The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-12
sion, and the festivities did not close until an
early hour this morning.
LETTERS READ. 49,"
The following letters were received by the
Stewards, and read last night at the dinner:
GREENvuLE, S. @. Februi

lue IUuOWIlR l0tIcrS we're IocolfSu ny b1lo
Stewards, and read last night at the dinner:
GREENvuLE, S. G. February 6, 1868.
Nessrs Courtenay, Hoarard, Pezer Tupper and Wcts:
MY DEAR sIRs: wish it was in my power to
accept your kind invitation to the forty-ffth
anniversary dinner Of the Charleston Chamber
of Commerce, at the Mills House, on the 11th
instant, and partake Of your good cheer, "the
feast Of reason and the flow Of soul" which
will be there.
In the course of almost half century your
chamber has witnessed many, very many vi
cissitudes in trade and commerce, but none
more disheartening and appalling than those
which now surround you. congratulate you,
however, on your manhood and moral courage
in not giving way to despair. Hope on, and
struggle on, till the black clouds, which now
overshadow your city, are dispersed, and her
wonted commerce is restored
If our dear old State had been let alone after
the termination Of the war, and not visited
with military rule, freedmen's bureaus, and
negro supremacy, your city would. in the
course of few years, have risen. trom her
ashes and desolatioa, to be again the queen OF
the South. But an unprincipled party at the
North, seizing the power of the government,
and striking down the executive and judiciary,
has doomed the wlitle South to poverty and
ruin, in order to continue and perpetuate its
ill-gotten political ascendancy.
1 cannot believe that the Radicals are &C
tuated by any regard for the negro, nor do
think their purpose is only revenge on the
white race. They have got in possession OF
power, and their purpose is to keep 1t, at the
sacrifice of their country's liberty and pros
perity. That is al. But there must he
change sooner or later. Ignorance and vice
cannot always. rule the South; virtue and IN
telligence must resume their sway. ....-s
The merchants OF Charleston nave always
been distinguished, from the earliest settle
ment of tho STATIC. for their enlightened enter
prise and fair, generous delhng. More than
this, they have ever been distinguished, TOO,
for their patriotism, courage and public VIZ
tues. Bankruptcy and ruin may have over
taken many of you, Us they have your State
and The whole South, but you will survive your
misfortunes as your country will hers, and with
your country be once more prosperous and
happy. a
1 am, with great respect and esteem,
Yours truly, b. f. PEhHf.
CHERAw. 8. c., February 7th, 1867.
Mrssrs. ". A.. Co,rtendy, F. j. Pelzer, and
Others, SeaDards:
GENTLEMEN-I have received your invitation,
in behalf Of the Chamber of Commerce, to dim
ner, on the occasion OF its forty -hfth an9veraa-
ry, and beg to return my thanks for the
courtesy.
It would afford me much pleasure I am sure,
If 7 could accept the profered honor, and, for
day CT two, 1 have allowed myself TO Indulge
the hope that might. But find that it will
be out of my power. The earnest anxiety feel
to see the termination and prosperity OF our
commercial interests would render meeting
with those who, in an especial manner, have
those interests in charge, particularly agree
able.
But il is permitted to me only to tender to
you my acknowledgements tor the kindness
which has prompted the invitation, and, pa
tiently as can, endure my own regrets tnat
circumstances dsappolnt me OF the pleasure
you intended me.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. INGLIS.
80 CHARLESTON, 7th February, 1868.
Messrs Courtenay, Hoicurd Pslzer, Topper ana Wis'
Committed, &c. -
.GENT1EMEN: am honored by your invita-
ton to ioin the celebration Of the anniver-
sary of the Charleston Chamber OF Com i cree
on the 11th, and regret very much that absence
in the interior, under previous engagement
will deny me the pleasure Of being present. L
reioice to see that you still maintain the OF
ganization OF this venerable institution. AS
one simply conteniplatlye OF social objects, 1t ls
invaluable to tho community. The social
moral of the South is almost the cnlysecu'lty LEFT
us for the future. We may lose political se-
curity, but no despotism can strip us OF our
moral securities These will ultimately give
us strength, and even lift humiliation into
dignity.
You. obedi mt servant,
w GIT MORE SIMMS.