Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-19
THE LATE WILLIAM BALLARD PRESTON.
rnoc1EDnos IN THE oOsTEDrRArr SENATE.

Although we knew when we parted at the last session
that death might chance 10 any OF ms and al any ue
none of US supposed that In the brief period pc
fore We met again this body wouldlose one offs most val
ned members And yet now rise to announce officially
the death of my colleague and 70 ask you 10 adopt he
resolutions in honor of his memory which are usual on
such occasions may truly say that perform TINS sAo
du,y with unaffected sorrow for few men 10 50 short q
lime have grown as rapidly upon my esteem and regard
az he did during the brief period OF our Intimate assoe
on In the service Of his body. In this Senator's am
gre speak what was the common experiences OF you
ALL 80
William Ballard Preston was born, In Noyemberl sos,
in the county of Montgomery Virginia, and onthe place
rberr century ago. his grandfather fell ina contest
with the Indians TO defend the fort which be bad built
20 nrotect bis family and settlement His father, James
Preston was distinguished BY military services in Cana
da In the var of 1872 and was afterwards elected as
Governor ofVirginia-
were carefully improved by education Amer having
nassed through bis course the University Of Virgins,
he entered upon the profession of law in which he
aeouired distnction-a distinction which would have
been much greater IL his legal pursuits had not been
frequently interrupted by the calls Of his fellow ciize
upon him to serve them in represenihnve capacity
fe was scarcely twentysone was
eoced TO the House OF Delegates OF Virginia, and he
served with usefulness and distinction in one or the
other House of her General Assembly for many years
In ls4s he was elected the House Of Representatives
IN the Congress of the United States where he rap
dly winning position and influence, when he trans
erred to the Cabinet of Gen. Taylor, who called him to
| the Navy Department
| Upon the death Of General Taylor, which occurred
soon after be retired to private life and did not return
IN the pubic service again until he elected without
opno.iiun TO the Convention which assembled in Vir-
o;na 10 consider the question Of her secession from the
United States In that body he was one Of those who
at first endeavored preserve the Union 10y securing
some compromise adjustment which might render IL
comnatible with the rights and equality Of his State
Rat as soon AS he saw that this impossible he be-
came one Of the most ardent advocates oil her sePara
ton from the Union. am told that he drew the Ordi
nance of secession which finally adopted by her
Convention, and he certainly contributed largely TO that
result by his abilities, his energy, his influence and his
zeal From that time he threw his whole soul INTO the
reat cluse of dciveranCe and separation be gave to
il his thoughts his cares his labor, his treasure, and
believe should hardly go too far if were to say his
life ITSELF
lie was sent by the Virginia Convention as one of the
representatives of the State in the Provisional Congress-
and was afterwards elected by her General Assembly as
member of this body OF his services here, Senators,
need saw nothing to yOu for you oil have witnessed
those evidences of high and noble nature, which won
the universal respect and regard OF the members OF this
body and who of was not attracted 10 him by his
Ioy and bearing and his genial and generous
character All of you, too, can bear witness 10 the I'M
ceasing energy with which, notwithstanding his feeble
health he abored in the discharge of his duties as well
ne TO the shirt Of elevated patriotism which governed
his public course.
lie told me when we last parted that except when
tualy confined to bis house by sickness he had never
missed u session either OF committee or-lAs As"a'e
since his election to that bOdy'~
tbopab feared sometimes that he was tasking his
.,rraSSY 100 far vet upon the whole, thought saw
mptoms of reyving hSalth, and hoped when parted
that there might be many years Of future usefulness IN
store for him Ru alas neither the hopes fhis friends
nor the anxious soioude of his constituents the
naver of affection could the stern decree which
terminated forever his mortal career lie had scarcely
reached his home when he summoned 10 c0nsulta-
ton at the headquarters ofhe army OF Southwestern
Virginia, Which ended 10 his being sent on mission e
Richmond Notwithstanding the remonstrance oftriends
who toldlhm he trying his Strength too far he went
mon that mission executed It's duties and returned home
ia die He was imnie diaely seized with painful and
violent disease of the heart, which on the 10th Of Nov
last ended Ia death His spirit passed away In the midst
of the storm of revolution but it filed up to the
fine of his DEATH with anxious thoughts upon the stua
ton of his country and his last prayer, told was
for the delvercnce of his native State which he had low
ed and served so well Poor old Virginia he said 81
would could see her through her difficulties, would
obeerfuly Law down my life 70 do IT," And probably he
did lay down his life TO do It, for there is reason to be-
eye that his death mas resulted from the fact that his
weakly frame was overlnbored In her service But ne
understood and fairly appreciated our difficulties he never
doubted kEPy, our final success in the struggle.
r.. u
PsEsrox Virginia has Loaf Ct he. most useful and
devoted sons the Confederate States have lost the
sistspce of one who appreciated justly his obligations 10
the common Government, and who was earnestly bent
upon fully dischargins ell the duties he owed it, and
large Number of friends lost companion whose kindly
disposition and genial snd generous qualities made him
one of the most attractive members Of the social circle
10 which he belonged. OF the domestic bereavement
occasioned by that death do venture to speak, for
will not intrude upon the sacred privacy Of such
grief.
truly say that if he was often called TO GIL high trusts
he discharged their duties wotthy; and If he enjoyed
large and unusual share of public honors it was be-
cause he had Justly and deserved the public conf
dence that bestowed them What public man is there
who might not be content with suph record as thsY
OF his private character am qualified speak with
true and Just discrimination, was not long enough
in intimate association with him TO acquant myself fully
with its lights and shadows But IL may trust what
hear and / do trust what hear from honorable men
who knew him well, It may be said of him, with as
much truth as Of almost any other man, that be was
without fear aud without reproach.
But if one may stop for momsnt, even in the heat
of battle to drop tear dead comrade, do ask
too much of you Senator'S when beg you to pause for
day in honor of the memory of companion who has
fallen in midst at such time as thsy He has stood
with us in council 20 participate in cares ankle
ties and our deberaton upon the Of conducting
this mighty contest successful issue He has shared
and perhaps moro than shared in the labors and slcr
fees which required lie shrapk from difficulty he
qualed before no danger but manully faced the storm
of revolution when II ragged most 6crcely II frame
was indeed feeble but he worked with spirit strong
and as willing any in the great of Southern de-
verance and independence For he knew that upon its
mighty issues were staked the peace of his homestead
the safety and best interests Of his family the honor aud
independence Of his State, his liberties msn-in
short not only all that is dear in life but much that is
mora valuable than life itself be has been co-laboreT
too With US the greatest Of oil works that engage
human attention or employ the minds of men.
mean that of laying broad and deep the foundations Of
public liberty, and of private right and Of erecting
social fabric capsule OF casting its protecting shadow
over BOTH and of thus securing the happiness Of untold
generations Of men, who are now unborn through long
ages which are yet 10 come. Can the ties o. brother
hood thus formed be easily broken lightly thrown
aside ? The bonds thus made can they be destroyed
even in the rude strife which sometimes springs from