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


were privileged to be present. The
speech came like a revelation to the en-
raptured gathering, and friends and
foes hung with equal avidity upon
every syllable that dropped from his
silver tongue. And when the splen-
did peroration was concluded the elo-
quent d. w. Voorhees,, Of Indiana,
sprang to his feet and exclaimed:
THAT Is the best speech that has been
spoken in this house for twenty years.
1t is as sublime as the inspired words
that fell from the lips of Paul on
Mars HILL"
The date of this magnificent EFFORT
was the 18th of January 1876, and the
incorporating defense Of Dixie
when in the throes Of a mighty revo-
luton, as therein set forth, elevates
the utterance into the dignity Of an
historic disquisition, to which patriot
ic students viii recur with ever-tn-
creasing interest A twelve-nonth
afterward, when the electoral commits
sion bill was the theme of animated
discussion. Mr.. Hills trumpet-like
voice again thrilled his auditors with
the strain OF his impassioned oratory.
In the speech whereto he then invited
attention, he accentuated the wisdom
and constitutionahty of the bills pro-
visions, and the indubitable patriot
ism of its purpose; and his identih-
cation with this important commits
sion while in congress IS unquestion-
ably referable to his advocacy Of the
foundation stone of its existence.
In the fall of 1876 our honored sub
ject was admiringly returned to the
representative post which he had so
fittinglY adorned. Prior to the com
mencehent Of his new term. how
ever. a loftier distinction was placed
within his magnetic grasp. This was
his election as United States senator.
and when the 4th of the ensuing
March arrived, it was to the upper
house that ne proudly repaired as the
scene OF his future triumphs. While
in the senate, some Of his finest
speeches were delivered; and the one,
perhaps, most highly regarded was
that pronounced on the 14th OF March,
1881, and known as his Malone EFFORT.
The outburst was purely impromptu;
and the political treachery OF General
William Malone. Of Virginia, who had
deserted to the Republicans, was the
inspiring cause to which We are In
debted for its majestic utterance. As
this was practically our wOrthy's final
oratoricaI appearance on the earthly
platform, II may not be amtss to re-
call a tribute which has been sympa-
thetically penned in compliment to
the impressive occasion: When SEN
ator Hill rose, We are told, All
eyes were turned on the Georgia giant
AS he proceeded, warming to the sub
ject, his magnificent head became
gracefully erect; his splendid eyes
shone radiant with a genius that
thrilled all hearers, and his long arms
were soon swinging right and left
with the grace and vigor born of the
inspiration of the hour, ever and anon
held out at full length like the wings
of an eagle when poised for long
and vigorous fight. swooping sudden
ly to earth to clutch its psey, and
rend 1t into pieces IN the twinkling
of an eye. No wonder the object OF
attack-his terrible denunciation or
Malone, as the papers expressed It
next morning-no wonder Senator Ma
hone instinctively dropped behind his
desk. now and then lodging to one
side or the other nervously, as IL he
felt the talons OF the great eagle bur
led in his flesh. The speaker did not
look at the Virginian, nor at any one
else, but far away and above the
crowd. as If addressing an invisible
audience and arraigning an imaginary
culprit"
In the midst OF his lustrous career,
and while rejoicing In a glorious In
teilectuaI and physical prime, our
subject received a faint intimation that
his lamented end was near at hand.
In 1878 or 1879 there appeared on the
left side of his tongue a small PIN
pie, and out OF this Insignificant be-
ginning was ultimately developed a
dreadful cancer. With a view to ar
resting the fell progress Of the terri.
BILE disease, thrice did he submit to
dangerous surgical operations, in the
hope of possible benefit. The f1rst OF
these was performed in July, 1851,
while the last was experienced IN
March, 1882. For nearly Ave months
more was he compelled languishingly
to suffer on before he was finally re-
leased from the sorrows and trials OF
earthly existence. During his last
weeks we are told. his power OF ar
ticulation was so far gone that he
was Obliged to resort to a writing-pad
I'm order to make known the subject
matter OF his wishes. At length
death came to bring relief to this
RrandIy endowed worthy. and his head
was bowed in eternal and beatific re-
pose. His grief-stricken demise oc-
Cured at his home in Atlanta on the
18th of August, 1882. He was then IN
his fifty-ninth year, having, for almost
a third of a century. been actively
Identified with commonwealth politics.
His funeral was largely attended, and
when he was laid to rest in Oakland
cemetery II was amid the tears and
sincere regrets of sorrowing thou
sands In the vast popular concourse
gathered to. do honor to this universal
idol the presence OF many prominent
personages was silently noted. Con-
spicuous among these were the state
officers. delegations from both houses
of the federal congress, and the chan
ceIlor and faculty of the University
of Georgia, they having come, like the
rest, to render a mournful homage TO
the melancholy occasion.
Since the decease Of Mr.. Hill monu-
ment has been affectionately reared
as as enduring compliment to his illus
trious memory. The eenotaph consists
of a life-size statue of white marble,
and represents our worthy as gazing
down from a lofty pedestal. on which
he stands ma5estically enthroned.
This attractive memorial. erected in
the spring OF 1886, is located in the
city of Atlanta. and, until its recent
removal to the state capitol, was
placed at the intersection of two of its
principal thorOughfares, and in full
view of the former residence OF the
peerless Georgian, whose name and