Animated by a sincere love of their fostering parent the desciples of Clio assembled en masse in their Hall to celebrate their Sixth anniversary. Nature as if sanctioning their praiseworthy efforts smiled on them propitiously; rendering every assistance to make it one of the loveliest days that the eyes of man ever beheld. The time of preparation having been absorbed, the members preceded by the Honorary ones moved in phalanx to the Hall above; where a brilliant assemblage of both sexes greeted their arrival.¹ Harmony being restored the exercises were commenced by a prayer from Honorary member S. Weston. The President then arose and introduced Mr. Henry Cardozo jr. the orator of the day to the audience.—who after a short introductory directed their attention to the rewards and results of a well directed attention ambition. Sketching the effects which both the extremes of the subject have exerted upon the world, he drew a masterly conclusion from the premises deduced, & left an enchained auditory doubly convinced that an ambition well directed, is propitious of the grandest results. But the members were not left thirsting for intellectual & moral advice, for they received also a full share. Applying the subject to an interest which they should always manifest in the Society, he showed them conclusively that by so doing Clio may point at no distant day to some of the brightest stars of the intellectual firmament and claim them as her jewels. Enchaining their attention in such a strain for a reasonable period, he ceased amid the unbounded applause of the vast assemblage. The audience being invited to the Hall below to examine the Society’s Library. The benediction was pronounced & this vast gathering retired benefited; no doubt with the firmest resolutions to direct hereafter their ambition not to the destruction, but to the good of the human family.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

Page 117 →Circumstances of an unavoidable nature having interfered with the last meeting, the desciples of Clio came out in strength on this occasion. The first roll being called, the proceedings of the last meetings were put to the house by Vice President E. G. Beaird. (the President being absent) & unanimously adopted. The question for the evening was then discussed, & most warmly was it argued untill the President’s hat stopped the debate. It was decided in the negative by the President. The question for the next meeting reads as follows: “Which is more condemnable at the bar of Public Opinion Slander or Flattery.” Mr. W. S. Lord on the affirmative, Mr. S. J. Maxwell on the negative. In consequence of the lateness of the hour the Election of Annual Orator was postponed untill next meeting.* No more business demanding the attention of the Society, it was on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Sec.

*The last roll was called & reporter made his report.

A meeting of the above named Society was held at the usual time and place. The first roll being called, and the proceedings of the last meeting read and approved, it was on motion resolved that the time being far spent, the debates be deferred untill the next meeting. The election for annual orator then took place for January 1855, & on counting the votes Mr. B. E. K. Hampton was found unanimously elected. The Secretary was ordered to notify him of the same. No more business demanding the attention of the body, the reporter made his report, the last roll was called & the society on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Sec.

Errata The committee also reported on the correctness of Treasurer’s account. Mr. S. W. Beaird arose and in an impressive strain moved that a copy of Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. oration be requested by the Society; which being seconded was put to the house, and unanimously carried. The speaker then thanked the members for their good feelings & promised them to comply with their request.

A meeting of the above society was held at the usual time and place. The first roll being called, the proceedings of the last meeting were read and approved. The Orator elect being absent, & having given no answer to the letter informing him of his election, a Committee was appointed to wait on him & procure if possible a decisive answer from the gentleman. During this interval, the regular debatants for the evening were read out; & upon the Reporter announcing Page 118 →their absence, the floor was opened to any member who wished to take a part. The excitement was kept up untill the hour of ceasing presented itself, when the President decided it, in the negative. The Committee having discharged their duty, were relieved from further action. Mr. Hampton arose and after thanking the Society, for their partiality to him, stated that engagements would prevent his acceptance of the honour conferred on him. His resignation being accepted & another election held, Mr. R. L. Deas was declared elected;—who declared stated that he ^would^ give a positive answer of his acceptance at the next meeting. The question for the next meeting reads as follows: “Is France & England right in interfering in the present struggle between Russia & Turkey.”² Mr. W. G. Marshall on the affirmative. Mr. Roberts on the negative. No more business appearing to demand the attention of the Society, the reporter made his report & the Society on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

