The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-30
THE LATE WIN. GILMoBE sIMMs.
Meeting of Citizens to Consider the
Practicability OF Erecting a Monu-
ment to his Memory.

In response to call through the papers for
the friends of the late VIM. Gilmore Simms, to
meet at the Charleston Library Rooms, to con-
slider the practicability Of erecting monu-
ment to his memory, a number of our most
prominent citizens assembled at the place
designated at l2 O'Clock NJ. yesterday, among
whom we noticed Hon. Alfred Huger, Judge
Geo. s. Bryan, Hon. W. D. Porter, General
James Conner, Colonel c. H. slmonton, Colo
mel 7. Y. simons, Hon. Henry L. Buist, Ma
jor T. G. Barker, J. Barrett Cohen, 3. s. Dur
yea, M. P. O'Connor. S. Lord, Jr., James M.
wilkinson, Thos. M. Hanckel, C. R. Miles, G..
a. Sass, W. 7. Leitch, B. F. Evans, John Rus
sell, R. S. Bruins.
Shortly after IL o'clock Mr.. B. F. Evans
called the meeting to order, and nominated
Hon. Alfred Huger as chairman.
Mr.. Huger was unanimously elected, as was
Mr. C. R. Miles, who was subsequently nomi-
mated by Mr.. Evans, as secretary.
On taking the chair, Mr.. Huger paid glow
ing tribute to the memory of the deceased, and
aTectionately alluded to his Intimate personal
relations with him, and how he learned to love
and revere the deceased, not only for intellec-
tual ability, but for his private worth.
Two letters relative TO the deceased and the
proper mode of paying tribute of respect
to his memory were read-one from Rev. j.
". Miles and the other from Mr.. w. L. King.
At the request ola number of friends Of Rev.
Mr.. Miles, we publish. his letter in full, as fol-
lows:
TO. the Chairman Of the Meeting held in refer:
ence to- the memory of Ar. Siitms:: ],
Having received an invitation. to attend this
meeting, which 1t is not In my power to ac-
cept In person, beg leave, being with you IN
spirit, to express my humble, but most heart
telt concurrence with the object of the meet
ing. It has not. assembled to eulogize Mr.
Simms-its very object shows our sense of that
worth and genius to which we propose me-
mortal tribute Can-there be in any mind 8
doubt of the "propriety' Of such tribute .
Surely In no one who can sympathize with and
admire the heroic devotion with which MT.
Simms not only cultivated letters for noble
ends, but may say, in certain sense, for the the
sake of his beloved South, upon which has
been reflected the lustre of his own reputation.
Least e all can there be any such doubt in any
one who was privileged to enjoy. his personal
friendship. It was unseffsh, generous and,
above all, faithful and true as diamond, when
once It was bestowed. III was my privilege 10
be brought into very Intimate relations with
him, at time when ones nature Is tried, and
the secret heart revealed mean at time of
domestic affliction. There was then knit. be
tween us bond of affection, which he show
ed on his. death bed was, on his side, as true,
and faithful. and loving as ever. And other
obligations I owe to his noble and generous
spirit for encouragement and suggestion, and
intellectual communing, which prompted and
aided me in some literary efforts, which al
though of the very, hnmblest grade, might
otherwise have never been attempted at all.
AS to the 'practicabilltyn Of the proposed
tribute, was there ever question of the prac-
ticability Of Carolinians giving expression to
their generous impulses, or Of their ever fall
ing to express gratitude and admiration for
the man whom they wished to honor 1t
seems to me, sir, that the object of the meet
ing need only be known, to secure Its accom-
pllshment.
Asking your pardon for having so far tres
passed upon you, remain,
Most respectfully,
-. Your obedient servant
r VI rfyyt