Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-26

the upper nOuSes he eHJOycu the SAbnoA
distinction of being the confidential
friend and adviser of President Davis,
being at all times regarded as one of
the ablest and most influential sup
porters of his embattled administra-
ton. So acceptable were his senate
rial services, that his official tenure
was prolonged until the close of hostil-
tiles. Upon the eventual disbanding
and disintegration of the Confed-
crate congress on the 18th OF March,
1865, he returned to Georgia, and peace
fully re-established himself in his La
Grange home. Here ii was that he was
arrested in the sequent May by FEEDER
al officers, being carried ito Fort La
fayette in New York harbor, for tenn
porary confinement. Two months later,
hts release on parole being vouchsafed
he was once more permitted to gaze
upon his devoted family. From this
time on until eventful 1857 he bore no
part whatever in public affairs. attend
ing strictly to business. and permit
ting nothing to entice him from his
retirement. or to divert him from the
practice of his profession. In the last
named year, however deeming the sea
son for intense action had arrived, he
donned once more his armor Of ag-
gression, and prepared to face the
coming conflict. In proof of the con-
secrated zeal Of our honored subject in
this darkest era of southern history,
We would state that throughout and
up to the end Of the reconstruction pc
ribd his vocal minlstrations in behalf
OF his oppressed but determined coun-
trynen. so matchlessly eloquent in
their tone, and sublimely patriotic in
their spirit, were steadily continued.
Holding no ONCE, and recognizing only
professional demands, be was enabled,
in sense, to become political Moses
to his beloved people From his tnspir-
ed and heroic oratory in this season
of universal despair, Georgians de-
rived endless encouragement. So slim
ulated, they were persuaded fearlessly
to persist in their herculean struggle,
in the confident expectation of even
tual triumph. Among his splendid con-
temporary utterances, we would refer
to his famous Davis hall effort in
July, 1861, which has the credit OF be-
ing the first speech made in the south
in denunciation of the infamous recon-
str1ctfon measures of a republican con-
gress. Constituting the foremost step
In the glorious work of Dixie's re-
Mobilization, the unifying effect of this
courageous outburst was widely
apparent and paved the way
We would also call attention to his
memorable bush arbor grafton in At
lanta a twelve-month later, when for
scathing invective and ifnpassioned or
atory. he fairly eclipsed his own pre-
vious masterful performances. The en-
for the states ultimate redemp
ton from Ignorance and corruption.
thusiastic reception accorded to this
magnificent address was perceptible
throughout fits soul-stirring delivery.
So impressed, indeed, was the peer
less Robert Toombs with its burning
and incorporating sentences, that,
the appeal ended, rising In the crowd.
tossing up his hat, and embracing the
illustrious speaker, he shouted: Three
cheers for Ben HILL" About this time,
the celebrated Notes on the Situa-
tion, so hercely denunciatory Of con-
gressional reconstruction legislation,
began to electrify popular attention.
These papers, twenty-five in number,
made their historic debut in 1867, and
for two years or more was their ener-
gizing publication irregularly continued,
The beneficial influence as exerted by
these unrivaled documents was tre-
mendous in it's scope, and 1t is believed
that no political writings ever produc.
ed deeper impression, or accomplish
ed greater results. Abiding to these
incompatible notes. Henry w. Grady
was pleased to observe: I'm my opin-
ion, they stand alone as the profound-
est and most eloquent political essays
ever penned by an American. They
were accepted as the voice of the
south. uttering her protest and plea.
and as such were discussed on the
streets of London and the boulevards
Of Paris, no less than in the cities of
the north Even now they stir the
blood and kindle the pulse of the most
phlegmatic reader; but this is but
hlnt of the sensation they produced
when they were printed. Had Mr. Hill
never spoken one speech, his Notes
on, the Situation would have stamped
him as one Of the greatest men Geor-
gia ever produced"
Although the contest so vigorously
waged by our honored subject with
trenchant pen and eloquent voice.
proved inadequate to compass the de-
feat OF the Objectionable measures, one
substantial result did flow from the ex-
citing conflict This was the solidi-
fcation of the southern whites, and
the unifcation of sentiment so that
they labored to a common end. In this
way, the deliverance OF the state from
the direful control of alien enemies
was assured, her affairs being restor-
ed to the management of her own
people. The change came In July,
1870 when, in view of her compliance
with the authorized requirements,
Georgia was adjudged reconstructed,
and as entitled to representation in
the national halls. Hitherto, Mr.. Hill
had strenuously opposed the adoption
of these infamous enactments; feeling
conscious that his fellow citizens could
not voluntarily concur In their ratih-
cation without besmirching their time
honored annals. When, however, con-
ditions were altered and the legislative
acceptance of the designated amend
mcnts became an established fact. he
thereupon held that conciliatory meth
DDS should be substituted for the un-
compromising tactics which had be-
fore obtained. From this time on his
earnest effort was to persuade Geor-
CLANS as to the paramount expediency
OF the milder policy as suggested. In
prosecution of this self-same purpose,
our honored subject, in December. 1910,
submitted a carefully prepared address
to his brethren, explaining the reasons
governing the emtamorphosis In his
enlightened conduct, and urging them
to inmitate hts illustrious example
At first, his position was misconstrued;
and great was the clafnor at his turn
coat and unpatriotic behavior. Perceiv-
Ink. however, that further resistance
TO the repulsive measures was futile,
ana that .acqufescence In the stern re-
suit was the only course to be pursued,
little by little, the people came TO APP
preciate the motives underlying our
worthy's seemingly disloyal conduct.
Il H. 1t