New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-30
DEATH OF LANGDON CHEVES.

The Charleston Is. c. Ne,cs of June 26 appears in
mourning for the death of the Hon. Langdon Cheves,
which occurred at Columbia on the previous evening.
The deceased was one of the most eminent sons OF
South Carolina He was born in September, l"o, on
n branch Of Calhouns Creek, Abbevie District, and
was consequently in the Slst year of his age. After
receiving an ordinary education, he was placed in the
office of VIM. Marshall, esq., who afterward occupied
a seat on the Chancery Bench. Mr.. Cheves was adj
itted TO the bar about the year lSUO ana formed one
Of the firm of Peace Il Cheves, in large and success
ful practice lie was elected to the Legislature IN
1905. and soon took high position in the House OF
Representatives, where he filled the Craftsmanship at
one time of two important committees =.
He was subsequently elected Attorney-ieneral OF
the State, in which post he continued until he was
elected to Congress.
In 1911 he was chosen to represent the Charleston
Congre ssonal district in the House of Representa-
hves of the United States for the unexpred term OF
Robert Marion lie eerved from lSll TO 1910 In tlls
hodv he was soon a shining mark. We were ON the
of war with England and Mr.. Cheves, as Chairman
of the Committee Naval Affairs assisted by MessrS.
Lowndes and Calhoun advocated the creation Oh d
navy, to which the House and the public were OPP
posed under the encouragement presented oy the
presumed impossible rivslship with the large naval
force Of ngland. Mi. Chevess counseis preVaneu'
and tbe event justified his conclusions on the subject
He-was twice reelected to Congress, and was made
Speaker for two years, making his term oil service
memorable by his advocacy of two measures OF equal
public importance. He gave the casting vote In tue
negative as Speaker of the House. the question OF
re.chart eing the old United States Bank Ihs vote
eyincei his independence, his subsequent conduct
did his moral courage the subject of the merchants
bonds az anst popular opinion and feeling. Ihese
bonds were given for goods imported during the war,
the orders for which had been sent out during the re-
strictive ures and which had become forfeited 10
the United States nOmnally. Mi. Cneves 5 speech
produced profound IMPRESSION inducing the Govern
mout to remit the duties.
Mr.. Cheyes returned 10 South Carolina aiter ms
term Of Congressional service had EXPIRED and resumed
the practice of the law IN Charleston lie was elec,ea
Judge Of the Court of Common Pleas IN 1870 IN when
poet he continued until 1912 lie gave great satiSfac-
ton throughout ms judicial career.
While IN the extrcise o. Judicial functions, ne was
invited to the presidency of the United States BANK,
the administration Of whose affairs had given much
dissatisfaction. Mr.. Ch,vess presidency of that IL
sttution furnished signal proof OF his sound judg-
ment and eminent fiscal ability. He voluntarily re-
signed tlis position in 1920 removed to Philadelphia,
where he returned to the practice OF the law. He
soon returned TO Carolina, however and Withdrew
from all active participation in public affairs occa-
sonay shedding the high; of his luninous understand
inc on public questions IN which he tool interest As
A planter, Mr.. Cheves was highly successful
He was impatient Of contradiction ant was there
fore in association with others deemed II some de-
gree impractcabe. Iu the moral qualities that con-
stute frmness and decision of character, Nj Cheyss
had no superior among his contemporaries. II. never
sacrificed the true to the expedent-nght TO .olicv
1t was his unbending retitude and love OF truth that
created as large measure of confidence ever
enioyed by any citizen Of South Carolina who has
adorned public career while the luster OF his prvat,
virtues, made that career still more Respondent.