A meeting of the above named Society, was held at the usual time and place. The first roll being called, the proceedings of the last meeting were read and adopted. The regular debatant on the affirmative being absent & the gentleman on the negative having concluded, the floor was opened to any member. The excitement continued untill the very moment of ceasing arrived; the question was then decided in the negative. Mr. Deas who was elected annual orator stated that circumstances of an unavoidable nature compelled him to decline serving in said capacity; which resignation being accepted, the election of another was postponed in consequence of the lateness of the hour, to the next meeting. The question for the next meeting reads as follows: “Was England right in banishing Obrien, Meagher & their coadjutors?”³ Mr. Robert Sanders on the affirmative, Mr. W. O. Weston on the negative. Mr. Dereef semi-annual orator elect, being notified that the fulfilling^ment^ of his engagement, was nigh at hand, he informed the Society, that the press of engagements, had caused a delay of preparation & that he would when ready, notify them. No more business appearing to demand the attention of the Society, the reporter made his report & the Society on motion was adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Secretary.

A meeting of the Clionian Society was held at the usual time & place. The first roll being called, the proceedings of the previous meeting were read and approved. The debatant on the affirmative being absent & the one on the negative Page 119 →having concluded the floor was opened to any one who desired to take part in the discussion. The time was occupied untill the President’s hat signified that all debate must now cease. The question was decided in the negative. The question for the next meeting reads as follows: “Have the various fairs that have been held tended to excite among the people a spirit of industry and improvement?” Mr. S. Beaird on the affirmative & Mr. E. G. Beaird on the negative. Mr. R. S. Holloway was also elected annual orator for January 1st 1855, & Mr. Robert Sanders semiannual orator. No more business demanding the attention of the Society, it was on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

A regular meeting of the above Society was held at the usual time & place. The first roll being called & the proceedings of the last meeting read and approved, the regular debatants discussed the questions for the meeting’s debate: which was decided in the affirmative. The question for the next meeting reads as follows: Is absolute religious toleration conducive to the stability of a government & the moral excellence of a people. Mr. G. F. Barrow on the affirmative; Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. on the negative. A Book was handed over to the Society purporting to be information in reference to Rio De Jenario [sic] as a present from A. L. Horry formerly a member: for which the thanks of the Society was immediately volunteered. No more business demanding the attention of the Society it was on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Sec.

A meeting of this Society having been prevented for some time by unavoidable circumstances, an extra meeting was held at the above time. The President & Secretary being absent Mr. C. Ludeke was called to the Chair & Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. was appointed Secretary. The first roll being called & the proceedings of the last meeting read and approved, a general election of officers took place. (See List of Same). Mr. R. Holloway Orator Elect declined serving in said capacity, & on his resignation being accepted, an election was ordered for next meeting. The President notified the Society that the semi-annual oration will be heard on next meeting, & the Secretary who was absent ordered to be acquainted with the same, that his business on such occasions, might be attended to. No more business demanding the attention of the Society, the reporter made his report, the last roll was called & the Society on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

A regular meeting of this Society was held at the usual time & place. The first roll being called, the proceedings of the last meeting were read and approved. The President then arose & informed the body that the Semi Annual Oration will not be delivered this meeting as was announced. Mr. S. W. Beaird then arose and moved that an extra meeting be called on the ensuing Wednesday Evening for the hearing of said oration & Installation of Officers, which being put to the house was carried. The President then extended orders for the summoning of Honorary & regular members, as is customary on said occasions.

An Election was again held for the vacant office of Orator (annual) for January /55 & Mr. R. L. Deas elected; who deferred an answer untill the next meeting. The first⁴ roll was then called, reporter made his report, & society on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

An extra meeting of this institution was held at the usual place. The first roll being called, the proceedings of the last meeting were read and approved. The President then introduced to the audience the orator elect Mr. J. F. M. F. [J. M. F.] Dereef, who for a considerable time enchained the attention of the assemblage on the advantages of reading standard works, showed that men of the first rank in science were indebted solely to this medium, for their superiority; that such a course improves the habits & tempers as well as the mind of a man, and concluded with a glowing application of the same to his fellow members.

