Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-31

event was announced in the Federal Circuit Court then
in session. when Hon. W. D. Porter sait:
"The feeling of admiration and kindly respect enter
tanned towards the distinguished dead npes me to add
something to this spontaneous tribute his memory.
Col PrestOn's gifts were no less various than emf
nent lie not only lawyer, but scholar, orator
and a statesman. His oratory was something wonderful
probably unsurpassed in his day, and spoke of him
as the 'inspred decaimer" Aad his day was not the
day of common men. Calhoun, aud Chv and Webster
then shook the Senate and shook op the hearts and
understanding of the or of the country As
an orator. TO arouse the feelings and weld the passions
Col Preston was not less than their peer in some re.
spects he was superior to any of them H. ident
fed too with the advocacy OF the great principles of
Free Trade and States Rights.
do not know whether great times produce great men
great produce great tines probably they act and
react each other But certain 7 TINT all States and
countries have their periods eras which Illustrated
bv the advent and of sngnlary gifted men, aud
they seem to come in groups About thirty years ago
South Carolina had such an era-the most brilliant in her
history since that Of the Revolution 10 speak only Of
the dead there we're Calhoun. and MDulie and Turn
bull aud Hamilton and Hayne, and iger and Drayton,
aud Polnsett and Legare,any one of whom would have H.
usrated the annals of any STATE. With all these, whom
he survived Col Pre- .0n was Almost tie only connecting
link It makes the dings OF hs deat the sadder and
the more touching that il calls up tie memory Of 81
much brilliant talent and so much distinguished public
virtue lost forever the county Trse all marx
ed men; the objects OF admiration 10 inends and follow
ers who looked 10 them for counsel ani guidance Ii
memory worth cheiishing, TO have seen and heard
them with al their brilliant endowmeuGs; their glorious
riyaes, and their wonderful control the opinions
and affections of men, lie who has lust gone down TO
the grave stood among them ike prince among prin.
ces-a glorious being endowed by the Creator in the
ayishuess Of his bounty with eSceng gifts and grlces
10 excite the love, and wonder, and Animation OF men
In midcNeer mysterious visitation Of Providence fell
Q intel flanNa1
but untitled him Tor the strong arena Of politics. His
later fortunate aud happy The orator became
again the scholar aud the Statesman transformed in
the teacher OF wisdom and virtue TO the youth of the
Commonwea ealth.
Its an instonce of the magnauimity whnh think sin
euarly distinguishes our people that With voice they
elevated Col Preston, from whom they, at that time
greatly differed in political opinion to The Presidency Of
their cherished State Institution where became his pro-
vince to mould the opinions aud fashion the characters
of those who tr!y the young hope Of the state He
was most faithful in his seryco-aud many now living
bear grateful testimony the eevating influence upon
themselves of his pure character and his brilliant and
cultivated intellect. The College inspired
universal confidence than when uuder his most
Eul administration.
The star that has just set was one OF constellation
that has Illuminated, only the skies OF our State but
the skies OF the whole country He il almost the last
that remained 10 Of galaxy OF great men, whose bill
Iancy vii. not be replaced in day. We honor our
selves in doing honor 20 their memory and although
the duty asked az the hand, of your Honor be duty Of
sorrow it will be discharged promptly and faithfully, be-
Is tribute TO great worth forever departed
Ou Thursday morning, the 2i,h of May, at 10 O'Clock,
says the Columbia South CroindR the funeral rites OF
the Hon. William C. Preston, solemnized by large
attendance OF the citizens OF Columbia, comprising
friends aud relative OF the family, and those who
attached to the hOnored dead for the interest which he
ever ey!uced in everything connected with the interest
81 .tf a.NVa h.nl LnvU FrTVt
the house OF Col John s. Preston, accompanied by tie
following pall-beaFers:
Mai Theo 5. Stark, A. r. TAYLOR, F. W. McNaster,
Thouas Taylor G. r. Bryce, W. H. Blchman, j. &.
Gihbes B. W. Mef", Next came the family and con-
nrctious, among whom recognized the venerable
torn Of Judge King, OF Charleston, and General Waddy
Thompson Of Geenyio then the physicians, Drs. Trez
and Gibbes then the servants; then the Trustees,
Faculty and Students Of the College; next the citizens
followed by a long line Of carriages.
When the procession reached Trinity Church, already
large number 0! persons had there assembled and it
utterly impossible that al eou.j De accommodated.
Not oLy were the seats occupied but the aisles were
filed by persons standing. The solemn service per
formed 10y the Rev. Mr.. Shaud The whole ceremony
vas a profoundly impressive one. The beautiful and
touching hymn, II would not live always appro-
priately selected On 10 occasion could it have been
sung with of solcmuity because of the peculiar
plOprety OF the application. IL a requiem one
whose erthy had been brilliant aud iustrOus.
There vas none OF his great comper, VINO III the com
binatiOn OF burning eoQuence, cultivated and refined
apprecation and eloquence Of dclion, was his equal
He had lived a life much beyond that allotted 20
He loved honored and admired by those who knew
him, and honOred and admired by those TO whom his
name only was ami ia. Disease had incapati'ated bin
for further usefulness q public man: ailicton had
blasted his and dearest domestic ties aud religion
had allured him from life and smoOtLei his path to the
grave The r QUEEN te upon the ear of all who heard
with solemn and soothing symphony for they felt that
lies battle with the wearied warrior and the
boon Of peaceful repose had BEEN granted him After
the ceremony The body then inferred in the fam
lis burning ground where rests also bis wives and his
laughtpr