Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-24
frr LATE w11lIaN bALLARp PRESTON

Is, 1883, by Hon JOEY GooDE Jr, OF virginia
thrust. Mr. Speaker, it v not be considered iDspprc-
pirate IL attempt 10 ay single laurel leaf upon the
tonb Of the distinguished dead and unite my voice with
those vhS have upon ,hs melancholy occasion so eC
uueny given expression 20 the general sorrow Among
the people whom represent the deceased had host Of
warm friends aad ADMIRERS asd few hearts were unnov-
cd by the nournfalntesence that the words Earth TO
earth dust to dust and ashes TO ashes" had been pro-
nounced the grave Of William Ballard Preston
In the presence Of death silence il eloquent than
sords but would fail In the performance eta public
duty did not claim for ny constituents fu partcpa
ton In that profound public which this sad event
has inspired hsh, Mr. Speaker that could do jus
tice 70 the brilliant talents the private worth and the
eminent public services &c Mr. Preston but shall not
attsm IT, His name has now become historical and the
voice Of sulogy would fail TO add 70 the monument
which his deeds have erected. In all the relations
of life he acted well his part and Il may be truly said
that the elements we're SO mixed in him that nature
might stand up and say TO all the world this vds
man" His nature ardent generous, chvarous, in
trepd fearless and hopeful. As private citizen, his
reputation above reproach bis lofty integrity was
proyerbial his charities were dispensed with prncey
muni6cence, and his hospitality unbounded. De-
scended IRON race in whose veins flowed the best bood
Of our land few richly endowed with the
Heaven born gift Of eloquence. -.'
As an advocate his success before the juries Of the
sountry vas truly wonderful and popular orator be
ranked among the most eminent Of his day. He entered
public life when very young, aud the confidence then
repo.<d Was never withdrawn from him He sounded
nearly "al the depths and shoals Of honor" and filed
nearly all the public Offices 10 the gift Of his counymen.
As member Of the State Legislature, Representa-
tive in the Congress Of the old Union Cabinet Minis
ter a. member Of that august Convention Of Virginia
which adopted her ordinance Of secession, member
of the Congress Of the Provisional Goternnent and
finally Senator from Virginia in the first Congress Of
the Confederate States in all these high and honorable
positions he exhibited talents and patriotism which win
cause his name be remembered hereafter lone Of
the few the immortal that not born 10 die"
Il was my privilege, Mr. Speaker to be associated with
Me- PkEqoN In the Virginia Convention, aud watched
With the deepest interest his public during that
memorable period Of our history. He came into the
Conversion advocate of the restoration Of the
Union provided it could be done consistently with the
rights and interests and honor of the Southern States
He loved the Union of 1889 for the historic gores and
hsovsd associations which clustered around it. and his
ardent nature induced him still cling to the hope that
Yirrina might contribute TO its restoration in the spirit
Of its original formation aud upon the principles OF the
Constitution. To this end he laborcd with zeal psr
osm and ability which commanded the respect OF a
until the inaugural message Of Mr. Lincoln and other In
dcs.ons plainly foreshAdowed the policy of coercion
The bare mention OF attempt 10 coece free and SOW
ereiRn States into submission TO q Government which
thew had determined throw Of seemed TO srJuss all
the manhood of bis nature and il was upon his motion
that committee of three, consisting OF himself, Mr.
Stuart and Gen. Randolph, sent 10 Washington 10
demand in the name of Virginia, 10 know OF Mr.. Lin
coin ShsfHas his put pose towards the seeded States
Mr. Lincoln and his prime Minister with that ndirecton
and cunning which have characterized them since tue
OF these troubles endeaVored TO conceal
their real purpose but Mr. PRESTON not deceived
His acute intellect penetrated at once their sophsries
aud yscss and his ardent patriotism discovered and
exposed their infamous designs upon the liberties OF bis
couotrymen. Ne returned from Washington, fully con-
yncSd that Virginia could not consistently with her own
dignity and honor hesitate longer to take her position
l. a.. 81 has Southern aiatpr1 He offered the
the ordinance which severed her connection
With the Federal Government and resumed all her dele
gated powers That ordinance rallied by her peo-
Die UiIh unparalleled unsnimity, and this ancient Com
monweath like Minerva sprnging from the brain OF
Joys) leaped fuarmed into the arena, and aid 10 the
,u.licsl FURY of the NORTH thus far shalt come
aud no farther and here shall thy proud waves be stay
ed FROM that day TO the present upon her fields the
oonending hosts have encountered each other in the
shock OF battle and upon her consecrated soil the
blood of the brave OF tie Sc eth has been poured
out as free lbsLion Liberty. History will con.
