The Secretary works too much — or rather does not economize
his labor. He procrastinates final action; and hence his work, never being
disposed of, is always increasing in volume. Why does he procrastinate?
Can it be that his hesitation is caused by the advice of the President, in his
great solicitude to make the best appointments? We have talent enough in the
South to officer millions of men. Mr. Walker is a man of capacity, and has a most
extraordinary recollection of details. But I fear his nerves are too finely
strung for the official treadmill. I heard him say yesterday, with a sigh, that
no gentleman can be fit for office. Well, Mr. Walker is a gentleman
by education and instincts; and is fastidiously tenacious of what is due a gentleman.
Will his official life be a long one? I know one thing — there are several
aspiring dignitaries waiting impatiently for his shoes. But those who expect to
reach the Presidency by a successful administration of any of the departments,
or by the bestowal of patronage, are laboring under an egregious error. None
but generals will get the Imperial purple for the next twenty years — if indeed
the prematurely made “permanent”
government should be permanent.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 63-4
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