The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-01-12
The Daily News,
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 1s, 1866.
The Governor OF Florida David :.
Walker.

Tfis distinguished gentleman, rho "lth 'iisu-
ar nraninity has been callct. to the chief maels-
+acv Of the State at this important period III her
poltical history, was born in Kentucky tue no,io
ef the immortal CLAY, whose political Prhic.p.e'
ho inherits. His father served In the war Oh inc
Revolution and of 1912; WAS member OF congress
from Kentucky, and died at Washington IN Maion'
1920 Governor WALKER eraigrated to Fiorioa M
1887. when ho Immediately engaged IN the pract'ce
of lsr. In 1916 he was elected to the first state
Senate. and vas made Chairman Of the Judiciary
Comm:..ee, but resigned his seat after the tirst
.esaion. In 1S4S he was elected member OF the
House, and again placed at the head OF the Ju-
dietary Committee. In 1850 he was elected he
eistsr of the Land Office, and reelected in 1854
Ia 1856 he was nominated by the Wings for Gov
srnor, and, though the Democrats had majority
OF 7Ooo votes in the State, he was enly defeated
By 800 votes.
This was the only defeat ha ever sustained. In
1855 he was again reelected Register, and without
opposition, while he was absent from the State
In 1859 he was elected Associate Justice Of the
Supreme Court for six years by the largest vote
ever given for any man for any office in the State,
~-
by his political opponents. And now nc Is called
.by the unanimous voice OF the people-after
revolution which has torn up the foundations OF
our social and political systems, and while the
wrecks Of former hopes lay oil around-to the
sfaee OF Governor OF the State. The honor came
znsought, and will be sustained with the same
answering integrity which has always marked
his official and private career.
In his inaugural address Governor WALKnn thus
fselingly alludes to his personal history:
ssTwenty-eight years ago, I was a. penniless
stranger from far distant State, seeking IN tins
bright land place where, by close attention to
business, might earn an honest living. founq
it hero The people took me by the hand, anu
over since, whether in prosperity or adVersily,
peace OF war have held me in the embrace OF their
confidence. As q lawyer, Representative, Senator,
Register of Public Lands, and Judge OF the Su-
prems Court, they have always stood by, encour-
raced. sustained and, with their appreciation,
moro precious than the gold OF Ophir, rewarded
me- Six years ago. when they placed me upon tae
Bench of the Supreme Court, Iiondly hoped my
political days were numbered, and that the residue
of nv life was to be spent in the calmer labors OF
judicial investigation. But now, the tornado OF
civil discord having swept over the land, prostra-
ting every interest, cn'ircly destroying our LABOR
systeul and uprooting the very foundations OF our
political edificc they have called me- with unanl-
nous voice, to preside as Grand Master at the re-
building OF the Temple. My obligations arc the
moro sensibly felt from the fact that this honor
has been conferred without one word o1 soliclla-
tion, vsSlout the writing OF single letter, or the
making of single speech-without pledge, a
platform or party"
Gov. WALKER is now about fifty years of age;
about six feet high, OF slight form, and not 1T
vigorous health; OF sngularly pleasing address
and modest and unassuming manncrs-the poor
eat may approach him with assurance, whilst tho
proudestwill acknowledge him their peer. Florida
is peculiarly fortunate in this time orsS distress.
in having one to ::prcsdc as Grand Mister at the
rebuilding" of her political temple, whose purit.
sfcharacter and long tried integrity give full as
sutanse that her interests will be safe, while his
ability and experience afford sufficient guarantee
against errors and cxec;tive entanglements.
[Eorida Times.