The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-06-20
Hon. VIM. C. Preston.

In the death of VIM. CsPreston, of South
Carolina, which we were called upon to an
nounce. the South blend their tears over the
grave of one of the most illustrious orators,
patriots and statesmen whom the South, pro-
life Of eloquence and craftsmanship, has ever
given to the country. Probably, since the
days of Patrick Henry, whose blood flowed in |
his veins. there has been no such orator in
America as Vim. C. Preston. Who that has
ever seen his towering and graceful form +; his
gestures, that spoke more eloquently than the
tongues Of most men his lace on fire with
inspiration and who that has heard that voice,
which has been likened, in variety and sweet
ness Of tone to the notes of mocking bird,
and which sometimes rung upon the ear like
trumpet call to battle, but has awarded him
the palm of being the first orator of America
As not without interest at this time, we re-
produce sketch of Col. Preston's career, from
the pen Of Columbia correspondent
South Carolina's greatest living son, Col.
| VIM. C. Preston, resides in Columbia, though,
!
| erally in Virginia. The feeble health which
has secluded him in measure from active
life, has not affected his magnificent intellect
Since the days Of Patrick Henry whose blood
is in his veins, America has had no such ora
tor as VIM. c. Preston was in his, glorious
prime. Col. Preston, as learn from the val
liable history Of DIR. La Borde, to Which have
before referred, was born Dec. q, 1894. HIS
paternal grandfather was Lieutenant CON-
mandant of Augusta county during the Revo-
luton his mother the only child OF Col.
Campbell, of Kings Mountain, and her mother
was sister of Patrick Henry. Hecommenced
the study of law in Richmond in the office oil
| VIM. Writ. He afterwards visited Europe
. and took a course of instruction on Civil Law
in the celebrated University of Scotland, IN
Edinburg. On his return, he selected Column
I bia, South Carolina as his residence, and com
, nenced the practice of the law. In 1928 hi
f was elected to the State Legislature, and II
: 1880 to the Senate of the United States. BE
e yond dispute, he was the first orator IN tina
: body. When South Carolina, in the Presi
!: dental contest, concluded to give its supper
t to Van Buren, and his party, Col Preston re
:: signed his seat and returned to the practice
/ the law, in which he was employed, when
# 184S he was elected President of the Sout
a Carolina College. DIR. La Borde-who re
n marks that Mr.. Preston was the contempora
n ~ of McDuffie Hamilton, Hayne, Legsr'
= Hooper, TurnbuIl, of which brilliant group h
It is the solitary surVivor-slys he was unequa
lie led as popular speaker by any of the men
bers, unless it be McDufie In constitutions
Of power he has had few equals. "Who thu
10 has ever heard him." says DR.. La BOrde 6 ca
,r forget his point his anecdote, his fullness, h
he variety, his ease, his grace, his vivacity, h
IS elegance, his initiative talent, and that curior
D. felicity OF expression which, in South Carol
De na has been characterized as Freshman
n Still, under the pressure of severe bodily II
re firmities, he is cheerful social brilliant in Co
IN versation, distinguished by the same readine
It. and aptness of quotation and facility OF lllu
ne tration which have ever adorned his literal
t. character, the flowers of wit and genius beat
Ne tifying with their bloom and fragrance d
e. grand old physical structure, at which Disea
has dealt some heavy blows, but which st
of- stands high and erect, noble and imposii
We even in its age and decay.
of Col. Preston is no less distinguished by Il
a. benevolence and generosity of his charact
lit than by his intellect and scholarship. II
fl Columbia Athenaum is noble monument
IT. his liberality and love of letters. This ms
Ter tuition was established by him, and he ma
on it gift of his own library. The venerat
,se statesman and orator is still quite hopeful
las the Republic. He does not share the for
lie bodings which Cypress SO many Of our mint
on Col. Preston is about to leave Columbia on
nd periodical visit to Virginia, and, amid the br
&C. cling airs Of its noble mountains, let us no
in that he will breathe in new strength of boz
by and fresh buOyancy of heart.