Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-04-03
The SfaA0ato.
REWARD OF MERIT,


Hon. G. G. Memminger, of South Carolina, lately
appointed Secretary Of tho Treasury, Of the new
Republic, is native of Switzerland. He started IN
the world an orphan boy-educated in the Orphan
School in CAarleston-withou friends or the para
phernala Of wealth, bu. by dint Of his own energy
and great talent he has inscribed his name high on
the tablet Of fame. r .... 81.
The above reminds US of the career of another
South Carolinian.
He was the son of parents in very obscure life,
and so poor was his father that he was unable to
educate his son. But that son waited not for
teacher, but began his own education.
As he sat on log, reading, one day, at the age
of twelve clothed in the garb Of country "gawky,
with pants extending barely below his knees, and
his homemade socks endeavoring vainly to reach
the curtailed pants, . member Of the Senior Class
in nsighboring College, riding by, asked what he
was reading-"I am reading Locke on the Under
standing" was the reply ...
why, what do you know about Locke?
"Come and examine me and see"
The gentleman did so; and on his return home
narrated the incident to fellow student remarking,
'"He taught me more of Locke than ever knew
before"
And together they agreed to educate the youth
They sent him to an Academy but it was not
long before he had surpassed his teacher. Nor was
it great while before he was sent to College. He
reached his Alma Mater an awkward, contem2lative
youth still oddly dressed; and for several days he
walked the campus with open mouth in unconcern,
q green, iterate country urchn, so far beneath the
notice Of the faculty. that for several days they
fused to examine such an unpromising specimen of
. candidate. Nor was it until ExGov. Means in
sisted that the examination occurred and to the
surprise of the Faculty, the foolish looking inele-
gantly-dressed country youth passed the ordeal
triumphantly. His first effort was to engage the
Seniors in metaphysical controversy, by which
they were so ashamed that they threatened to turn
back and begin their college course again and learn
something
Time passed on The youth graduated, taking
without competition, the highest honors in Columbia
College.
"What are you going to do?" asked DR.. Cooper,
the President
~ shall preach the glorious gospel Of the blessed
God" was the reply.
"Then, all I've got to say, is, you are carrying
your wares to bad market"
DR.. Cooper wished to see him shine, star of the
first magnitude among statesmen
Years rolled by. The youth became minister,
President of Columbia College, from three lnsttu-
tons received simultaneously the degree of D. D.,
from one the degree of L. L. D., and now as Pastor
of three churches, Professor in Theological Semi
nary and Editor of the Southern Presbyterian
Review, he occupies an intellectual emirence supe-
rior to that of any mind in the Palmetto State.
Dining once with other invited guests, at the resi-
dence of John C. Calhoun he received the compli-
ment due to his Abilities of being requested to lead
off in the conversation. He chose for his subject
Metaphysics instituted comparison between the
philosophy of Plato and Aristotle and that of Hamil
ton Stewart and Reid and for three hours dis
coursed on innate IDEAS mental perceptions the
theory of the WILL the objective and the subjective,
until Mr. Calhoun exclaimed:
"Well Doctor, l give up; for I am unable to
follow you;" and afterwards confessed that his
guest was not only the best Loscian he ever saw,
but the best Preacher he had ever heard"
Perhaps our readers have surmised the name Of
him to whom We allude He is commonly called
Dr. Thornwell.-C Christian Inder.