The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-16
Judge Cheyes.

He was, perhaps the oldest man in the
Convention, and by fat the most distin-
giIished. In genius and ability America
has produced few, such men. Having
comnlenced the world. without an educa,
ton and been actively employed profes-
sionally, politically, aud in the latter part
of'his iiie with his planting interests, he
may hnf haxa the leaSning s--l -ssoncs
many possess. IN honesty Of purpose and
purity OF character, we have never heard
Judge Cheyes doubted. Some twenty
years ago, while riding the circuit and
rambling over the Districts of Greenville,
Laurens and Abbeville, with Judge Huger,
he gayo US the following biographical
sketch Of Langdon Cheves with whom he
had been very intimate, and whom he de-
sired, at that time, to see filing, at some
future day, the Presidency Of the United
States. Judge Cheves was then residing
in Pennsylvania. Hewas born, said Judge
Huger, in Abbeville District. His father
was Scotchman and n trader. During
the Revolutionary struggle he moved to
Charleston, and there commenced business
first on Sulliyan's Island then in the city.
Langdon was lad in his shop or store.
lie was named after the friend and COM
panion ofhistather.who was also Scotch
man, and for some time citizen of Able
vile District. On passing by the Court
House in Charleston, young Laiigdon
Cheves heard Judge Marshall of South
Carolina, then member of the Bar, ma
king speech, perhaps, in some criminal
case, The Judge had fine stentorian
voice, and young Langdon was attracted
by II TO enter the Court House and listen
to the argument. Immediately he form
cd the design of reading law, and the next
morning waited on Mr.. Marshall and ask
ed to'sead in his Office. He told him who
he was, and what his education had been.
For many years he remained at the Bar,
without much practice, but ultimately had
the most profitable busines that any lawyer
eser had in South Carolina, When he
left the Bar his practice was worth twen-
ty-thousand dollars year! This he gave up
to Gen. Robert ". Hayne, who had read
law with him, and was always great IA
vorite.ara r.#a F.n..r r..s e g1-1 ss-g..
.s5Whilst at the Bar, Judge Cbeyes was
several times elected member of the Leg
islature, aud no man in that body ever
enjoyed o more commanding influence
IL was, however, the influence alone OF
talent and ability. /. He never, said Judge
Hugcr, aasociate,I with any Of the mem
bers. He and some other member from
Charleston boarded Together, and kept
aioof from society! In those days ses-
sion Of the Legislature was s continued
frolic Tor most Of tho members. IL was
one Of the rules Of mess that some mem
Der Of il should go to bed drunk every
night, and this rule, said Judge Huger,
was most sacredly kept and never viola.
4 Ted. judge Chcyes devoted himself 70
the business Of the session, was prepared
on every question, aud hence his influence
Whilst ameinberof the Legislature Judee
Cheses was elected Attorney General Q,
tho State. He was elected member %
Congress como yeaFs, before the declara,
ton Of war against Great Britain. III
messed with Clay, Calhonn and Iowndes
and they were termed the war mess.-s-
True il Is, that the great rmeasusa, I'M de
fenca,ofour nationel honor and, national
rights, was mainly owing to their industrv
eloquence and ABILITY. Theycarried thnoual
the House the declaration Of war. II /.
said that when thcy heard OF the capture
of the 1rst BIjtiAl 'Sessei, die news d
which reached them whist At The Dime,
table, they were 20 much elated that the,
proposed and aiI Joined In daacel MucI