Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 12.pdf/58

 IVilliant Campbell Preston. analysis or description can do justice to them. A face of large and expressive features, a commanding figure, and great versatility and flexibility of facial, manual and bodily ges ture and expression — these were elements of his native endowments. To these add the largest and most varied culture, and the most devoted and industrious application, and improvement of natural powers : a dili gent study of the best models and indefa tigable preparation — we may have some explanation of his success. . . . The mortal remains of the last and greatest of the orators of Carolina's glorious constellation of the great debates of 1828-32, will be committed to the tomb this day, at Columbia." I can only quote a few of the many beau tiful things said of him at the bar meeting in Charleston. Hon. James L. Petigru said: "While the court was in session the news reached us that William Campbell Preston, formerly eminent among the law yers of South Carolina, which was one of the least of his titles to distinction — the accomplished statesman and unrivalled ora tor had paid the debt of nature. The charms of his conversation and the splendor of his eloquence will hereafter live in memory only. Though he had long withdrawn from the public eye, and the activity of his genius had bowed to the painful inroads of physical suffering, he was followed to the last by the admiration of the public, who gazed upon him as a venerable ruin, and cherished with all the warmth of affection by a widely extended circle of devoted friends. The memory of such a man should not be suffered to pass away without a fitting memorial. Nor to the bar, above all others, should the example of his life be lost; for he elevated the profession by the noble sen timents which he carried into his practice. His genius reflected honor on the land of his birth; and this State, which was the home of his choice, has reason to be proud "f that distinction. His name will be in scribed on the archives of our country as a

39

senator who adorned the halls of Congress by his wisdom and eloquence. As a scholar, who presided with grace and dignity in the halls of learning, the students of the South Carolina College will be proud of his name, as an ornament of that institution, and the bar of South Carolina will continue for many a day to excite the emulation of the young by the example of his fame." Henry A. DeSaussure, Esq., said : " In all the positions of life — as a jurist, as a gentleman in the private relations of life, as a politician, as a Christian — I can bear un equivocal testimony to his preeminence in every department." Chancellor B. F. Dunkln said : " He was by far the most gifted natural orator to whose eloquence I have ever listened, and it was my good fortune to hear Legare in his speech on the resolutions of 1828, and Mr. Calhoun in the debate in the Senate on the Oregon Bill, and Mr. Preston stood head and shoulders taller than the giants who surrounded him. Other men may have attained greater distinction in particular de partments, but it was his great happiness to combine in his character at one time all the qualities which give eminence to man. In his youth, I remember, he was the cherished companion of his associates, — Govan, Legare, O'Neall, and others; and when afterwards he took part in affairs of life, who wiser in council, who so able in debate in vindicating the rights of this coun try? And when no longer in the councils of the nation, he returned to no inglorious ease, but to teach the youth of the State to imitate his own high example." Mr. C. E. B. Flagg paid to him the fol lowing tribute: "Great and widely spread as was the fame of the able jurist, brilliant advocate, honored senator, orator without a rival, and venerated citizen, there was a more enviable, a higher, position in reserve for him, — one more dear to the heart of that illustrious man than all the fame which he had justly won : it was the crowning