AUTHOR'S MEMORANDUM. As biography of a determinate individual actor, written from sources contemporary with the living character described, must be allowed as the basis of the most valuable history, the public has the right to know the strength of the claims of this volume to fidelity to its subject. In the early years of my manhood, which were the closing years of Mr. Yancey's life, I saw him often, heard him speak, and had favorable opportunities for observing both his public and private life. In a period of five years occupied, in a desultory way, in the collection of data and the preparation of this narrative of his life, I have been the grateful beneficiary of courtesies and attentions from most of the eminent men of Alabama and some noble ladies who knew him best and who survive him. His personal and political foes and rivals have been as frank and ready to place me in possession of facts and opinions concerning him as his personal and political friends and supporters. I was favored by the personal friendship, and confidence, in this undertaking, of his brother, the late Hon. B. C. Yancey, who was in constant correspondence with me up to the time of his recent demise, exchanging visits, in person, with me. Completed truth must measure to the leader of the South in the most interesting and decisive period of American history, that austere justice yet unpronounced-yet a blank, most confusing, in the on-rushing tide of American life. Whether the admitted difficulties which now, since his time, beset Republican simplicity and equities of government are of normal growth, coming out from the original American idea, or whether they are of the character of revolution, as he taught, obstructive, even fatal, to the original American idea, is the vital question which, with or without the story of his life, must command of the Saxon lineage in America unabated and unabating inquiry. A Sincere as has been my endeavor to state the truth, as yet so incomplete, relating to the political influence of the man who, without the imprimatur of official station to recommend him to public confidence, expressed the solemn conviction of the people in his conduct, I venture to hope I have avoided that exaggeration so destructive to such a narrative. But the biographer of Yancey is met, at the outset, with another and a peculiar difficulty. Would he safely accept the exaltation of the orator's virtues, so enthusiastically proffered by those who knew him best and sympathized with his political views and objects? If nay, what must be done with the criticisms of his foes, in which so little is found to disparage the reports of his friends and followers? Birmingham, 1892. DATA USED. Files of newspapers edited by W. L. Yancey; his private papers and letters: Files of Mobile Register and Mobile Advertiser for sixty years; Official records of Alabama; Official records of the United States, including all Departments of the government from the earliest period, and of the Confederate States; The Magazine of American History and a long catalogue of Magazines and Reviews, with newspapers from all sections of the United States. Of early authorities in American history, I have read the writings of Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, etc.; the speeches and papers of Calhoun, Clay, Webster and John Quincy Adams; many biographies of American leaders and orators in all periods; Of later historical works: Stephens, Pickett, Hodgson, Benton, Perry, Cooke, Phelan, McCarthy, Fiske, Hannis Taylor, Jefferson Davis, Brewer, Garrett, etc. I am particularly indebted to memoranda left by Hon. R. Barnwell Rhett, deceased, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Provisional Congress of the Confederate States. The Reminiscences of W. R. Smith, Smith's Debates and the private letters of that distinguished gentleman to me, and the letters of Hon. H. W. Hilliard to me, have specially assisted me. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Climate and productions, and a sufficient area, indicated two nations; two rival political parties, respectively, colonized the two natural divisions of area: the attempt was made to offset natural causes by the application of modern Constitutional principles; the thirteen free and independent States in social compact; the new industrial factor, African labor, assisted the experiment; William Lowndes Yancey lead in the federal re- organization movement, of 1861; the history of the movement of 1861 to be traced through the territorial expansion of the federation of States; this history begins when Mr. Jefferson established the fundamental principle of federation of sover- eign States in the Ordinance of 1784; Mr. Jefferson founds a party; the purchase of Louisiana; the surrender of Texas; the Missouri question; the relation of Mr. Clay to that question; the principle that Congress may incorporate new political com- munities urder its Constitutional right to "admit new States"; A YOUNG ORATOR AND EDITOR..... 1834-1838-The Welch origin of the Yanceys of Virginia; the Welch influence in American government; the character of the Yancey family in America; Benjamin Cudworth Yancey in the navy, at the bar, in politics; the tears of a State fall on his early grave; the Bird family; Miss Anne Pamela Cunningham; the birth and infancy of William Lowndes Yancey; the char- ! acter of his mother; his education; his early development and high influence in his non-age; the nullification movement in South Carolina; Dr. Thomas Cooper and the South Carolina College; the Ordinance of Nullification; Governor Hayne and President Jackson; the advice of Mr. Calhoun; the protest of Mr. Rhett; the test oath; W. L. Yancey's opposition; the com- promise of the question; Yancey's protest; Calhoun's influence; ACTIVE FORCES AND DECISIVE EVENTS... 1840-Yancey's private life in Dallas County; the social features of Alabama immigration; Dixon H. Lewis and Henry Gold- thwaite debate; W. L. and B. C. Yancey establish the We- tumpka Argus; W. L. Yancey's fortune sacrificed; he goes to the bar; the Harrisburg Convention; the slave and free States at Harrisburg; the Campaign, of 1840; its decisive character; Yancey's oratory; Fitzpatrick elected Governor; the extrava- 1841-1844—John C. Calhoun at Montgomery; Yancey's remarka- ble success at the polls; his speeches in the Lower House of the Legislature; his refusal to be re-elected; his election to the State Senate; his course on bank reform; his argument for the "white basis"; his argument for woman's statutory estate; his 1841-1845-The State Banks involve the State educational fund; the Wetumpka Argus leads for Bank reform and free schools; the Democratic party avoids the issue; Governor Fitzpatrick and the result of his administration on the question of the Banks; the Democratic State Convention of 1845; the candida- ture of Chancellor Martin; Martin elected Governor; his course toward the Banks; the endorsement of his policy by the Legis- lature; Commissioner Lyon executes the Governor's plan; the work of the Bank Commissioner redeems the honor of the State. 1844-1847-Congress repudiates the settlement with South Caro- lina; Mr. Adams' activity; Clay and Calhoun retire to their farms; Clay a candidate; he visits Alabama; Yancey answers the question "Who is James K. Polk?"; Dixon H. Lewis pro- moted; Yancey's memorable canvass for Congress; his great triumph at the polls; his first speech in Congress; its effect; he accepts the challenge of Clingman; the duel; the Course of Preston King in Congress on the duel; the action of the Ala- bama Legislature on the duel; Yancey elected to Congress a second time; he resigns; his ominous utterances; the Cottrel |