The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-26
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

At regular communication Of Union. Kill
winning Lodge, No. A. A. F. ~, held on Thursday
evening, March 2lst 1872 tie Worshipful Master
announced the death OF Bother F. ]. Porcher, in
the following terms:
1t is with no mere form OF words that an
nounce to you, my brethren, that since our last
regular communication. another vacancy has
occurred In the Kilwlnning Lodge, but my heart
feels to it's very depths the void that has thus been
created. Death loves, 'tls said. q shining mark,
and in striking down with his merciless darts
our brother, Francis J. Porcher, he has taken
from us one whose name steod high on the roll OF
those we loved and honored. There need no
words Of eulogy or praise from me to enhance his
manly qualities in your memories.
You all knew him, just what he was-just what
the unanimous verdict Of the entire community
pronounce him-an upright, high.toned, honora.
BILE and generous gentleman, fit type OF that old
Carolina race 80 fast passing away.
Suddenly was he taken from US, without
word or pote Of warning, and even tho fast beat
Ing heart OF Commerce stilled its rapid pnlSations
and men gathered silently and sadly In the
streets and on the wharves as the startling an.
nouncement came upon them like thunderoolt
out of cleudless sky, that "Frank Porcher,, was
dead. ~, tir -
In the prime oflife, full Of busy schemss for the
welfare Of those dear to him, and especially for
the advancement In prosperity OF this his naive
city, bis sun fast passing his meridian, and prom
Using long and peaceful evening, ss 1t slowly de.
scended into the Tar distant west, has been sud
denly eollpsed, rand all stand aghast at the IN.
looked for catastrophe. Ia ''F
Without warning, his bowl has been broken at
the cstern, Just when his family, Ibis friends and
the community were prepared to make the larger
draughts upon 1t. And the strong stan and
beautiful rod upon which we all leaned has been
snapped asunder, aud we are like men cropping
In the dark for our accustomed support.
As Mason, Brother Francis J. Porcher Illus
trated the beauty Of those tenets that we pro.
fess, carried out by an honest heart into every
action OF life; an das bis word was ever guarded
as the apple OF his eye, and the touchstone OF his
honor, SO IN the new obligations he here re.
ceived to keep that word even more sacred, he
found nothing new or difficult, but as In the
past, 80 even as Mason, was he true and stead
fast in all his dealings with his fellow.men.
We mourn tonight true and jealous Mason,
and brother to whom the interests OF this
Lodge were especially dear.
1t was my sad privilege, In company with my
Brother Wardens, to visit his residence en- the
morning after his decease, to tender TO his family
the usual solemn Masonic ceremonies.
The almost unanimous attendance OF our Lodge
at the last funeral services OF our brother proved
that In common with the entire community, We
mourned sincerely for him who had been so loved
and honored.
And one could wish no better epitaph, no
higher need Of praise than such spontaneous
outpouring Of esteem and regard as was eVlnced
In the hush that brooded over the marts OF trade,
In the closed doors and quiet streets OF the COM
merce and In the numerous throng that, with
honest grief, gathered around his untlmely grave.
But words poorly express the feelings when the
heart Is full 10 oyerfowtng, and can only lay
this simple wreath OF affection and esteem upon
the grave Of one whom l loved and admired as
man and a Mason, sad trust some brother will in
troiuce In filter terms that tribute OF respect that
will be recorded upon our minutes, and be at least
slight evidence Of our love and a1ecton for our
departed brother.
The following preamble and resolutions were
then introduced and unanimously adopted:
YorshtprslI .Str-I ask for the consideration
and adoption Of the following preamble anu reso'
tiOns:
forms Of government, II mas oeen tne p1l'hege