The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-06
A LAMENTED CITIZEN.
THE EaTEF. PORCHER.
Tribute of the Chamber of Commerce.

A special meeting Of the Chamoer OF Com
merce was held yesterday afternoon at two
o'clock, In their hall, President 8. Y. Tuppel
in the chair. The fact that the meeting waE
called for the purpose of paying fitting
tribute to the memory of their deceased Vice
president, caused an unusually large attend
ance of the members. The meeting having
been called to order, President Tupper rose
and said:
The purpose of our meeting today brings
with it Interesting but most melancholy asso
| cialions, We have come together to give eX
| pression to the regrets of This Chamber fol
| the loss of an estimable officer, friend and
| associate.
The shock which we experienced at the an
nouncement OF the sudden death OF DIT. For
| cher. when we last assembled here, has meas
uraby passed away, but now there comes to
us with stronger force the recollection OF MS
virtues. and the realization of that great loss
which our association has sustained.
have no desire to anticipate those eXpres-
sions of sorrow and regard Whlcn, ON This oc-
caslon, may iall from worthier lips than mine;
| but. in Justice to my own feelings, embrace
the privilege In my official capacity to bring
| some tribute to his worth, and place my gar
| land of affection upon the bier Of our friend.
Mr.. Porcher illustrated In his life an energy
| of character, industry and enterprise Whicn,
combined with his truthful, fearless and oe-
neyoent nature, furnishes the best type OF a
Southern gentleman. But Id estimating ms
WORTH we cannot lose sight Oh tnat at naansy oans
consistency which peculiarly marked his char
acter. UncompromisIng In his deYotlon 70
nrincinle. and outspoken In denunclation OF
error. he could never barter honesty for gain,
or truckle to the petty cheats and deluslons OF
the times.
"His mind was ,oyal, just and free,
A crystal in its plain integrity"
He was cheerful and self.rellant, and never
known to despond In the darkest hour Of per-
sonal trial.
The UNMARRIED routine of his daily duties, 80
well and courteously performed, his genial
temperament and the generous impulses OF
his heart were 30 natural to himself, so mucn
part of his combination, and SO familiar to
our view, that we almost ceased to remark
them. Like the beautiful proportions of some
1redt temple, the magnitude and Importance
of the structure Is lost in the harmony and
consistency of Its several parts.
True and steadfast In his friendship, he won
the attachment and devotion Of all who were
susl host oil mourners that stood around bis
grave, testified to the public sorrow and the
estimation In which he was held.
Long may his memory rest in our hearts.
The committee appointed at the last meet
ing to prepare suitable preamble and reso-
lutlous, expressive Of the sorrow of the Cham
ber at the death of their late second vice.
president, F. ]. Porcher, through their chair
man, Mr.. L. D. Mowry, reported the following:
It has pleased God, In His al!-wlse provi-
dence, to enter our Chamber and again to
strike down another esteemed and worthy
officer.
called to mourn the death OF our former re-
spected president, the late Robert Mure, and
the kind voices of other prominent members
have also been hushed, and are silent IN the
grave.
But few days ago we had elected Frank j.
PCrcher as our second vice.president, and had
indulged the fond hope that he would long be
spared to us; but 1t has eeen otherwise or
dered, and we submit to that decree from
which there is no appeal.
Our deceased friend was long identified with
us, and by his warm and genial heart, kind
feelings, added to which bis wise and SOUND
counsels, contributed In no small degree to
advance the interests of this organization.
Mr.. Porcher's life was marked by high
sense of honor, strict Integrity, energy; and
qnielly dispensed his charities.
He Lcssessed a thorough knowledge of our
harbor, lis channels and banks, noting with
care, from time to time, the various changes
they were constantly undergoing, and but
lew were better able to aid In advancing our
Immediate marine interests, or as well &C.
quainted with Its actual condition, and as
compeient to give correct Information.
bis was not a superficial knowledge, but
obtained from long and patient examination,
attended with much labor and expense. 1t
was with him labor Of love, and the only re-
ward looked for was In the welfare Of his ma.
tive city and his fellow citizens.
1t is proper and fitting that we place on
record a slight tribute Of The esteem In
which we held him while living, and In re-
sect to his memory now; be 1t, therefore,
Resolued, That In the death Of our second
yce-presdent this Chamber has lost an hon.
ored officer and valued friend. and our city
an active, enterprislng and useful citizen.
RESOLVED, That we will cherish his virtues,
| and emulate his noble example for honor, strict
| integrity and uprlghtness.
RESOLVED, That page In our minute book be
| inscribed to his memory.
Resolved, That copy OF this preamble and
resolutions be forwarded by our secretary to
| the family OF the deceased, with the expires
sions of our sincere sympathy In their deep
affection under this sudden and sad bereave-
ment.
Mr. C. Richardson Miles then rose and said:
Mr.. Presidential is, indeed, a sad occasion
on which I, for the first time, assume the
privilege of member Of this Chamber; but
connected az | was with the member, whose
death you have assembled 10 depore, by ties
of friendship, Of Kindred, claim, with mel
ancholy pleasure, the privilege of uDiliDg my
voice with yours in this tribute Of respect and
affection.
There has ever been In the hearts of men q
terror of sudden death-so that we have been
| taught to pray for dellverance from 1t as from
some great caamity-cou with the petit
tlon TO be delivered from ''bRttle and murder. "
| But when death-unlooked for-his presence
| unsuspected Strikes one In the centre OF the
| busy throng of active life, the crash of the
| blow produces discord, the shock ofwhich
| Is felt with peculiar sharpness, and which
| vlbrates far end near
Our friend was so identified with life In all
| Its phases, and interests, and pursuits, that he
| was the last one associated in OUT minds with
the thought of death. And yet he 1t is who,
while in the very acme OF his activity and
usefulness, has been snatched away, and we
| all who knew him 30 we'll shall know him no
more. And yet not so-although we shall no
| more look upon his form and face, 80 familiar
| to all amongst whom he moved 30 actively,
| the very embodiment of energy and life;
though we shall no more hear his cheerful
voice, shall no more feel the cordial pressure
of his hand, the genial influence OF his pres
! ence, yet shall we continue TO know him,
while we cherish and keep alive his memory.
Let us then, In good old English phrase, "keep
| his memory green"
To this end beg to bring my simple wreath
| of affsctlonate remembrance to be laid on the
monument erected 10 him In your hearts.
The abounding life and energy which 80 pc.
/ IL. H.