Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-10
MEssRs. BOTTs s. UPsHUR.

MESsRS. Bolts s. UPSHUR.
WASHINGTON, January elst. 1912. "a
DGAn SiR: I
request that you will publish the inclosed cor.
with no other obiec, whatever than
TO relieve myself from the responsibility of de-
MAJ wh'ch assumed to make, on the floor of tho
House OF Representatives., in behalf of the Secre.
tary OF the Navy, who, it will be seen, now makes
Very Respectfully,
HENRY A. WISE.
-1bMe Editor Of The Madisonian.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,,
january 2Sth, 1912.
DEAR Sir -
In the debate, yesterday, in the House of Rep |
resentatives, on the motion Of Mr. Marshall to
censure MIR. Adams for contempt to the House. i'm
presenting petition to dissolve the Union of
these States, the following remarks were made
by my colleague, Mr. Bolts, and by myself:
Mr BUTTS. Talk about CEN
surfing the gentleman from Massachusettst Look
aSthe other end OF this avenue Yhere they
found man standing at the head of the riuht
arm OF the defence of this naton--he meant The
Secretary of the Navy-who, the last time he had
had conversation with him tho subject, was
an open, avowed, undisguised advocate of the
immediate dissolution of the Union.
Mr.. WISE. deny it.
Mr.. BOTrS. What authority have YOU Do
you Keep record of the conversations of the
Secretary of the Navyl
Cries of "Order," .'order'1
Mr.. Wise said he hoped his colleague would
not fly into flame. He did not mean to offend
him. but say this that he did not believe any man
as authority, from conversation, from reading, or
any other source, for saying that the present Sc
cretary ofthe Navy ever went for the unqualified
dissolution of the Union. lfhc ever advanced
this idea OF dissolution he (Mr. w undertook to
say now IN his place, and would risk it on his
authority, that, if he ever avowed such a doctrine
1t was on qualifications, conditions and reasons
which the Secretary could defend.
Mr.. Bolts said he had been induced, for some
time, TO regard his colleague the keeper OF the
conscience OF the King but had not considered
ed with the King. Nor did he recognise his rirht
to say what was the opinion expressed by one of
the Secretaries of Mir. Iyler's administrations
He (Mr. 3D. asserted on his responsibility
that he had expressed such an idea. He had
talked with him for hours and when the Secre-
tary OF the Navy denied it, he (Mr. b. would
prove his statement. You (Said Mr. b. address
ing himself to Mr.. Wiso) have 10 right to deny
it.
Such is the report of the Intoligeucer of to-
day, and believe it is very accurate.
lhese remarks, you will see, deeply involved
you personally and your sentiments and express
slons on most Important and delicate subject,
ana Were made under most interesting circuin-
stances, and In most distinguished place 10 al
tract public attention. And you will also see
that, IN the denial of the assertion of Mr. Bolts
mat you were, In your ''last conversation, with
MN, ian open, avowed, undisguiscd advocate of
tho Immediate dissolution of the Union.'' as
suIneu serious responsibility. This RESPONSE
6iy l should not have assumed had you not
been an absent friend, had you not been long my
neighbor had you not been until very lately my
constituent had l not had every opportunity,
pubic and private, to know your opinions and
your mode OF expressing them on the subject re-
ierred TO- and had you not printed and published
'hose opinions under almost every form of add ress
essay, pamphlet, and hook. Indeed, had Mr..
boots relied on your publications for his proof of
the grave charge he uttered on the floor against
you, should have left it to reference to those
publications for its retutation but he relied On a
conversaiion,'' ''for hours" by you, with him
heid when OF where he did not say, for the ma
ture and character OF which no reference can he
made that know of but to you or him. There
lore 1t was that | undertook TO say that Mr. Bolts
must have been mistaken, and to affirm what did
that you never could have advocated. openiy.
avowedy, and undisgnsedly, .s,he immediate
dissolution of the Unon,'' without dualificat on.
condition or contingency.
WIN You please say in reply whether ventur-
ed to assume too much in our behalf; and whe,b-
or did you injustice in this denial which have
made on may own authority!
very truly, your friend,
HENRY A. WISE
Hon. A. P. UPsuuR.
N. Ii. My Intention is to publish this letter
and yourrepy.