Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-16
LETTER FROM HON JOHN M. BOLTS.

RICHMOND, March Is, 1850.
Gentlemen Your letter of the 18th instant express
ing the desire that would attend the fifth anniversary
OF the Clay Festival Association, at the Chinese AS
semby Rooms in the City of New York, on the 18th of
April next in honor Of the birth day of distinguish
ed irend has just been received and regret that other
engagements render it unlikely that can be with YOU
You do me the honor to say nothing would be more
gratifying than to look upon you, listen to your eo
quence and to extend oyou that courtesy and hospital
iy due "to our most distinguished guests" Taking for
granted them that it will not be altogether unaccepta
Bile 10 read las you cannot listen toy few thoughts that
press upon my mind, will avail myself of the occasion
to do what is very common among politicians of the
present day. and define my position two points.
vi my long ardent ana unwaverng efforts for the po
lltcal advancement OF that great man, whose birthday
you thus propose to celebrate, l will not here speak
Dul without improperly as 1t will not be inappropriate
to the occasion, may explain the feeling by which
have been actuated the motives by which have been
governed and the for my constant and untaer
ing perseverance in his behalf.
While the life OF MIR. Clay has been characterized by
craftsmanship the most profound, patriotism the most
elevated, and devotion to freedom and human rights
the most enthusiastic, which of themselves suffi-
Gent to challenge the appreciation of all unpreudiced
minds yet confess it was not these, but something
than all these eminent qualities that first drew me o.
wards him doubtless there are others as profound as
patriotic, and devoted the rights and happiness of
the people as Mr. Clay but he possesses another quality
more to be valued IN my judgment than all else, which
have not found to exist in others to the same extent
and when do this justice to him. it is from no desire to
deract from the claims or merits of any other public
man. The quality to which refer, is a rare and pecu-
ar gift OF nature which is not to be acquired by habits
education, or learning il is the quality of Moral
Courage" yn superior mind 1t is a superior element
which cannot be too highly cherished.
In him is be found at all times and under all cir
cumsances, that fearless Independence that freedom of
thought, that unrestrained habit OF saying what he
thinks that readiness to resist and combat public opinion
when he thinks public opinion in error that indomitabe
self-w and determination to do what he thinks light,
without calculating the consequences to himself, that
flrst attracted my admiration, then my confidence,
and finally commanded my services This quality,
which so much admire, is know by many mistaken
and condemned tor imprudence, ndiscreon, in poll
teal "parlance" for mpolicy" To my mind, no truly
great man ever was what is now understood TO be q
"man OF policy" for policy in political life, means man
means hypocrisy. Now surely no man doubts that Mr.
Clay has capacity enough to become managing Gun
ming, Intrigueng hypocrite or, in other words, imam
OF policy if he choose to bring his mind to as low
level Ii one is bold and manly in the expression of
his opinion touching the public interests especially
where they run counter to the public mind he regard
ed as rash and lmpoc, but ii he whhods his opinions
and by so doing practices deception of the people, he
at esteemed OF policy" if not of wisdom
Who then could not be man OF policy if he choose?-
Is it not easier to withhold an opinion than TO rive il
form and uteranee? The smallest men and the most
unprncpled nrguers and demagogues are for the most
part regarded the most polite great mind despses
all such arhce, Mr. Clay dsdains it, and honor him
for it.
For these reasons have ever felt las now fee) that
one OF the most important services could render my
country was to aid in elevsng him to the highest office
known to our Institutions merely as recompense
tohm for his long and eminenty useful services to his
country but that the country itself might reap the bene-
hit OF his WISDOM his experience, his patriotism and his
example IN the administration OF the government; that
he might leave the impress of his character ON the rising
generation that for the future might have more Of
honesty and less OF policy than is common to our public
men; for even now the opinion is prevalent if not uni
versa that no man can be honest and successfuln po
tcal life believe no such thing and deplore the per-
ncous tendency OF such an error, and still hope to
this corrected, and the truth illustrated the per-
son OF Henry Clay If such opinion should continue
to prevail, how many will practice honesty who seek
success For the qualities have enumerated, Mr.. Clay
is to the councils OF the country what Decatur
the Navy, what Scott is to the Army, the master spirit
the day Of peril and dsquietude.. 80 "
When did Mr.. Clay stand back, and wait for the de-
veopment of public; opinion, before he spoke upon a
question involving thenteest the honor the happi-
ness of his country will confne myself to the last