accomplished orator, and wise statesman. Many of his bursts of eloquence in the leg islature of South Carolina, and in the Ameri can Senate, and before popular assemblies, are equal to those of Burke and Chatham." Judge O'Neall speaks of him as president of the South Carolina College as fol lows: "He entered upon the duties of his office in January, 1846, with great éclat and universal confidence. The 'college sprang forward from its- lethargy; its walls were crowded with students. The president was known to be an extraordinary man. All who could receive the benefit of his instruc tion were eager to do so. Many a young man, as in the days of Dr. Maxcy, caught the enthusiasm of their gifted instructor. Elo quence was no longer regarded as not worthy of note or pursuit. The young learned to speak from the daily example of the first of orators. That he was able and capable to teach clearly and satisfactorily the subjects committed to his chair, is fully shown in Dr. Laborde's history of the college." Of his record as United States senator, O'Neall says: "In 1836 he was elected to the Senate of the United States, where he further distinguished himself as an orator and statesman." Dr. Laborde says : " Mr. Preston is justly entitled to a place in the first rank of speakers, rhetoricians, declaimers, or orators; — call it by what term we may — of his. times. I care not which may be selected. He was the contemporary of McDuffie, Hamilton, Haync, Legare, Harper, Turnbull, and others of that brilliant galaxy which, at the most eventful period of the history of our State, shed such a flood of glory upon her. Need I say that he was brought into immediate comparison with them; that they labored together on our most momentous occasions, and that the united voice of the hearers pronounced him the equal of any. . . . Sagacious in counsel, his opinions always received the highest con sideration from the great men with whom
he was associated, and none commanded a greater influence. As a popular speaker he was unequalled, unless it be by McDuffie." In another place, the same writer speaks of him as " one whose earthly career had been brilliant and illustrious. There were none of his great compeers who in burning elo quence, refined and cultivated taste, and chaste and elegant diction, could claim superiority." "The South Carolinian," edited by Frank lin Gilliard, in announcing his death, said: "As to his personal accomplishments, we can but briefly allude to the rare gift of eloquence which hereditarily belongs to his family. As the Cicero of the American Senate, Mr. Preston long adorned its halls of legislation, as well as those of justice in his adopted State. In her troublous times he was prominent in her councils and identified with her great struggle, when the persuasive eloquence of Hayne, and the Demosthenean ability of McDuffie, the earnest patriotism of Hamilton, and the solid force of Turnbull, were united with the genius and learn ing of Harper, in their efforts for her weal. His social qualities were of the highest order, and his conversational powers rarely if ever equalled. He has passed through life with eminent distinction, and his death has been that of a warrior who has fought the good fight, and gained the victory. He leaves the name of a patriot, a gentleman, and a Christian." The " Charleston Courier," in its editorial columns of May 24, 1860, says: "His heart, indeed, was as large, morally speaking, as his brain, and he loved his friends as few men ever loved. He deserved their love, which he in return received, and no man was more gifted in the arts and graces which adorn conversation, or was more ready to pour out his services for his friends in social entertainment. . . . As an orator, the gifts, re sources, and accomplishments of William C. Preston can never be fully appreciated or estimated but by those who heard him. No
