Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-05-28
WIN. II. SEWARD.
MiIIIanIG. I.rcsfon.

The dCcease of William Campbell Preston
adds a notable asterisk to the roll of the
South Carolina College for the gifted Glass
OF 1912. In that year he left the classic
shades of that institution, in a class of thirty
five, of whom few few are now surviving
OF these few, our city has several represent
tatives-Hon. Henry l.. Pinckney and our
patriarch teacher, Ehenezcr Thaycr. Our
hOnorcd friend William Cain, Ex-Lieut. Gov
ernor, is another survivor of the Class,
whose most distinguished exponent now Is
Chief Justice John Bolton O'Ncall. The
veteran diplomatist aud genuine representa-
tive of the old school of Carolina gentlemen,
Col. b aufOrt T. Watts, is another of the
honOred survivors who will drop tear TO
the memory of a beloved classmate.
Col, Robert Ii. Goodwin. President of the
Branch Bank, at Columbia, is, we believe, the
only survivor now resident in that city, so
long favored with the presence of Preston,
and so deeply cherished in the affections OF
his capaciuus heart. His heart, indeed, was
AS large, morally speaking, as his brain, and
he loved his friends rs few men ever loved
IIe deserved their love which he in return
rec lived, and no man was more gifted in the
arts and graccs which adorn conversation,
or was more ready To pour out his services
for his friends in social entertainment.
II is indeed n singular instance of deserved
Y.
the great aud gifted Orator will dwell with
pleasing rccOllcctions, that he outlived aud
conquered all political aspcratics aud prciudi-
ces. Passing through an ordeal OF I'M
parallrllcd trial, and political crisis in which
1, mans foes were, in many cases, of his own
l ousehold. he had the good fortune, dcser-
I cdly, to re conquer the confidence and es-
4 en- even of those who we've most bitterly
1 lposed in political conduct and preferences.
I ne call OF William G.. Preston to the Presi-
L ncy Of the South Carolina College was
/ ,norable 10 the State, as 10 himself 1t
/ ic.tcd IL signal tribute and compliment from
l I'm L. Calhoun, who, for thu hrst time, sent
on to the South Carolina College, in con-
/ queHce of MIR. Preslon's accession TO the
.esideucy.
| As an orator, the gifts, resources and &C
1 mpli-hmenls of Vim. &. Preston can never
B fully appreciated, or estimated, but by
ose who heard him. No analysis OF de-
iption eau do Justice to them. A face of
! rye aud expressive feature, n commanding
! cure, aud great versatility and II xibility OF
l cial, manual and bodily GESTURE and ex-
4 eSsion--Ihese were elements of his native
1 dowmenis. To these add the largest and
ST varied culture. and the most devoted
/ ID industrious application, and improve.
| ent OF natural powers, diligcnt study OF
! best models and indriaiigabe prepara-
| ,n--We may have some explanation of his
! cceSs. Ii is due to truth and justice. and
/ the lessons which his example involves.
! at il should lie known aud remembered
4 AZ. however much William G. Preston owed
| nature aud to hereditary qualities, he did
D Il rely on these. He was cmphaticaily the
| chitrct and arbiter OF his own splendid ca
| r and progress. IL is due also TO truth.
| At we repeat a protest. which has often
I n made, against the common but absurd
I 'tion that Orutorical genius is essentially
| cious, supel dCial or deceptive.
Ia William G.. Preston, We bad brilliant
1 Iample TO tie contrary, as ali who knew
I N well can testify.
/ IL is the sad privilege of other AMI ADLER
4 ,nds 10 prepare wurthicr record, aud W.
1 , not now Tecur TO the last great loss OF
I lnlh Carolina aud the country Tor this pur-
III
We beg leave simply TO ask attention 10
I proercdings OF tributary sorrow aud re-
1 set, reported in another place.
l tn. mortal remains OF the last and greatest
4 the orators Of Carolna's glorious coustrl-
I Ton al abe great debatrs OF ISIS 80. will
\ committed To the t-ub this day, az Co
.Hlbia.-- ca riezlen CsUier. My 81