The southern press., 1850-09-03

cogent manner the motives and means by which
the territorial questions have assumed their pre-
sent malign and dangerous aspect
Hon. William c. Preston and Southern
Rights.
Of all the statesmen in this country, there has
been none whose whole career and character
have been more thoroughly conservative than
WIN. c. PREsToN's-whose name recalls the
highest oratorical triumphs ever achieved OH the
floor of Congress.
The descendant of Patrick Henry, the mantle
of that great patriot seems to have fallen upon
him; and none that ever heard his eloquence or
had reason to know the pure patriotic devotion
which animated his every public act, could fail
to recognize that he was not only kindred in
blood and in rrnown, but also in soul, to that
great champion of trampled truth and strug-
Cling right.
For several years past the accents of that elo-
quent voice have been unheard in our public
councis-and the sage suggestions of ripened
experience and anxious patriotism, have been
confined to small circle of friends and neigh
bors, who well knew how to prize the lessons
of such teacher-the very profuseness and
splendor of whose intellectual gifts had served
to make the public place an improper estimate
on the qualities of genius rs solid as it was
shining.
Owing at first to some difference of opinion
on points of policy with the majority of the peo-
pie of Carolina, which he was too honest and in
dependent to modify or abandon, and latterly
to failing he;lth, Mr. PREsToNs public career
closed some years snce-yet he has ever kept
himself informed most thoroughly on public af-
fairs. and been always the earliest apprized of
any changes i'll the policy Of the parties that
have divided the country.
AS President of the South Carolina College,
he has had much to do with moulding the minds
Of Southern youth, and with the masses of the
Southern Wings his voice must ever be poten-
tial, while the whole country must attach deep
Significance to the sentiments and the avowals
of such man. In this great controversy he has
hitherto taken no active part, from motives of
delicacy, and from a lingering hope that some
honorable adjustment Of this pending contro-
versy might yet be made. Those honored with
his confidence and friendship know with what
repugnance he approached the idea of disunion-
how he cherished, as the whole slandered South
always has done, (and the "agitators" most of
all0 the bonds of brotherhood binding the North
and South together-and with what pain he saw
| thnSn bnpIS frott;no tbamsal,ao ,uov Will,
he could be silent conscientously, he forbore
taking an active part in the movement. But
there is point where evey patriot feels HIM
self called upon to take a position, and come to
the rescue of imperilled rights and honor-and
VIM. G. PRESTON has spoken in manner which
shows what he conceives his duty, and that of
all true hearted Southern Wings to be, in this
emergency. If ever man proved his fidelity to
his political faith by deeds as we'll as words,
that man is WIN. c. Preston, who has ever
clung to his party, under circumstances where
any man of weaker will or less lofty spirit, would
have succumbcd. His motives are above susp-
cion-no one can be shameless enough to affix
to his honored name the title Of " Agitator" nor
suspect any selfish purpose in his taking posi-
ton with his section and his adopted State,
against his and her common assailants.
We rejoice to learn that his health, which for
some time past has been very feeble, has Of late
been greatly restored, though his bodily nfrmity
has only served to illustrate the power and
brilliancy of his intellect, as in the case of his
great compeer, CALHOUN. As the scabbard has
worn away, the polish and temper Of the true
Damascus blade have become yet more pcrccpti-
bic. But we must bring our comments to n
close-though the theme is me on which we
would gladly linger, since long elsonal and
political intimacy with this truly great man, has
taught us the rare combination of qualities Of
head and heart which "gave the world assurance
Of man" in his person.
At meeting of the citizens of Columbia S. c.,
on the oath ult, to establish Southern Rights
Association, the following interesting incident
occurred rs we learn from the Telegraph Of that
place:
We cannot refrain from expressing the heart
felt qualification, which one incident afforded Us.
Our distinguished fellow citizen w. G.. Preston,
who during the late session of our College, had
devoted himself to the discharge of his duties as
President of that institution, in the midst Of de.
cinng health, and physical sufferings and against
the earnest remonstrance Of physicians and
friends, had availed himself of the annual voca-
ton to visit the Moultric House, rs a means of
recreation and improvement. He returned to
our town on Friday evening last-the day be-
fore our Meeting and finding that the aspect
Of the weather on Saturday. would forbid even
manifested his interest in the cause, and purpose
of the Meeting, by sending series of resolutions
to friend, to. be presented in his name. The
resolutions will be found in the proceedings of
the meeting and we may remark, that having
been accidently delayed in the presentation, they
could only be referred to the Committee which
had been previously appointed under resolutions