Mr. S. W. Beaird introduced several additions and alterations to the Constitution; the requisite number being present it was on being seconded adopted. Mr. B. E. K. Hampton arose and stated that in his opinion the gentleman and the signer of the said additions and alterations had assumed the power invested in the Committee on “revision of rules” & that if the gentleman wished such to be done, that it should have been placed for action, before said Committee & that he would move that the Committee be discharged from further action. The gentlemen then explained their position, by stating that the necessity of the same together with the fact of 2/3 being expected to be present, together with the good of the Society had induced them to press it immediately before the attention of the Society; The motion being seconded was put to the house and lost. Mr. R. L. Deas Orator elect, having declined, an election was ordered for next meeting. The regular debates and installation of officers was postponed also untill next meeting. No more business Page 121 →demanding the attention of the Society, the last roll was called and the Society on motion adjourned.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

NB Mr. W. O. Weston seconded by Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. moved a copy of the orator’s address which being carried into effect by the President was heartily responded to by the orator.

A regular meeting of this Society was held on the evening of the above date, the first roll was called, The President in the chair—Mr. Roberts filling that of the Vice President—the proceedings of the last ^meeting^ were read, upon which there arose a discussion—which being settled—the proceedings were then put to the house and approved of. Mr. S. W. Beaird then arose and moved that as the time had much elapsed and but few of the members [were] present—several being out of the City—and some indisposed—that the regular debates be postponed to the next meeting—which was seconded, and carried. The election for Annual Orator for 1855. now took place—which resulted in the choice of Mr. B. L. Roberts—upon which he returned his thanks to his fellow members—and informed them that he would give an answer at next meeting as to his acceptance. Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. then arose and moved that as but a short time remained for the preparation of the Annual address—that the rule requiring the celebration on the 1st of January, be for this time suspended—and that the Orator be allowed to choose any period between that then, and the first Monday in April—which was seconded, and unanimously carried. Mr. S. W. Beaird then moved that as the Secretary would be absent from the city for a while—that some one fill his place which being carried—the President accordingly appointed Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. Secretary “pro tem.” The business of the meeting having been concluded, the Reporter made his report, the last roll was called, and the Society on motion adjourned.

H. Cardozo Jr., Secretary Pro-tem.

A regular meeting of this Society was held on the evening of the above date. The President and Vice President being absent—Mr. Dereef was chosen Chairman—and Mr. ^Roberts^ filled the Chair of the Vice, and Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. Secretary “pro-tem.” The first roll was then called, and the proceedings of the last meeting read and approved. The regular debates then commenced—and were spiritedly carried on up to the latest possible period—after which a decision was pronounced in favor of the affirmative of the question. Mr. S. W. Beaird now Page 122 →offered a resolution—that the rule requiring meetings every alternate Wednesday evening—be suspended for a while—and that the Society meet every second and fourth Monday evenings of the month, which was seconded—and unanimously adopted. Mr. Roberts now informed the body that he had accepted the office of Annual Orator—to which he was chosen at the last meeting. Mr. Dereef now laid before the body a letter directed to the President and members of the Clionian. D. Society—which was opened—and found to contain an application for membership from Mr. A. Bonneau Lee, which letter was accepted by the Society—and ordered to a second reading at the next meeting. Mr. H. Cardozo now presented as a gift to the Society—“Bachman’s Unity of the Human race”⁵ which was received—and upon motion of S. W. Beaird the thanks of the body were returned to the donor. Mr. H. Cardozo now arose and moved that as the delivery of the Semi-Annual Oration by Mr. Sanders did not take place at the regular time—being the first meeting in September last—The absence from the City of several members—the then prevailing sickness⁶—and since—the pressure of business—these together preventing a meeting down to the present time—that he be informed that the Society was now ready for the hearing of said—Oration—which motion was seconded, and carried, and the Secretary directed to inform Mr. Sanders by letter of the same. The business being now concluded—The reporter made his [report]—the last roll was called and the Society on motion adjourned.

