Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-16

A., part of the history OF the times, we give ~ eelh "
gotts letter TO New York While are free TO admit lat IL
exhibits IN improved spirit and style over his former Prouuc
lions we enter our decided protest against many portions OF
il AZ based on false views and exceedingly lnscheSous
in their tendency Webster said the Union in danger
and made his concliaory speech to save i-bnt Bolts
Southern man. says nerer has been III danger and all the
AGITATION al the South gotten mp by the Democratic
press for party capital and that Wing and politicians
were too "timd 10 expose the humbng Such language
from leading Southern man is emnenty calculated To give
ad and comfort" the Northern majority and 10 endanger
the Union itself. Put more anon.
LETTER FROM MR.. JOHN NJ. Bolts
RicHMoSp, March Is, 1851
GgNrLEMEN:-Your letter of the 18th instant expressing
the desire would attend the fifth anniversary Of The
Clay Festival Association al the Chinese Assembly Rooms
in the Civ of New York 18th Of April next in onoi
of the [seyety third birth day OF ds11 used friend,
has Just been received and regret that other engagements
render il unlikely that can be with you.
You do me the honor 20 say nothing Would he more
gratifying THANH look upon you listen to your eoqren:e
aud 10 extend you that courtesy :i hospitality de Ia
gu. disting uesfs Taking Tor granted thcn
that will be- altogether unacceptable 10 read as ouca
moi listen t,l thoughts that press upon my MIND "
avail myself Of The occasion, 10 do what Is very common
among politicians o the Present day aid define my position
on two points. No..
OF my long ardent and unwaveng Efforts for the potl-
cal advancement Of that great man, whose birthday you
thus propose celebrate will not here speak ou WIN
IMPROPERLY il will not be inappropriate 10 the DC
custom may explain the feeling BY which have been nc
aea the motives by which have been governed and the
my constant and uniaerng perseverance, III Ills
hehalf.
While the life OF Mr. Clay has been characterized by states
manshp the profound patriotism the most elevated
and devotion freedom and human rights the most en-
thusutic which were of themselves sufficient TO challenge
the appreciation of all unpreudced minds yet confess
was these but something than all these eminent
Qualities that first drew towards him doubtless there are
others az profound patriotic and devoted 10 the rights
and happiness OF the people Mr. Clay, oui ne possesses
another quality, 10 be valued III my judgment thah al
nyIs in fD
extent and when do this justice 70 him. II IS from no desire
TO deract from the claims merits ofany public man Tho
ture which is be acquired by habits education or
learning is the quality Of "Hord Courage IN superior
mind ID superior element which cannot DO too hghy
cherished. .
In him is 10 be found at all times and under all circun
stances fearless independence that freedom OF thought
habit Of saving what he thinks that read
mess resist and combat public opinion when ne thinks
public opinion error that indomabe sell VIII and de-
termination do what he thinks right, without calculating
the consequences himself that first attracted my admra
tion then my confidence and haally commanded my
services This quality which so much admire, Is know
by many mistaken and condemned for mprudence, ndscre
ton in political parlance Tor "impoicy 10 my mind,
no truly great man ever what is understood 10 BE-
IMAM policy for policy i'll political life means manage
ment, management means cunning ana cunning means ny
pocrsy Now surely doubts that Mr.. Clay has ca
pacify enough 10 become managing cunning intfsehg
hypocre or in other words man OF policy il he choose
10 bring his mind low level If one is bold und man
" in the expression vi his opinion touching the pdblc IN
lerests especially where they counter 10 the public mind
he regarded rash and impoc but he withholds his
opinions and by doing pracses deception on the peo
pie he is esteemed vi 'pocy" II notO Wis
dom. Who then could not be man OF policy If he chose
Is it easier 10 withhold opinion than 10 give II form
and utteranccl The smallest and the most unprnc
Piled demagogues the part regarded the most
polite; great mind dcspises all such artifce Mr. Clay dis
dams it, and honor him for II.
