Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-11-10
COL. John AsuE ASTON.

1t is with melancholy satisfaction that we pay the
last tribute in power to friend Of long standing,
by copying just notice of his life and character from
tho obituary department Of the Charleston Jercnry.
No more perfect model of Southern gentleman is
left living, than was the lamentcd deceaeod. Sub
joined is the notice alluded 10:
"Mr Alston son of Vim. Agcrnon Alston,
Esq, Of Georgetown and nephew Of the distinguished
American, Washington Alston. He was n native of
this city, was partly educated here, aud finished his
studies at the Virginia University His planting In.
teres and residence being in Georgetown, he repre-
sened Of tho parishes of that District in the State
Legislature for several terms. During this timo, ho
very faithfully served bis constituency; and while his
entire course, legislator, conservative in q
high degree, he never permitted himself to be mised
by passion or swsyed by prejudice. In 1854 he re-
moved his residence to his native city. A principal
motive for this more was the education of his chill.
dren. He fot this subject to be of vital and absorb
ing interest and bent all his energies to its judcious
accomplishment It was here that tho Leading fea-
lures of bis character fully developed themselves
of oisure, instead giving himaef up to ease,
he srdently sought to be useful. Although he did
not participate In tho strife of ambition, nor seek
public place, he WAS keenly alive 70 all that
concerned tho welfare of the commonwealth, and the
city in particular His chief desire land to this he
used unceasing eifort was to generate and inspire
ston in the inheritance Of talent for painting and
attaining to considerable skill in the art he added to
its cultivation very extended knowledge of its his
tory and literature, In communion with this passion
for the beautiful in nature no loved music and poetry
and zealousy endeavorod to infuse into society the
same TASTE With this view, with great personal er-
crton, hc gathered the productions of our own Fra
ger, and delighted thousands with their contemplation
Frod BY the Of this temporary exhibition, and
encouraged by its general acceptance he was unring
in establishing cart Union" in this place, but he
had scarcely laid the foundation when he was snatched
away. Nor he satisfied with these public efforts
to refine society IIo exercised in private an elegant
although very unostcntatious hospitality and by the
polish aud simplicity of his bearing, manners and
entertainments, he set example of the highest re-
fnement. lie loved genius and virtue, and he SYM
pathized with their humblest possessors whilst he
dcspised the loftest rank without them. When
wealth is the accident Of such man. 1t Is not easy
readily to appreciate its value npublic benefaction
His private virtues not less to be admired than
those which seen on the outside. Unselfsh in
remarkable degree, his heart ovor with benevo-
lence and affection, and tenderness was too gentle
for those he loved Firm and unyielding in the
course of duty and honor, he melted into softness
with the griefs Of Others In his death the public
have met with great loss We dare not refer to his
desolated home.