Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-04-18

do all their lighting IN Southern waters,
while vessels not yet three months in COM
mission are rolling in clover off New York
Battery. Everybody in our ship is dis
heartened, and no wonder. You do not
know one tenth part of what we have suf-
fered lately. They say the darkest hour of
the night is just before the break of day
it is pitch lark with us just about this
time.
Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary Of War
Of the Southern Confederacy.
Prominent among the personages of in-
terest to military men of the times, is the
Secretary of War of the Confederate States.
That gentleman will perform a conspicuous
part in the events Of the immediate future.
He will be q character of marked promi-
uence, whether those events take peace
full or beligerent course. Indeed, he was
no obscure individual when called to the
important post he now holds. His fame. it
is true, was not, in the ordinary sense Of the
term, national, for he had not sought to
make it so. The theatre of his ambition
was his native State, and his great talent
and all his energies which could be spared
from large legal practice, have been direc-
ted to the defence of her honor and inter-
ests.
Leroy Pope Walker is a native of Ala
bama. He is now iu the prime and vigor
of life, being little over forty years of
age. His ancestors, both paternal and ma
ternal, are distinguished in history and by
tradition for their talents, patriotism and
popularity. He takes his christian name
from his maternal grandfather, Leroy Pope,
an eminent citizen of Petersburg, Va, who
afterwards moved to the territory of Ala.
bama, and was one of the founders OF
Huntsville, now hourishiug and wealthy
city. His father, John w. Walker, held
many posts of honor and responsibility,
amongst which was that of United States
Senator from 1919 to 1928.
Mr.. Walkers educational advantages
were ample and we'll improved. He stud,
led thorough collegiate course, and was
graduated with distinction. He then stud.
led law. entered upon the practice, and soon
attained to eminence in the profession. For
the last fifteen years he has stood confessed.
ly at the head of the bar in Alabama. His
practice has been extensive and lucrative.
He has accumulated handsome fortune
His present residence is at Huntsville. He
formerly resided at Florence. He has ser.
we'd several terms in the Legislature, and
was one time Speaker of the House. It is
proper to mention, in this connection, that
Mr.. Walker did not seek legislative hon
ors from the prompting Of political aubi
ton. He was sent to the Legislature a,
periods When his great talents were needed
to forward important measures of public
interest. In 1913, Mr. Walker served as
Presidential elector on the Cass and Butler
ticket. In 1851, he was elected Circuit
Judge for the Florence District. This Of
fee he held for near two years, when he re-
signed.
No ordinary man can attain eminence at
the bar, upon the bench, and 10 the halls
of legislation. All this, however, has been
achieved by Judge Walker. As parlia.
lneutary debater, he has few equals any
where. As an expounder of the law upon
the bench, he was distinguished for pro.
found legal learning and sound judgment.
As an advocate at the bar, he is man Of
tremendous power. He combines, perhaps,
as many of the qualities of first class or.
ator as any man in the country. He speaks
with Auency, and, at the same time, with
deliberation. He has full command of
language, though never employs any SUPER
fluffy Of words. His oratory is distinguish
ed for vigor of thought, purity of diction,
and elegance of style. He is an accom-
plished, classical and Bellies Lettres scholar,
though in speaking and writing be is free
from all semblance of pedantry and affecta-
ton. AS declaimer, he is earnest, ener,
getic, eloquent and powerful. In this line
of oratory he is perfectly resissless before a
jury, or upon the stump, harrangueing the
populace.
FROM what has been said, it will readily
be inferred that Judge Walker has had no
special training in military affairs 1t
should, nevertheless, be mentioned that he
has held the office of General of militia
Throughout the State of Alabama his name
is as familiar as a household word, either
as "Judge Walker" or General Walker" !"
For General Walker, solid and brilliant
reputation as Secretary of War of the Con-
federate States may be confidently predict
ed. Gifted with superior intellect, he
will readily comprehend all the general prin-
ciples involved in the administration of his
department, while his practical business ca
pacity will enable him to successfully apply
those principles in their details.
In stature, General Walker is tall, and
proportioually built. His features are reg
ular, handsome, and at the same time strong
Iy marked, indicating great frmness and
energy. Altogether, he is remarkable
man, capable of adorning any position, and
particularly that which he now occupies
The pending controversy may involve him
in official conflicts with high functionaries
Ha who ancnunters him thns will find him
giant.-lNi2itary Journal.
A CHEAP WAY TO GET APPRENTICES
The famine in India is desolating the North
western provinces for a thousand miles in
extent. Bombay papers to the 18th of Feb
ruary contain the following:
"Horrible accounts reach US from the
Northwest provinces of human beings dying
at the rate of 400 or 500 day while the
desolation is not even limited to the vast
oznoneo of ,ou nj r1 from, I'm oL no,u RI a horo