Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-01-04

preceding Congress and had
greatly endeared himself to the
Southern people by his ardent
espousel of their interest when the
"force bill" was advocated.
It i'll prepared them for his tao.
tics the year following and when
be assumed the role of antagonist
and aimed the dart of an enemy
at the person of their venerated
leader Mr.. Davis, it occasioned
universal surprise throughout the
South.
The discussion in the house Of
representatives was on the subject
of general amnesty to the South
ern people. Mr.. Blaine had moved
to strike out the name of Jefferson
Davis on account of his alleged
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connection with the prison out
RACES at atAndersonville, Ga.
Mr.. Blaine had selected his OWL
time and had carefully arranged
his argument. His denunciation
of Mr.. Davis was extremely bitter
and his terrible arraignmsnt was
supported by all the powers of his
great intellect. From sectional
point of view the effort was simply
superb and the character of Mr..
Davis was held up before the
American Congress as that of a
superhuman tyrant. He painted
him in the most terrific aspect as
only a mastery imagination and
a wonderful eloquence could do
without the aid of truth and the
facts of history.
Certainly no one would dare to
reply to such an arraignment. 1t
was great political outrage, of
course, but who was willing to sac
rifce himself by plunging into the
lions mouth?
The eyes of Mr.. Blaine during
the delivery of his argument we're
fixed upon the person of Mr.. Hill.
He seemed to have singled him
out for his greed of slaughter-not
that be expected to be fully an
.mvrvv., .,.ttArdav. sosuo-oue -wouIu
have to make the attempt.
Great enthusiasm followed the
expiration Of every sentence and a
season of the widest excitement
reigned in the house of representa-
tives. Blaine was making the
speech of his life, and his talents
had all along been slowly ripening
for this super-intellectual effort.
Finally the great orator sat down
and the vast assemblage was left
to gaze in astonishment at the elo-
quent hero of the hour.
When Mr.. Blaine sat down Mr..
Hill, without a moments prepara-
ton, arose to reply. He was pre-
vented, however, from obtaining
J the recognition of the chair by
reason of the interference of other
members. Finally he was recog-
nized, after which the body ad-
journcd with the understanding
that Mr.. Hill was to have the floor
the following morning.
During the night several of the
members attempted to dissuade
him. He was resolute, however,
and had fully made up his mind to
reply to Mr.. Blaine.
The announcement in the mean
time that Mr.. Hill, of Georgia, had
been recognized and would ad.
dress the house in reply to Mr.
Blaine's attack the following day,
was flashed from one end of the
country to the other and caused
general rejoicing throughout the
South.
When the following day arrived
the galleries and the floor were
both crowded. Many Of the mem
bers of the upper chamber were in
the room, and several distinguish
ed men from all parts of the
country.
Mr.. Hill entered the room and in
a calm and self-possessed manner
took his seat.
Situated in his immediate neigh
|
borhood were DR.. William H. Eel
ton, General Phil Cook, his col
leagues from Georgia, and also
many other prominent representa-
tives.
Finally he arose to his feet and
in clear and penetrating voice
that vent to the furtherest part of
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