Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-06
EuLoc1gs on TIE LATE WILLIAM BALLARD
PRESTON.
DELIVERED IN THE House OF REPRESENTATIVES,, JAN 10,

ong,ess with the distinguished gentleman whose loss
We deplore Mr.. Preston was member OF the Military
Committee of that body. can truly say that ne WAS
one Of its most useful earnest and indefatigabe men,
bers Lsborious, saeacious, conscientious and pa
entconstant in attendance and devoted TO bis duties,
no commanded the fullest respect and confidence OF all
his colleagues To every subject committed TO as ne
brought 10 bear his clear and luminous intellect and full
knowledge of men and things. He bad large expert
ence of men and was thoroughly versed in Affairs
careful and exact he scrutnized and proved all things,
and adhered TO those which true. Fertile in sug-
oeson he had no pride of opinion. Earnest in prev
Ing his own views, he weighed impartialy those OF
Others or strong convictions himself, he respect
ed the convictions of others. Powerful and ardent in
debate ne never transcribed the limits OF the
most exact courtesy and parliamentary propue-
ty This STA nped him thoroughbred gentleman.
s love Tor the great cause overruled every other con-
sderation Hence he anxious to harmonic differ
nces aud give measures the ll weight Of unitedcoun
sells Engaged as our Committee was, in giving shape
and form TO a new and constantly enlar.ing military
organization the qualities which Mr. Preston brought 10
bear upon our work, were OF eminent value.
had the pleasure Of being associated with him also
ON the Commission appointed by the Provisional Con-
rrcss 10 visit the camps and hospitals in the Summer
and Autumn OF 1861 shall never forget the untirng
lenl which he exhibited during the whole period nor
the cheerful endurance with which he submitted TO pr-
yaons and hardships, which, TO man at his time OF
life were onerOus. Indeed have always thought that
IL in the frequent visits to crowded hospitas-tended,
in no small degree TO enfeebe his health and impair his
constitution IL was in these visits that had oppor
tunty of becoming acquainted with some OF MS no0lest
trlits of character Nothing could exceed his kind So
ictude for the comfort of the sick soldiers and his SYM
nathy with their suerings. Day after day have
him seated by their bed Sides cheering and anmang
them by kind and hopeful words. Often have seen the
dim eve brighten aud the ieyerparched lips smile I'M
der the influence of his cheerful utterances. To the
l. ,f ham ft,aga how anfly
not numbering fifteen summers who often at that
time crowded our hOspalsali his kindly nature went
forth His heart seemed TO yearn towards them with
almost parental tenderness. And As he would talk with
them of home aud sOOh and cheer their dropping spr
its and gently stroke the pal beard!ess cheek have
seen the well of feeling gush forth the "touch of
kindness which seemed "tO make kin" And when
the Surgeon has been persuaded to grant furough TO
visit mother and home, the tears of gratitude have
started from the trembling eyed and coursed down the
wan and sunken lace.
No man had a warmer heart-a more sympathetic
nature-a more liberal charity than departed friend
But it was in private and social intercourse that his
high qualities a man, were best exhibited. Courte
Gus in bearing-frank and genial-he was ever a wei
come compan onadaptug himself to the hour and the
mood lie was an admirable narrator, aud his memory
was full of interesting "reminiscences which he repro
duced wit graphic effect To those who have had the
pleasure of being his guests At his beautiful country
seat-who have enjoyed the privilege OF seeing him
surrOun led with all the sacred and endearng charities
of domestic ie-who have under his roof experienced
that ineifable charm which pervades the home Of H.
Southern gentleman, need say nothing to his do
nestle virtues Few men possessed them in higher
degree devoted husband fond flther-a kind
aud Just master-the aching void which his death has
occasoned in that happy home, cannot be meas
ured by our own OSS-betOre the anguish there our
own grief would be dumb. From that loved mountain.
home-from the Legislative halls Of the country-from
all the haunts of men, he has gone forever The places
that so well knew him shall know HIN no more. We
will never receive the grasp OF that cordial hand,
or see that face beamiug with high intelligence and
greeting Ne with friendly kindness. He has gone to
his long home Under that divine roof ellowguests,
we can alone hope to meet him again.
But though he no longer moves among living men,
the memory OF Him will not pass away. True, in
the hurry and excitement of times like these, when tre
mendous events follow each other with startling rapdity
and years seem crowded into NORTHEASTERN the
battlefield carries of almost daily our bravest and
bes'wc can pause but for moment by the grave Of
our rieud-drop but single tear. Weave but simple
chaplet-'ere are hurried away to the performance
Of stern and pressing duties which must absorb our
the utterJnce Of our gref-lnd shut
for time the fooiga'es Of memory. But so long as
the people Of the SOuh shall love and venerate virtue,
manly worth aud purity OF characer-So
long as the "Old Dominion shall continue to produce
elevated a,esmen and hightOned genllemen-so long
will VIM Ballard Preston live in their h arts and memo
meme IN great
of Constitutional Liberty which nov rearing
Mr. PERKINS said it is good custom, Mr.. Speaker
that leads the members Of this body pause in the rounds
of their customary duty and dwell for day upon the
virtues OF deceased member In the midst of great
revolution events pass rapidly on that unable
TO realize their progress responsibility in con-
nectou with them and il is only on an occasion like the
present. when endeavor oreca the time of our first
meeting and the circumstances of our association with
one who has been cllel from by DEATH that we are
made aware that the feelings which seem to us the
growth Of years. but the experience Of few months
intercourse.
Ii is thus sir that have been made to feel today in
listening to the details OF the life of William Ballard
Preston. II seemed to that had known him long |
and yet not two years have passed since met for the
first time in the Halls of the Provisional Congress assem-
bed in this city In adding, therefore, my tribute TO
his memory, can only speak OF him came to know
and respect him in the councils of that body. To say
that he Of lofty bearing, Of coqueuce
and Of uniform courtesy in debate is TO say what al
ready known to the whole country. But there
earnetue aud sincerity Of purpose, tempered with
delcacy and genncnesS OF manner that threw charm
around his intercourse With others. At all times aud
under al circumstances in the excitement of debate
or in the que; OF council, he was so truly the |
gentleman, bold aud honest in all his utternces
TIA: although YOU might agree with him in the par
,icu'ar proposition he advocated you never for
mont dodbod the strength sincerity of his
victions.
As the discussions ont Of our Provisional Congress
were chiefly in secret session. aud there exists pub
shed record of them, may be permitted TO say that
although Mr. Preston not original Sscess onist
aud acquiesccd with reluctance than Others
in the dissolution Of the old Union few in that body,
took more decided ground, or were resOute in |
their opposition every thing like reconstruction. So
much had he at heart the success of cause that
though in feeble health he remarkable for his watch
ul attention to every measure before Congress. Rare
y indeed, in the period Of heaviest labors when
our daily sessions most proracicd did Que ofthem
begin or end without his being present.
Mr. Speaker this is the second time in the progress
Of this revolution that we have been called upon to |
with Virginia in the loss of distinguished
statesman. Just one year ago, John Tyler was taken
suddenly from the field of his labors while an honored
md influential member of the Provisional Congress,
md now VIM. B. Preston is gone from his seat in the
senate Of the Permanent Congress- At any time the
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