Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-19


ped with perfect fidelity the doctrine OF state Right.
as being the only mode OF preserving the liberty Of the
people as coutrn-dstng from that tendency OF re-
publican institutions to consolidation or Capitalization Of
all power into the hands OF the General Government to
the prejudice of the States which he regarded as tile
vital mart OF the great heart aud likelihood OF freedom
His devotion to State Rights no idle sentiment
with him. but a principle TO which he devoted his whole
life and to which all lis actions tended and settled a.
the magnetic needle to the pole While he did embrace
the whole circumference OF the Coniedccy, aud every
nortion of in his widespread and expansive patriot.
ism the first offerings Of his heart were laid on Virginia
as the best effects of his life, and his last prayers were
dedicated TO her honor aud her glory now and forever
Il was charming to witness the devotion Of that noble
man to his State always on the alcft AMI always watch
frl of her interest Ii she required An euogist Ballard
Preston was ready in thoughts that buried and in words
that melted to pronounce IT, If her honor was ssailcd,
woe TO the assaant; for his winged words Of defence
came with the ghtuugs flash lad The lishtnings ven
| geance. ,
and true to the States represent than Ballard Preston
was 10 his He was a true man Ia the best Of that
| word and worthy Of the confidence OF Nsnia and 0f
the place lac held and which nov vacant BY his death
That pubic servant who initiates lis example aqd emu
| lates lis virtues, will act vel. his part.
| Statesman yet friend 90 '.u--of soul sincere,
| In action fuiihfu and In honor ciear;
| Who broke no promise served no private end,
| Who gained no title and "io lost o." ienli
S Sc1sef loved W. f and nS g. s 1id he ioyed
Springng from one Of ha best stocks Of Virginia, he
added 90 an honored iiusRFous yctues and LEFT
a bright example The OF Preston i OF the
brightestiewcls of this renowned Commonwealth, and
will be treasured aud remembered 70 the aher times
for Virginia has no prouder name even IN her tprold
cline,
Mr.. CLAY said: Mr. Prcsidcnt-Myp personal acquaiut.
ance with WILLIAM BALLARD PaEsIoN W., neither iati
mate nor of long duration. had ascy him before
we met in this hall And vet think knew him well
and formed Just cstinaie Of his character Our asso-
lcatsons as members of this body frtqaet and
familiar and our relations close and confidential that
a few months here probably more fully develops our
characters % each other than would many years OF in
tercourse in the ordinary avsraons 81 piva life We
are constantly standing upon trial before our peers az
the country daily, though uncossc,ons,v testify
for or against ourselves men, statesmen and patriots
and all our words aud actions necessarily observed
and weighed.
Besides, Mr. P 5 was q character easily found ont and
understood His courty bearing aitiblity kndliuesa
and cordially made him both attractive and accessible
He had the simplicity, the ugenuou,ne-s the trectness
and sincerity which Distinguish noble soUs. He dis
d,ncd all the petty arts Of s;Igladaul d simuiaiion
| by which inferior seek 10 attain their otje,is.
He spoke what h. truly thought aud f,t without
gule aiectatiol o. E, crvc. Tie w~. he seemed to
be- lie reposed wita coHIdtuce in his corsc OF ines
rty undstuibed by aFprehcpsions OF censure .: Of
criticism he pursued oly uobe ends ty only noble
means Coopng or turning aside 10 invoke praise
or 10 avoid blame lie never shlrset responsibility or
claimed credit for rs discharge IL, sought the appro-
val Of hsown conscience rather than the cpphuSe oAGe
world He was self reliant sef sustaining, Independent,
and true 10 himself end therefore, fake TO any
man or to any trust he was by raCrc, by education,
and BY habit gentleman honest honorable, brave,
| generous aud msgnai imou~. s....
His patriotism unscit and ardent lie gave both
bis hands and all his heart to liz coualry, aud defended
her honor and her interest With tie devotion OF ial af
feclion.
As a Senator he mairtaincl the d'gpy Of his high
Office and discharged It's grave duD, with distinguished
ability and scrUpu.Ous hd.jty Ngaut at,cutiye, care
full aud deliberate, he ever re- ~ and prompt IA srs-
| tanning or opposing measures, in accordance wh his
Judgment of her pQlicy and coastitudouahty. jeal-
Gus champion Of popular and states rights he did not
fail TO demand Of the people and N, States what was
due to themselves and 10 ac Confederate Government,
aud to exert its constitutional powers ior the common
good of ALL regardless of the cmors OF factions or OF
| seotIous lie was an uncalculaiing guardian oil the
powers both Of the States and otthe Confederate Gov
ernment and rcpslcd any seeming eucroachnelt upon
either with equal ardor and energy. lie spoke 10 the
Senate and for his country and not TO his constituents
| or for himself
Nature was liberal in his mental cndowmenls and he
had cultivated them aSsiIuousy aud successfully. His
facility and felicity Of expression lis cultivated taste,
his classic atiainmens his rich aud copioUs maginl
ton, his delicate sensbiues his strong passions aud
firm convictions lis iervid eOquencc, were displayed in
all his speeches But FOR hi' physical nhrniy Of deaf
ness he would have taken rCEs among the frat orators
of our country Take him all ia AL II MAY he said Of
him that he gcailcman without stain or repro ich,
statesman Of comprehensive views and noble aspTl-
tons and public servant WorhS o! las gieA state and
| OF her implicit confidence.
NJ SEuNFs of la Mr.. President Thr vacant seat
so recently occupied BY the lamenteI Peeeton reminds
"a that the shafts Of death are confined 10 the BAT
tie field thai the Confederate States have lost con-
| script father and the Commonwealth Of Virginia has
1 lost one of is distinguished Senators. Roman iamIeS
carried In then funeral professions bus oI hclr eni-
nen members remind tleTeope Of services endeied
| the State. IL such a custom pevaieJ among us TIE
bust Of Wm Ballard Preston might well alorn the OBJ
seques Of his delcsndanis My acqiGmlance with The
deceased was not long it commeucedYiti the brst OF
the Confederate senate. Sh0Tl as II yl} aniar views
as to the uature aud powers Of The Cotder'ie Coy
\ ernment and concurrent opinions OF rd9py inporiaw
questions discuss in the ScJaie, pf2daeel an intimacy
which might almost dcnouiinata HaFhp-ioT Who
could associate with one 90 biHd 50 pnGeat 50 repote
with information so cautions ad t1eant OF the views
Of others and viii al 90 thoroughly imbued with pa
friOto ardor and loy senimcat without warning TO-
wards him
1t is difficult to realize the mechanically truth that his
voice so often heard in this chamber on behalf OF his
beloved Commonwealth of Virginia y mlshed in the
tomb that the energetic aud imI Oned e0quence OF
Ills tongue Il but reniniscopce that his acute mind,
with its logical discrimination 10, erl!e Imagination and
iis abundant learning longer nhsbtns bis venerable
and graceful f0rf1 mas TeluThcu ~ VIC au'V' VI ~
ing We have lost Senator indeet the country has
lost patriot society has lost gentleman IL may be
said OF him, as was said Of the gallant Percy,
sghe earth that dad bears not alive 50 fine sn"'e-
man." HI..r
! Mr. WtsrALf--Mr. President, my acquaintance with
Mr. Passion was brief but intimate, aud think Il not
improper upon an occasion like this to gye my cOnccp
ton OF his character to the Senate 10 prt.sniod
~ very slpse Intimacy 10 me. Il ~ ~. ~.
Mr. Preston was Supposed 10 haIt she1 ~ p1e iipa
vafy much devoted to- The Hnion % tho.hSl to base