H. Cardozo Jr., Secretary-pro-tem

“Omitted”—The question adopted for the next meeting’s discussion—read—“Would it have been criminal in Socrates to have attempted to escape prison upon the suggestion of his friend Crito?”⁷ Mr. H. J. D. Cardozo was appointed on the affirmative—and Mr. Dereef on the negative of the question.

[The following indented entries, for December 29, 1854, and January 1, 1855, appear on two facing pages in the proceedings volume. At one time these pages were attached to each other with four drops of red adhesive along the outer edges. The subsequent entries, for the same dates, offer a clearer account of an officer installation.—Ed.]

This society was summoned on the above date to attend an extra meeting.

The first roll being called & the proceedings of the last meeting read and approved, a notice was received from Mr. Benjamain Roberts stating that he would serve the Society on their regular anniversary; which being put to the house was received. Mr. W. S. Lord Vice-President elect being present was installed by Mr. E. G. Beaird the acting President; who in his turn installed Page 123 →the other officers who were present. The following gentlemen received appointments as Committee on general interests from Mr. H. Cardozo Jr. after his selection as Chairman of the same by the President. Messrs. I. A. Hyams, B. L. Roberts, S. W. Beaird & E. G. Beaird. The meeting was then adjourned over till first day of January 1855.

Erratum: Mr. W. S. Lord acted as President ^(he as vice being installed by Mr. E. G. Beaird:)^ on this occasion: Mr. R. Holloway being not installed till the adjourned meeting on Monday 1st January 1855.

An adjourned meeting was held in the Hall at four O’clock P.M. according to previous notice. A letter of Application from Mr. Arthur Lee & which had passed through the constitutional process was then acted on, & he declared unanimously elected. The Secretary was then ordered to inform him of the same. Mr. R. S. Holloway President elect, who was not present among the other installed officers at the last meeting, was appropriately addressed on the duties of the same. He then on accepting the same was declared legal President of the Society.

An extra meeting of this Society was held at the usual time and place. The first roll being called & the proceedings of the last meeting read and approved, a letter of notification was received from Mr. Benjamain Roberts that he would serve the society on their approaching anniversary, which was received as information. Mr. W. S. Lord Vice President elect was then installed by Mr. E. G. Beaird the acting President; he upon accepting the same position, proceeded to qualify those officers who were present. Mr. H. Cardozo was appointed Chairman on Committee of general interests, who made selection of the following gentlemen: Messrs. E. G. Beaird, I. A. Hyams, B. L. Roberts & S. W. Beaird. The meeting then adjourned to meet on important business January 1st 1855.

W. O. Weston, Secretary

1. 1. Although language earlier in the minutes implies that women attended the anniversary meetings (e.g., “lovely smiles” on January 1, 1850, and “the fair assemblage” on January 10, 1853), this is the first time that a mixed-sex audience is unambiguous.
2. 2. This query pertains to the ongoing Crimean War.
3. 3. William Smith O’Brien (1803–1864) and Thomas Francis Meagher (1823–1867) were Irish nationalist leaders exiled to Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) owing to their involvement in an abortive, armed insurrection against English rule in Page 124 →County Tipperary in 1848. Arriving in Hobart in 1849, Meagher escaped in 1852, and O’Brien was released in February 1854, shortly before the Clionians debated the exile. See G. Rudé, “Meagher, Thomas Francis,” and “O’Brien, William Smith,” both in Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 2 (Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne University Press, 1967).
4. 4. Last was intended.
5. 5. John Bachman (1790–1874), a white Lutheran minister and, from 1848 to 1853, a professor of natural history at the College of Charleston, published The Doctrine of the Unity of the Human Race Examined on the Principles of Science in Charleston in 1850.
6. 6. The Charleston City Council reported that between April and November 1854, 675 people died from fever in Charleston, about 60 percent of them in September. Most of the deaths were attributed to yellow fever. See Report of the Committee of the City Council of Charleston, upon the Epidemic Yellow Fever, of 1858 (Charleston: Walker, Evans, 1859), 63; the report presents comparable data from 1821 through 1858.
7. 7. Plato’s dialogue Crito describes a conversation between Socrates and Crito occurring in the prison cell of Socrates while the philosopher awaits execution. The character Crito pleads with Socrates to escape.