For these have et (as now eel) mat one
Of tho important services could render my country
mid in eeyatng him 10 the highest office known To
institutions not merely recompense 10 him tor his
the country itself might reap the beneh, OF his wisdom his
experience his patriotism and his example in the admlnstra
ton Of the government that he might leave the impress OF
his character the rising generaon that Tor the future We
might have of honesty and less OF policy than Is com
public men, for even now the opinion Is
prevalent If not universal that no man can DC hones
and successful in political life. believe such thing and
dcporc the pencons tendency of such an error and sun
hope this corrected and the truth illustrated In
the person of Henry Clay Ii such opinion should con-
tinus prevail how many will practise honesty who seek
success For the qualities have enumerated Mr. Clay IL
to the councils of the country what Decatur tho Ma
W. what the Army, the master spirit and The guld
ing upon whom all eyes are turned IN the day Of peril
and disqulctude.
When did Mr. Clay stand back, and wait for the Develop
public opinion Before he spoke upon question in
voving the interest," The honor or the hapn'se MS couh
y7 will confne myself the last few years fresh in the
recollection Of all Was ii upon the Texas question which
has brought such train of disaster and misery upon the
countryl Was upon tho Mexican which tho
suit the annexation Of Texas? or, il Just when
your Union threatened with dissolution, upon qnes-
ton brought about by annexation and the war!
On each of these occasions Poicy might have directed
different from that he has pursued and ne had
been Of what is generally esteemed the Stdtesmdn
Art he would have waited for the popular current thrown
himself upon BOSOM and hus have avoided that selinl
notation which he has been twice subjected III the last
sx years.
By his last great effort Gained the agitation Of the
lie has queed the he has restored confidence
encouraged the md given hope 10 the faint hearted and
blasted the designs Of the dsoganizers both North and
South who fed and lived agitation and excitement
But will not he guilty Of the folly the extravaganza ol
claiming for Mr.. Clay that ne has Sared The tnion Tor
the Union has been in danger The strength Of this
Union does not consist alone in parchment that may be
violated altered destroyed il s enshrned in the
hearts Of our countrymenere is lis throneers is lis
strenghtre ia it's deicnce-and the shafts of the Disu
nioniss pierce hearts before they shake the
foundation OF our liberties and greatness.
The people everywhere patriotic and loyal 10 the Union
while there be- there always has been difference
of opinion the powers that may be legtmatcy exer-
cised by Congress under the Constitution they cannot scri
ousy apprcheEd disregard of that sacred in
strnmcnt would justify rupture; and If 80 Improbable an
to happen there would still be remedy provided
by that compact by which have all agreed TO abide and
whenever the law making power of this government con-
sstng Of the Executive the and House Of Reprcsen
atives shall power that NAV he constitutions
ally exercised and that concurrence shn appeal be sls
timed BY the Supreme Court o the United States, we need
have fear that the aw!ovng and law abiding descendants
patriotic ancestors will not cheeclly submit though
it be attended with disappointment and loss OF power wle-
Their North or South.
1t in the power of the politicians destroy the
Union nor selfish disturb its harmony its pro
portions. Congress- thank God has power dissolve
the Union; THAI when done be the work OF The people,
and they have ir to do ii. Congress may dissolve il
self whenever il fill but the question Of Disunon must
back to the people, who will have the patience, and
the WISDOM calculate the horrors Of dissolution and civil
war; the shame and guilt that will attend the act Of extemi
mating the limited States" from the list Of nations and
from the map Of the world before they commit crime Tor
which they would be condemned By all living patriots for
which The dead would rise up in judgment against them for
which they would be visited with the Of postey
and for which God himself would permit them 90
punished. No. gentlemen! there has been danger Of 4
dissolution of the Union The discussions in Congress have
been we'll calculated becet dsaection and disirust and
10 excite bttor and acrimonious feelings but that altogeh
or Feren thing from sacrificing the liberties OF
ry which be destroyed By dismembermen Of this
night empire. On both sides :here has been much
denim and mach unwise and Improbable elimination and
recrinnaton has been INDUCED, which may we'll hope
is now nearly exhausted.
The truth plainly told is simply this In the South the
Democratic press and few aru politicians have for years
past struggled 10 make political capital out OF the Slavery
question; operated upon recently by distinguish
ed instigators Of mischief Thro Ina; memorable Southern
address of the last winter they work tcay
and rather unscrnpuousy charged the Wing party with be-
ing allied with the abol!onists OF the North charge
less stupid than liounded) Smaller politicians took
the large portion OF the Wing press and politicians
mid they have ever BEEN apprehensive of the conse
quence and fearing the denuncations Of their adycrsaries
(Which they should have despised Joined the scram
bic for popularity and once the Press and Politicians on