare hum Tor yet
d few days i'll its grim pity, but me con-
yiction has log since mashed over HIS o" Ii
mind, as well AZ tnat OF the country, Ihas
his path OF glory has almost reached tnae
dread inev.table--the grave.
He has been "A man of great trlbulatlons
and no one in pubic life has vet WIN the
disapp0int ntntS and the heart-preakils
sorrows that have fallen to the lot OF MI.
Blaine, but with that the present afllcie
is little concerned. 1t is Blaine the mag
netic orator, the champion of the great re-
publican party, who was met anu onel-
come by the eloQuence and logic or ben
tiill. that form, the topic now under con-
SlderatIon.
First democratic Congress Msets.
Congress had been i'll session tor only a
few weeks and was the first democratic
congress that mad eve: met since the war.
MIR. Hill had qualified as representative
and tallet his oath OF olnce On the Stn Oh
December, 1879.
Ills reputation as fearless orator and as
a brilliant adversary in debate rested upon
his record in the confederate congress-
He had vet to prove himself III the higher
parliament of reunited country ana While
he had many friends and ardent admirers
who predicted for him brilliant career III
the American congress 1t renamed 70 De
tested by actual experiment whether their
haspI solid GROUNDS OI
whether they were merely sentimental opill-
ions that We're due to his agreeable person.
ality.
This occasion was not by any means SLOW
in arriving, and the same political providence
that had cast the decision of ballots IN favor
of Mr.. Hill. soon provided an opportunity
for the display of his magnificent leadership
It was the memorable occasion already
referred to--the 10th of January, 1876.
aepute tion of Iir. G>Ins -
Mr.. Blaine had long before this acquired
a national reputation as Il skillful polluclan
and a most accomplished debter. lie was the
acknowledged leader Of the republican party
on the floor of the house, and was a man
of commanding appearance. Ills very per-
sonalty inspired feeling of respect and adj
miration among his sympathlZers, Wnlle a
feeling of awe and apprehension was excited
in the bosoms of those who differed with
him in regard to the principles which he adj
yocated and who belonged to the opposite
party.
He had been the speaker Of the preceding
congress and had greatly endeared MN
self to the southern people by his ardent
espousel of their interest when the "1orce
bill' was advocated.
Tt i'll prepared them for his tactics the
year following and when he assumed the
role Of anita gonist and aimed the dart OF
an enemy at the person of their veneratctl
leader Mr. Davis, it occasioned universal
surprise throughout the south.
Mr. :;.aiue Attacks Mr.. Davis.
The discussion in the house OF representa-
tiyes was Oh the subject OF general amnesty
to the southern people. Mr.. blame had
moved to strike out the name OF Jefferson
Davis on account of his alleged connecuon
with the prison outrages at AnderSOnVlle,
Mr.. PLANE had selected his own time and
had carefully arranged his argument Ills
denuncation of Mr.. Davis was extremely
hitter and his terrible arrangement was
supported by all the powers o. his great
intellect. From sectional point OF view
the effort was simply superb and the char
acter of Mr. Davis WIS held up before the
American congress as that or superhuman
tyrant He painted him in the most terrific
aspect as only mastery inauguration and a
wonderful eloquence could do without the
aid of truth and the facts of history.
Vino Wonid Make the Reply?
Certainly no one would dare TO reply to
Such an arraiGunlent 1t was q great pO-
Iitical outrage, of course, but who was
willing 10 sacrifice himself by plungipg int
the lions mouth!
The eyes of Mr.. Blaine during the delivery
of his argument were fixed upon the person
of Mr.. Hill He seemed to have singled
him out for his greed of slaughter-not
that he expected to be fully answered, but
that some one would have to make the at
tempt.
Great enthusiasm followed the expiration
of every sentence and q season OF the Wild
est excitement rcgned in the house of rep
resentatives. Blaine was making the speech
of his life and his talents had all along
been slowly ripenng for this super-intel-
lectlal effort. Finally the great orator sat
down and the vast assemblage was left to
gaze in establishment at the eloquent hero
of the hour.
Hill. of Geor , Is Recognized.
When Mr. Blaine sat down Mr. EIill with
out q moments preparation, arose to reply.
He was prevented, however, from obtaining
the recognition of the chair by reason Of
the interference of other members. Finally
he was recognized, after which the body
adjourned with the understanding that MIR.
Hill was to have the floor the following
morning.
During the night several Of the members
attempted to dissuade him. He was reso-
lutte. however, and had fully made up his
mind to reply to Mr.. Blaine.
The announcement IN the meantime that
Mr.. Fill, of Georgia, had been recognized
~, 10