meet the name Of WILLIIH BALLARD PRESTON with
ysnoias OrdlAuGs OF Secession and the immortal re-
novu Which she has achieved In her second war for indie
pendeuce. Never shall I forget Mr. Speaker, while
mcmOry performs its Office, the stirring scenes which
we're enacted in the Convention during that memorable
period while some hestated aud counseed farther de-
Law aud depicted ia glowing teras the fate OF Virginia
A border State with her fields laid waste, her people
robbed and impoverished and her women aud children
ueeng At ndugh FROM their homes 20 escape the cruelty
OF brutal and tyrsnnical foe the voice OF Mr. PRESTON
ike the clarion voice Of Henry in the Revolution OF
lT7s Vas heard clear aud trmpettOngued pleading for
the outraged honor aud violated rights OF his native
land aud mplorng his counrymen TO take courage and
strike for Their homes their resdes and all that ireemen
hold dear upon earth. As IL inspired With the spirit OF
n,ohecy he foretod what has already to pass and
promised in the name Of tina, hardy yeonsny who have
avays bssu proud OF him their representative, that
thew would rally as one 70 the defence OF their
brethren uuon the border Aud right nobly has that
peomise been redeemed. When the tocsln Of war was
dr,t sounded the m.n of Montgomery came forth like
the Warriors Of Clan Alpine to the sound OF their Chief
tain. thistle and rAie have exhibited greater con-
tempt of death or borne themselves more proudly IN
the face Of the foe One Of the brothers OF Mr. PRES
TOE brave modest and retiring, as soon rs he heard
Of the passage OF the Ordinance of Secession, lett
the quiet and secusion Of his beautiful mountain nome
came promptly 20 Richmond and rendered his services
10 the Executive Of the state After sgnaizng his de-
Voton 20 the cause upon many Nell-iought heid ne,
TOO has laid down his life Tor his country and gone 10 that
'ourne Whence NO traveller returns But Mr. Speaker,
must forbear 20 occupy longer the attention oil the
House Il would be apostolic in the just limits allowed
uDon occasions like the present 70 do in justice 70 the
character OF the deceased The SAte OF Virginia. Tor
which he cherished truly hal devotion, will cause his
name to be Inscribed high upon her role of lustrous
worthless end will long mourn his loss with all tue ten
de,ness of Q mothers love From the commencement
of this cruel var 20 the day OF his DEATH he dedicated
~ her The highest sesta OF his genius and the best AZ
lection. of bis heart. With unwavering faith in an
overrung Providence aud in the justice OF our cause
h, intrepid temper and hopeful spirit inspired courage
in all around him. and he considered it little les than
treason TO entertain doubt OF our hnal triumph II
his voice to-day could reach bis counrymen from the
silence of the grave kaos that it would counsel then
10 prsevsrs With redoubed energy aud unfalterng pur
pose Would 10 Cod thx. be could have lived TO witt
ness the final termination of struggle In which all The
energies Of his nature were enlisted but an inscrataoe
wisdom has otherwise desrssd.. No more shall that
manly form hs sven moving 10 these asles. No more
shall that eloquent voice be heard resoundog In these
balls. That form |, nov cold aad iDapimate. Tha: voice
Z huahed in death forever.
''The algh:y Good TINT roles
It's torrsats 70 the main.
Can nee, recall It's vsters lest
FROM that abys, again.
So DAYS aud years and time ~
n.scendinr down tonight