Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-04-28
A Letter. From John M. Bolts.

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A Letter. From John M. Bolts.
The following letter, written by Jao. NJ. Bot
and published in the Penny Post is in response to
invitation to address the people of Richmond in be
half of the Know othings:
| HENnIco. April 18th, 1865.
GENTLEMEN I'll received your communication thi
! morning, expressing a desire, in common with
number of others, to hear my opinions the poii
tical topics that occupy the public mind ant
also expressing wish that would address the poo
pie At such time as might suit my convenience.
feel confident that there is not one among thos
who signed that paper. or among those who know
me, that will suspect for one moment that have
the least desire to conceal withhold the opinions
and under ordinary circumstances, wonld not hest
tate TO comply with your requests but will not pre-
tend to be ignorant of the fact that It is earnestly
desired, by large number of my old friends
among whom most, if not all of you may be classed
That should be selected the candidate to reTre
sent this district in the next Congress of the Untst
States;-nor will feign ignorance of another fac
that At this moment, the most active and unrelen.
ting hostility, the most cinbittered, acrimonious
and Prosecuting warfare, is carried on against me,
~ tam quarters, BY REMNANT Of that party, that
made itself memorable in the canvass of lS49 aided
by some half d0zeA recruits, whose first, chief
and only object it seems is my political destruction
although it might be attended, ~ it was in 40, with
the loss Of the district the loss Of the State
scks the success Of the party and Of the principles
lance with many Of them, when compared with this,
their primary aim and end.
But, gentlemen, do not regret that you have
aiforded me the opportunity ofsaying that upon the
subject Of this congressional election. have beep
and shall continue to be, entirely passive and mac
tive. have already taken my position in regard to
AZ Offices and elections, in my card of the 18th of
turning neither to the right hand the left to
invite support or conciliate opposition; and know
that when such greediness for Office Is displayed as
at this time, could take part in any POLITICAL
discussion, without having my motives impugned
my remarks perverted, and my position miscon-
stiued and assaied.
You will pardon me, therefore, for declining to
do any thing that could by the ungenerous and CEN
Serious be Construed into an attempt to secure for
myself nomination for Congress. If at any period
OF my life have exhibited the least desire to occu-
py that position, it was when the path wss rugged
and steep, and filled from end to end with briars
and thorns, that other at that day felt dspo
sed to encounter and now, when it is supposed that
all impediments have been removed, and that it is
light and easy pleasant mornings walk, (about
which there might yet be some mistake, am quite
willing to give way to. those who have had little
agency in bringing about this result: and as look
more to the aseendancy and permanent security Of
great principles, than | do to the elevation of a
friend. or to the humiliation OF foa, say now as
1t has been province to say, for time past
whenever my name was connected with any office,
that hope my name will not be permit d to inter
ceptable to the party, especially with one who la.
shown strength in the district than have done
or who, 1t may be supposed, can command larger
share OF confidence and support than can.
hope may live long enough to be thoroughly
understood by my enemies, and that they may live
to learn that am unscfsh enough to abandon any
pretensions or claims to office, that may be sup
posed to possess to secure the harmony and success
of any party that the convictions of nv Judgment
may lead me to unite myself with. (3y the wav
have done this often that it has become almost
a stereotyped game that am expected to play
whilst none have ever been found aisnteros,ed en-
ough to practice it towards me.)
AT some subsequent period and on some more ap-
proprlate occasion, might be unwilling to meet any
one OF the distinguished gentlemen who have ndulg-
ed In such harsh, INDIGENOUS, and unbeconing terms
IN relation to the purposes and designs of the great
American organization, which over shadows the land
ana 70 offer for their principles, such defence and
Justncation as in my judgment they are emnently
entitled to receive, and as, with my limited powers
| might be able to advance.
In the meantime, however, will say to my old
friends, to my old whig friends of the Henry Clay
scnooi, that my opinion upon old political questions
IN there is no high treason in referring to them)
have undergone no change whatever; the present
condition OF the country, when it is at peace with all
the world with the productions of the earth bring
ing higher prices than they ever brought before
with an Influx o. gold beyond all former example in
the history Of any country or of any age; with an
enormous European debt still hanging over us, and
country and every branch of business; with search
~ OF the circulating medium, and the want of en-
pioyment for labor with Sub Treasury that with
draws from the channels of trade large portion OF
its sustenanco and lifes blood, and which locks up
from the uses Of the people all that abroad
to dc laid out in the workshops of Eurane and with
what is termed free trade system that sends abroad
Grafton acting as the upper and lower millstones
that are grinding and crushing the people and i'm
povershing the nation, by leaving the labor of the
conntry either unemployed or inadequately remun-
q npA rtaAk
which our eyes cannot be closed, 1t does appear to
be clearly and sgnaly demonstrated to every intel
ligent rejecting and dispassonate mind that there
Is tota! absence OF all wisdom propriety and policy
IN the adoption and working of the leading
OF the Democratic party, though am free to &C.
knowledge that see no remnant Of a Wing party
let IN the state to encourage their repeal.
In reference to the principles OF the other party
mean the great " American Party" as it should
hen :eorth and all occasions be Called in contra
distinction to the foreign "anti-American party"
and thus drop the senseless name of .'know-N 9TH
ing,' am unlike many OF the gentlemen whose ad-
dresses have been lately spread before the public,
in one particular at least. They say they endorse
most Of the principles of that party without inform
very convenient back door for future escape. while
endorse the whole, from the beginning to the end
from the Alpha to the Omega. ! belive them to b,
purely conservative, national and patriotic, and tina
they should never be lost sight Of by any patriotic
| native born American citizen, nor by q large por
tion of the already naturalized foreign population
and in my conscience and SOUL believe that but fol
the foreign vote which the demagogues desire to se
cure for their advantage, is not one in ten OF
our entire population, (whose prejudices would not
forbid an impartial examination of the objects and
designs OF the order,) who would not ratify and en-
dorse them.
may object, and do object, to the workinrs Of the
order in Certain localities by men who think have
no business in it, and who have either gone into il
TOR selfish and improper views or have wholly mis-.
understood tine original purposes and designs of the
order; and may think, and do think that there are
material notifications that might be adyantareously
adopted, yet all that has little to do with the grea,
national organization.
My only fear for the continued success of the marty
arises from its strength, which, theresis reason q
apprehend Will prove its weakness il is getting ts
be overwhelming that seventenths of the aspirant
for office, who have not already joined it, will not b.
long in knocking at its doors and asking for admit
tnnce into ts chambers and imitation into its myste
ries and when they come in search of Office he. viii
need no ''dark lantern by which To find he wav"
and BY this means may become as the late partie
did become, selfish, spoils seeking and Office
ing party; and do trust, that at the first naiona
council that may be held, constitutional nrovisior
may be adoptnd, declaring that no man shall be- en-
titled to the support of the party who is personal
applicant for office, who sets himself up as can
didate or labors to obtain nomination this prae-
tee should be discouraged and disoountenanccd as
the best means of keeping the party purified and
clean. II man has talents and merit it is very apt
to be discovered by somebody else beside himself and
when discovered, they very apt to be sufficiently
appreciated to warrant his friends in presenting his
claims in such form win bring them to public light.
There is one particular point upon which some