Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-15
From the Montgomery Gala Advertiser
Letfer from II fchm ond.

From the Montgomery Gala Advertiser.
Letter from Richmond.
p-.;,.,. of The Deputnzeufs- The Labors and
Socrifoss of tie SecTeory-0 Rdr-Coaten-
49, Rssiananon of Secr6ary Walker.
RICHMOND, Sept. 8, 1861.
This metropolis is at present the scene OF
unu.ual interest and spirited preparation
The public Departments are alive with the
operations incident to The installation ana
nrooress of their respective machinery, and /
mon all hands We behold the busy demon |
siraIions of hose whom the confidence OF the
country have called to the custody OF its OF |
fetal trusts.
In none of these Departments are the symp- |
toms of Jealous and labOrious efforts more
signalIy displayed than IN the War Depart
ment. and in none other do We fad 20 many
great questions to be disposed of, amid so
many p+rpIexities and annoyances- Proba-
bly no Minister of War has ever yet evinced
a more lofty disregard OF his personal COM
fort. or offered more eesf sacrificing devo-
ton to the unfolding necessities OF young
government, than has Gen Walker. Feeling
keenly the weight Of public responsibility
that has rested upon him, knowing that the
final success of our struggles for separate IN
dependence depends to very considerable
extent upon the mauner i'm which he address
ed himself TO the discharge of his ministerial
duties. he has disregarded everything but the
country for which be has labored, and mas
| brought all the great and fertile resources OF
| bis mind, for which he has been so long aud
so justly distinguished. to It's service. an
/ thai iearniug. all that as>iduity, aud all that
| faithful application could do to organize.
perfect, and sustain tie military arm OF the
4 public service ht.s been embraced within his
comprehensive policy Looking to the Illus
triouS career of Mr.. Calhoun, who so strong
| ly impressed himself upon the army system of
the old Government. Gen. Walker has, out OF
the inadt quste aud shspeless beliigerent ma
| teriais which he found crudely distributed
over a vast area of territory upon the forms-
ton of the Couiederacy, and in less than nine
| short months improvi<ed and brought into
| the field an army of over 200 600 men, with
| all the. appointments of subsistence, NUM-
lions, ordnance and small arms, that were
essential to the equipment of the hghtine
| manhood OF the new Government. That this
has been q herculean task none can deny
that it has been performed by a consecration
of energy, and an exhibition of the highest
character of administrative ability, must be
the verdict of impartial history. And wha
> | other verdict could be obtained by lair IN
} Guest upon the merits of a minister who ha
rhown himself to be "the right man in thu
: right place y
That some faults have crept into the ope
1
nv but they have been the faults beyond tn
| immediate control of the chief officer, ia no
, | the less true. The splendid success OF on
:. arms at Fort Sumter, at Bethel Church, Ma
nassa, Oak Hill, Gross Plains, &c, are stub
e born and convincing proofs OF the unusua
e vigor with which Gen. Walker has manage
= the general operations OF the War ONCE
That the growth OF Government Iounde
q upon popular ideas can reach its pei manen
L md osf ahlishmant without NEE
q ing occasionally Interruptions, and even 81
rious reyerses, is not to be expected. Ths
" il mnst yindicate it's title to the public r.
y spect through the final analysis OF blood an
d sacrifice, is the lesson of all history, In IN
"a view, Gen. Walker has never allowed MIN
self TO doubt the ultimate triumph OF MS Ii
&c bors, or the complete and final success OF OF
cause. Sustained and encouraged III MS e
forts by brave people everywhere failyln
to his support, and no where has he bee
more especially indicated, than among Il
ie peopie of bis own Stale through every ior
j, of priyate and public expression, he has dol
in | all that mortal man could do to bring a0o'
the present healthful state of army disclplln
g yaior, and efficiency. Whatever OF -hon'
n belongs to the Government for the succe
IT'D that has thus far attended its nauguratlo
;. and progress. belongs as much to him prob
blv. "a any other man in the Confederac
NO and whatever odium it may also have inct
tie red among certain Individuals, be has no q
IN sire to escape.
A period of over nine long months U
broken continuance in Office, has left G'
uu Walker much les man physically IMAM
was at the comm ancement OF his term oil
fee. In fact bis health, not always roou
ltb Is now delicate, so much so that 1t has
come the subject OF serious alarm among
ere friends. Nothing but relaxation from
the excessive labors affords any promise OF
w recovery, and every day accumuiates Judi
on .ions OF his utter physical infrmity aud pr
tration. Fer these reasons and these only
vas understood by Gen WdLher's friends thai ne
ha- templates re,ring from his present position at
4 a N, first of Nopen,ber he1t. However mi
himself and friends may regret the necess
III" that impels him to this course these con'
era,ions are suffic ient and ought not to
ignored.
The record. however, that Gen. Walker
made as the first Secretary OF War OF the =
iederate States of America, will be Jeaiou
THE guarded, not only by his friends at home.
LA. 10y the great people of these struggi
a.. states, and will serve 10 challenge tue
VI. .s spect of the sterueet criticism whilst 1t
~, command Ihs appreciation OF grateful &C
uy. To such y man, The future canno
,i,b pas.ively closed, nor the sense OF puolic
lice be allowed 10 slumber over au spl
a. pirate recognition of his merits