The republic., 1851-11-03

conclude as follows:
''As addressed to his friends alone, the letter of
Mr.. Bolts is not conciliatory. II could not be
pected to be go. He has a right to the feelings
which he expresses. They belong to his tempera-
ment and to his position. The suspicious which he
vents are natural 10 the treatment which he has
reoeived-a treatment which must affect all Wings
devoted supremely to the public cause-not the
man. We feel much with him; but while we avow
it, we do not share in the bitterness which may be
imputed to him; and all, we trust will applaud the
noble spirit which, in his withdrawal from any fu-
ture part but private one in the politics of the
district, crowns his last act as public man.
To my Wig Friends Of the SiGh C0ngrsssionaI
District.
We have met the enemy-and we are theirs
The circumstance of our late overwhelming de-
feat was so unlocked for, and so contrary to all
reasonable calculation, that men of all parties
stand amazed, and ask why and how il isS No one
seems ready TO account for the disastrous result
None seem prepared to explain why my vote now
should fall so far short of the vote received in
49, when IT 10 known that most of those who voted
for Mr.. Lee on that occasion voted for me on this
In '49 MIR. Seddon's vote was 2,S44-mine 2, ,45S-
that of Mr.. Lee 3l7. While IL is true that por-
ton of those 3l7 who voted for MIR. Lee have chosen
10 keep alive and perpctuate that old feud, (for
what purpose, or for whose advantage, time may
perhaps disclose,) yet it is also that large
majority OF them, so far ascertain It,
voted for me Mt this election; that if those who
voted for me in '49 had done SO again, INV vote
would have been some $50 larger than before; and
when to this we add the large number known 10
favc voted now that did not vote at all in the last
election, II would appear that my vote now should
have swelled TO some four or five hundred more
than at the last election, which would have been
sufhclent to ensure our success; for although Mr..
CaslSie's vote in Chesterfield s unaccountably in
creased beyond any vote the party has ever given,
yet his aggregate vote in the district does not ex-
ceed the number we gave him credit for.
1t is apparent, then, that have lost several hun
dred of those who have heretofore supported me,
and were not among those who took offence at my
course in the Presidential election Of 1913. While
1t may not be uninstructve to many, ii may satisfy
the curiosity OF others to learn how this has been
effected, and, since the smoke of the battle has
passed away, have found no difficulty in account
ing for it.
1t has unquestionably, to my mind, been occa.
stoned by my vote in the convention on the Basis
question. Most of the White Basis men in this dis.
trict were of the Democratic party, who never suf
fer such questions to interrupt their fidelity to par
ty obligations; consequently did not secure vote
from them. There are very many others who to
this day have not the slightest conception of what
the White or Mixed Basis mean. Heretofore every
man in Eastern Virginia has been Mixed Basis
man; the White Basis has never been discussed be-
fore them; they know nothing of the practical ope-
ration upon themselves between the two; they
know not how far personal rights of men, as con-
trased with the rights OF property (the rights of
property, say, not rights TO property,) are con-
cerned, and they have been led to believe by the
very men who afterwards came into my support
that had committed some most outra geous act as
an eastern representative, in Offering a compro-
mise to the convention; when they themselves, to-
gether with those who, during the whole of the
last spring and summer, were actively enga ged in
stirring up discomfort and resentment, came for
ward and voted for the constitution, which contains
a compromise far less acceptable to every reflect
ing eastern man than mine, and one O gainst which
lent whatever influence | had in convention and
resisted to the last. In other words, there were
those who, in a moment of excitement raised the
whirlwind. but could not afterwards direct the
storm.
The truth is that the great error committed
as far as my present success was concerned, was
in endeavorng in the convention to act the part OF
a statesman, instead of that of demagoguc in
endeayoring to make constitution for the State of
Virginia, instead of constitution for the county
OF Chesterfield; in taking an enlarged and liberal
view OF every question, instead OF a narrow, cir
cunscribed and sectional view, to promote my
own success; in short, / sacrificed myself TO a
sense OF justice TO the west, and holy, burning
spirit OF patriotism to the State but so far from
being dlsmayed by the result, | proud that
had the moral courage to do lin view of all antici-
pated difficulties of which was forewarneo) what
both my head and heart taught me to believe was
right and proper in itself. If had it to do over
again, would do as did before
Having thus explained the cause of our defeat il
remains for me to state the particular objects of
this address.
IL 49, In the first place. to return my warmest, sin
ceTest, and most unaffected acknowle drments 10
those never falling friends wfo have stood by me
through good and evil report--who have been found
by my side in six trials and did not desert me in
the seventh-and to say that 20 the latest day of
my existence ! shall remember them with the
most affectionate gratitude.
In the second place, TO inform them that desire
that my name should be forever withdrawn from
the political arena. With the Whig party al
ways expect to act; with it always have acted
No treatment, however ungrateful, that may re
ceve at its hands, affect my principles or
drive Inc from Its support, as long those prnci
pies are cherished by the party. was one of those
who nursed it in its infancy, rocked it in its era
die nurtured into manhood battled for il at every
point, SACRIFICED In its cause all had, and would
now do more to perpetuate its name, and preserve
its honor, than all those men combined, who, with
the hollow profession of Whiggery on their lips,
have stood patiently, if not admiringly by, and
seen it inundated, at one fell blow, by hands that
they had themselves aided to upift, although they
had not the courage themselves to strike; while
they have exuingly boasted that this is our
work; we have done at last the deed it our des
tiny to perform
can stand up against all the slandcr, and caum
ny, and vltuperatfon Of my Democratic assaiants,
and have never had any trouble in beating them,
until they were joined by hundreds from our own
ranks; but cannot, and will not, fight against
the Wing porty; and if harmony can be restored
to its discordant ranks by the withdrawal of my
name, SO let il be. My enemies may exult at this
surrender; those who have sought to bring about
this withdrawal may exchange congratulations
over the accomplishment of their ends; but if the
success of the party and its principles be pro-
NOTED by it, shall look to the end of my political
existence with indifference and composure, if not
heartfelt satisfaction Indeed, this is precisely what
wanted to do last summer, but was overruled in
my determination.
Lastly, wish to address few words to my inn
mediate friends, who justly at least natural
ly indignant at the result, many Of whom max
ing rash resolves never to vote Whig ticket
again, and threaten to vote for the Democratic
ticket in the fast approaching election for officers
of the State. ask, why should you do this? If you
have been treated badly by some protesting to be
your friends, have you met with more aid and
comfort from those of the opposite party3 Your
own party may not have discharged its duty; but
what has the other party done to entitle it to your
sympathies' If those Wings who now glory in
their "indepsndence," have to sacrifice their
party, their principles, and an Administration that
they hypocriticay profess to support, how can you
justify yourselves by initiating their example. and
in an impulsive moment of resentment, and in a
spirit ofindgnaon at what you denounce as treach-
cry in them, in turn sacrifice your party, your prin-
ciplcs, and an Administration that you HONESTLY
desire TO see sustained? Rather show them your
| mari fnritt q uh,t,, l.