Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-26
Mr.. John Minor Bolts Speech in New York

The following is an extract from the reply
of Mr.. Bolts, to the Brooklyn Ashland Club
you speak of me as, in the opinion Of
those you represent, rs well as of yourselves,
the proper person in whose hands the stan
dard of Opposition to democracy should be
placed for the election in 1860, and now ask
me emphatically and categorically whether
would be willing to accept the position
YOU propose 10 assign me. | have done
nothing, and shall take no step, towards my
elevation to the igh trust. Nor will affect
a mock modesty on this occasion by pretend.
Ing to shrink from the great responsibilities
which attach to that elevated place. IL may
have the appearance of vanity, and perhaps 1t
is, 10 say that there are no responsibilities
connected with the discharge of its duties,
which any man need trembe at approach
Ing, who will take the constitution rs bis
guide the good of the whole country rs his
aim, and the preservation of all its interests
rs his determined purpose.
Surrounding himself with the best intel
lect, ot the country,-wlth men whose pat
riotIsm will be equal to the emergency Of
sacrificing their own advancement for tie
good of the whole ,-disehargin their public
duties with aacrity and fidelity, recognizing
equally the rights of all sections, and looking
with pre- udice upon none, but with fixed
determination To do what he believes ~ be
right | see nothing 50 terrific i'll these re-
sponsbllities rs to prompt mo to say would
shudder rs | approached them. IT, there
fore, it should be the pleasure of my country
men to confer this high and honorable dis
stincton upon me, will accept it with pride;
and hope with Il resolution that could not
be shaken, never to be turned by any nhu-
ences that might be brought to bear upon
me, from what believe to be an honest and
faithful discharge of all the duties that might
dcvolye upon me. With such views, | be-
lieye it would be rs easy a matter to manage
the affairs Of this government without invol-
wing the country in perplcxing difficulties
abroad, or internal quarrels at home, Us it is
to manage the affairs OF plantation in the
South or Il manufacturing establishment ut
the North
If | entertain desire on this subject, it is
but truth to say, that it is because the cUun
try has reached condition which needs
change, and needs improvement. think it
is necessary for the well-being of all, that a
new order of things should be instituted, not
only in Washington, but throughout the
country. | have the vanity (if you choose to
think 1t SOY to believe that this, with the
proper aid ON tie part Of the legislative de-
partmcnt Of the government, | could and
would institute; aud under this belief | say,
in reply TO your enquiry, that if it should be
the pleasure Of the opposition to select me as
their standard-bearer, Us Il candidate of the
nation. unconnected with sectionalism, Sec
tional organizations, or sectional questions,
| would accept with u grateful heart; and, if
elected, would endeavor TO wear the honors
Of the office with becoming humility and Il
determination to do my duty and my whole
duty, to my country, and my whole country"