Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-11-21
ToR TIE WING.
THE LATE SENATOR PRESTON.

Drup. on Sunday, the l6h inst, at his residence at
Snitbheld, MONTGOMERY county, the Hon. WlLLlAA
BALLARD PRESTON, one Of the Virginia Senators IN
he Confederate Congress, aged about htty-six years.
Hr. Preston ~As emiuenly worthy Of the high public
aouors conferred upon him. His reputation was spot
les; hs habits unexceptonabls; his nature ust,chiVairous
md %siucire; his kindness was unvArylnei MS charites
perpetual. He vas endowed With . ferTent ~eloquence,
, mind vigorous and acute, and . spirit which pursued
its objects with practical eArnestness, and win ft|pst
unvar,ing success. He had addsd TO the advantagdsofA
liberal education, excellent literary aud professional At
Aiuueuts. He bad pers1nL experience IN the most i'm
oortant events, and an intimate association with the most
am 'nent statesmen Of hs day.
Derived from the pioneer soldiers and statesmen who
had served Virginia IN all lee trials, Mr.. Preston was
imoued with an earnest and surpassing love for bis ma.
i've land. The welfare Of her people and the safety of
aer institutions was the ruling mo.iVs.of his life. This
vas proved BY an early and constant advocacy Of her
interests, q VigilAnt watch over any encroachment on
ber rights, AID the devotion Of bis life, fortune and Ia
bors 70 her defence. He had entered public life when
gery youl z, and the trust then rsposed had never been
siAiraun from him. He had filed many Of the most
nportan, Offices which his country could confer, and his
i1srsv was approved BY the respect Of all men aad all
parties. -, .,
ruvuRh he had for some years Withdrawn from political
lie. he had never ceased to give bis services Vhel they
might be useful. he had watched with deep solicitude
he progress Of sectional alienation, and at~the call OF
hs country had reentered her councils, to avert by any
honorable means the calamity Of Q degrading suomis-
ion. or 4 social var. HIVing ascsrtained and exposed
Osyond question, the trsaoAerous designs Of an Infamous
ios be threw the weight Of his character, talents and
snC-xy into tie scale Of his ~eoultry'S cause. 70 thh
cause he devoted Himself in the council, In the camps,
or wherever bis means or services could avail. Heed.
less Of great and growing inhrmAties, he maintained
dis pos. 10 Congress, and his ~unspsring devotion to his
duties, which undoubtedly FASTENED the fatal tsrminA.
uou Of bis disease.
The family ard friends to whom be vas bound BY
every tie and endeAred by every virtue will mourn a.
irreparabls the loss Of tloss noble aud Afsc!ionAte
Qualities, which will henceforth only eIis: in the reA-
tons they have created. The public familiar With his
brilliant and useful career will regret at such . time the
los Of an HI ,ient servant; but Virginia, 10 whom With
more than 4 lAl devotion he had dedicated every act and
aspiration of his life, will regard with grief the void in
her councils and ia her Sfeciiors, and will mott Ippreoi-
Ats his ulu, when she shall come to supply his loss.
The virtues and services Of Me-. Preston will be hon.
pred With eulogy in the halls that hsve echoed with his
eloquence. The narrative Of bis deeds will be recorded
in the annals Of history. These b-ef comments upon
as character are only offered to aid in impressipg upon
ais counrymen the value Of virtue aud Pa riotism.-
Nav they tend to sti rulAte each il his sphere to dedicate
his whole tTprts to the service Of his country and if
hs may rot equal the ability, may he at least emulate
tne example Of the statesman whose virtues ue V~enerato
aud whose loss We dellDre w. n. b.