Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-26
A GOD GIVEN ORATOR.
BRIEF REVIEW OF THE HON. bENJAMN H,
~A.t-r
.ny charIes Edaeysortt JOnss, Augusta, G..

conflict was precipitated, and he was
called upon to lock horns with the re-
doubtable Joseph e. Brown. A vigor-
Gus struggle ensued between these po-
litical giants, and when the balloting
season of 1867 arrived Democracy pre-
vailed and Americanisn was con-
signed to the dust of defeat by such q
moderate majority that the master
hand of our honored subject was
clearly recognizable. Thus for the
second time within short space was
our talented worthy subjected to a
= political reverse, the like of which he
was never after destined to experience
in his lustrous public career. Such
was the man who, though twice out
generated, was the recipient of the
following complimentary criticism
from his famous rival. Robert TOoinbs:
"You may bury him." he said, under
a mountain that win overtop Pelion
and make Ossa a wart and he would
rise again more formidable than ever
and more ready for the conflict. He is
bound to succeed He was born to ex-
cell" In 1859 our distinguished sub
ject, as the choice Of the American
party, became Identified with the
Georgia legislature IN the capacity Of
state senator, and his Unionist pro-
clivities were never brought into more
eloquent or more emphatic exercise.
During his official tenure in the upper
house he was the dominating leader
of his admiring contingent, being rec
ognized as the abiest debater In a body
which boosted not a few masters Of
discussion. In the sequent or presi-
Dental year, when the Democratic
party, entirely dismembered, opposed
an unbroken Republican front, Mr.. Hill
o1o cd ~ "a nf al n
large on the Bell and Everett or Con-
stitutional-U ticket. Tt should be
mentioned in passing, that the two
other wings of the disaffected Demo-
cratic phalanx were those, Of the
Breckenridge and Lane or state rights
and OF the Douglass and Johnson or
popular sovereignty tickets, while
Lincoln and Hamlin chanpioned the
cause of the uncomproInising opposi-
tion The inevitable result of the hope
less struggle was only too apparent,
and Lincoln's triumphsin the fall was
soon followed by. the undaunted Sc
cession of South Carolina. Early in
January, 1861, came the news OF the
withdrawal from the Union of the
states of Mississippi Florida and Ala
bama, and when on the 10th. of that
month the memorable Georgia con-
vention was convoked at Milledgeville
suspense was general as to the line of
action which would be adopted by the
commonwealth, for the popular senti-
ment was almost equally divided be-
tween the Unionist. and secessionist
factions with, possibly. a small pre-
ponderance in favor OF the former.
And so when the assemblapge was
called to order the outlook was
far from encouraging to the
disruptionary ranks. Had 1t not
been, indeed, for the introduction. on
the 18th, Of Hon. E.. A. Nisbet's inspir-
ing resolution requiring the appoint
naent of committee specially charged
with the formulation of an ordinance
of secession, II Is questionable how
matters would have terminated. AS it
was, the fire-brand had been hurled
and brilliant debate on this patriotic
resolution was soon In furious pro-
gress. With this sOul-thrilllng discus
sion our impassioned subject-a Union
ist member-was notably identified,
and the superb speech he made in OPP
position to- the adoption of the reso-
luton was q most Expressive episode
in this stirring convocation. When
the spirited debate was concluded and
the matter was brought to a vote,
clear it was that the temper of the
delegates had undergone a decided
change. So convinced was Mr. Hill
that all popular, division must be
avoided and that unity of action was
the Oily course TO be pursued that
when he discovered the marked alter
alton in existing sentiment he. there
upon, transferred HIS rock-ribbed alie-
giance-so dear to the hearts OF his
party colleagues-to the exultant Sc
cessionists. The passage of the above
mentioned resolution being thus tri-
iumphantly secured, steps we're at once
taken with reference to the framing OF
the specified ordinance. Among the
$50 ballots as cast IN advocacy OF that
patriotic instrument las against SO
combating it's adoption) II Is pleasant
to remember that the vote OF our
honored subject is proudly Included.
And in reviewing the list Of the II
WORTHLESS to whom was assigned the
task of preparing the designated ordi-
nance, his name appears, imparting
dignity and luster to the accomplished
committee wherewith he was 50 not
ably associated.
At Montgomery, Ala, on the 4th OF
February, 1861, the Confederate provis-
ional congress was duly convoked. In
that statesmanlike conclave Georgia
enjoyed distinguished representation
through ten chosen delegates, one OF
whom was Mr.. Hill. Among the ear
Hest duties of that body was that Of
formulating the Confederate constitu-
ton; and It was our subjects privi-
lege, in conjunction with his talented
coadjutors, while aiding in its COM
pilation, TO affix his sturdy signature
to that historic document. His connec-
ton with this remarkable congress
was theoretically continued through
out its i've important sessions, and un-
til its final adjournment on the 18th
of February, 1862. With the contempt
raneous commencement OF the first
regular congress, his notable service
as Confederate states senator was In
auRurated. 1t was brilliant gather
ing to which he was then introduced;
and with his suspicious installation,