The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-04
WILLIAM L. YANcEY.
By Mrs. w. w. Screws.


 Madam President and Members of Dixie
 Chapter: -
 To those of the present day the name of William l.. Yancey is not as famillar al it was half century ago. Then ne was in the zenith of his fame ana as well known to the North and west as to the people Of the South. He was known for his powers as an orator ana for his constant contention for the rights of those who held properly Tn slaves.
 must acknowledge to sense or dread when learned of your selec- tion for reader at this meeting and to a desire to shrink performance or the duty assigned me. Now l feel ike re. turning thanks to our Chapter Tor lt has led me to perusal of the splendid work Life of yYm. L. Yancey," by MT. John W. DuBose. That book is worthy of a place in every home in Alabama. From the home surroundings or MT Yancey's early life we might well ex- pect that he would be guided In all his movements by sincere attachment to truth and to a high order of principle MT. Yanceys ancestors were Welshmen who settled in Virginia in 1642 with Governor Berkeley. There were four brothers, William, Charles, Joel and Robert Yancey They became prosper ous farmers in Virginia, and Charles Yancey of Buckingham, was man Of note In those early times, and was Tor thirty years in public life. MT. D1f Bose's history does, not disclose from which of the four brothers our supJeet lineally descended. His grandfathtel. however. was Major James Yancey or tbe Virginia Continental Army, who as inc close of the war for independence , settled in Laurens County, South Care ina and entered upon the practice or law aa married lady of Charlesto1s Miss cudworth. TO them was porn a son harmed Benjamin Cudworth' m 1tSo: Ibis son was thoroughly educated at the best schools of ms oay. S As Soos es as his age permitted he was placed as midshipmhn en Captain Truxtons nag shin, He was In two severe naval eh- agreements and acquitted himsef Wlth honor. One of these was February s' l799, when the American ship, Constel- lation, thirty-eigh guns, encountered the French man-of-war LInsurgente' forty guns, and the French surrendered. In February. 1900. the Constellation at tackled the French man. -of-war La Ven- geance, off Guadaloupe. The French ves5els escaped in a sinking condition with great loss of life. Captain Trux- ton was unable to pursue on account of the loss of his nainmast and the storm that prevailed. In consequence of q misunderstanding with the Navy Department his name was summarily dropped from the navy role. Young Yancey thea resigned and at once ent- cred upon the study of law and in due >time began the practice at AbbevilIe. He and John c. Calhoun occupied the sarne office They entered the State Legislature together and were conspic- uous supporters of MT. Jeffersons poll icy against which New England threat ened to revolt. There was a brilliant array of young men In that Lesisla- ture, and Lowndes, Calhoun. Cheves, Yancey and Wilds composed the fa- nous South Carolina galaxy Mir. Yam oey took high rank at the bar and his legal ability was the cause of his be- Ing chairman of tho Judiciary Com mittee in the House, a great honor for one so young. He was induced by MT. Daniel D. Huger, a great lawyer in Charleston, to go to that city and enter Into partnership with him.
 On the Sth of December. 1908, he was married to Miss Caroline Bird, daughter of ,oI William Bird, at his home, called the "Aviary." in Warren County, Ga, SO