Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-26
A GARD FROM MR.. Bolts.
RICHMOND, January 25th, 1850

CARD FROM MR. Bolts.
RICHMOND January 25th, 1860
To the Editor of the Wig:
The slow, but daily, and apparently reluctant withdraw
al of from the letter lately addressed to me by
certain members of the Legislature renders incumbent
upon me 10 make brief statement OF facts connected
with that correspondence otherwise theinference NAV
be drawn abroad that have concurred the views
presented in my letter.
had been most urgently importuned by letters daily
received to let my friends know what my views on
the various questions that now and had been for
few months back agitating the public mind In every
instance, for reasons assigned to them, declined wr
ting anything for the public eye.
At length received H very long letter from valued
friend of high public Distinction asking my views whilst
ho furnished his.
In answer to him, stated why had not, and should
not write for the press but went to give him my
views very much in detail until got far into the sub.
ject that found it difficult to break Off and pursued
the subject to the end When it concluded read
it to few friends who insisted on its publication Oh
ected to it the ground that the letter would be de-
nounced by the whole Democratic press and that would
subject me to infinite deal Of vulgar personal abuse
whilst there no paper published here that would be
at all likely to defend myself my views Still its pub
LEGATION insisted on, a necessary and indispensable
document for understanding of the whole sub
ect by people who had been msed and whose minds
unduly excited. At length consented, on COndi
ton that approved and endorsed by the members
OF our party generally IN tue Legislature
To ascertain this fact and be sure of hearty ap-
prova and cooperation, invited about twenty mem
bers of the Legislature and Including the Editor of the
Wig, who, account of the weather did not come
eight ten gentlemen of the city, TO spend the evening
OF the 18TH at house. il order TO hear the paper read
The night was very inclement, vet twenty-one two
gentlemen, embracing six or seven OF the prOm-
nent members of the Senate about the number of
the House. aud the balance OF citizens attended The
letter read to most attentive and interested audi
ence-the circumstances were explained under which
it was prepared-afer which | submitted the paper to
their control to be thrown behind the fire if they said So
TO be thrown before the public if they preferred it,
1t was thoroughly discussed for nearly two hours and
never will venture to say there paper read to any
body OF gentlemen, that was more enthusiastically and
unanimously endorsed, and approved. These sugges-
tons submitted TO me- in writing; for during this
discussion, had retired into another room, at the
quest of some of the members that my mOdesty might
be put the blush by the compliments that were
to be bestowed There two passages in the letter that
they thought not liable TO Bscosructio, but might
be to Misrepresentation. Ii suggested that they
might be made cxpleit-One made sO-and
the other struck out altogether. There a third
relating the general character Of the democratic party
which il was thought should be somewhat mOdied-it
stricken out entirely.
The next day Saturday received the letter signed
by six members of the Senate and eight Of the House.
asking to furnish my views for publication, all Of
Ndd Hfdfd me tettff Tcud SCN hllcrhlOns OF Inc
letter necessary made and handed to
them The day after | received the letter, one Of the
sgners called my house aud asked for the letter
ing that there other members who desired Sig
10, and it came back TO with the additional names
had no reason to doubt that these gentlemen knew full
well what they doing | understood the general
character of the letter freely spoken Of by those
who had heard it read, and explained TO all who
signed the call and some of whom had paid friendly
visits during the winter and had heard similar views e1
pressed by me in private conversation, in which had
reason to suppose they cdhcurred
should have been much gratifed If each retiring gem
teman had pointed out specifically those portions of the
letter. embracing such variety OF subjects to which they
made specific objection.
One gentleman in bis card SAYS If there is any trea-
in the letter he does not endorse it :" if any
il sandered in it, he does not endorse ~ but he does
not say there is either treason Islander. If he will
point the the other be will obge me- as it
will afford me the opportunity OF explanation or with
drawal, for intended neither
Another gentleman says "it entered into his
mind to make personal issue between Mr.. Bolts and
Gov. Wise Nor did il ever enter into nv head or Of
any of those who heard the letter read that review and
criticism Of the public conduct Of any official in this
try, cOuchcd in terms not personally offensive, would
constitute just cause for personal issue between the
parties aud certainly uniortunat both in the
lection of my language and of my counselers, if did
respass all on the personal character or feelings Of
Governor Wise for ,0aS or intended to be, sudious
" cautious in avoiding ground for personal COMPLAINT
But 1t wanted high authority for this right of criticism
on the public conduct OF public men, would point to
Gov. Wise himself who has INDUCED in this species of
political warfare TO extent that has parallel in this
country. But be that it may shall indulge in it
my discretion, and schOomasters rod shall deter
from it aud when occupy any public station whether
it be President Governor Constable, sLal expect
others to do the towards me, without of
complant-if my public conduct will not bear their scru
tiny, il will be my misfortune, and will be obliged TO
submit the consequences Liberties enough have been
taken, God knows with my political opinions and course
to justify me in taking more with others-and do it |
will whenever choose-and if any other construction
has been placed upon it, it is erroneous. Thank God
have not yet quite reached the tme although it may
be rapidly approaching when any public man in this free
country can be elevated SO high above bis fellows that
his public conduct is not open to anmadversion, not
withstndng the terrorism attempted to be exercised by
the press and the daily threats of personal accountability
on the part of all who knew OF the contents of that letter
in advance, which they, and alike, regard as would
gentle breeze at once grateful and refreshing
for it shows the letter not written in vain.
No indeed the letter is doing its work, not only
in this State but throughout the country, among peO
pie whose heads the rod not daily shaken for in
tmidation; and what is more, it can't be checked.
have only submitted facts known to ALL and drawn my
own conclusions from them-the people will do the same,
evidence of which am already daily receivng-if my
conclusions have been eroneOus-as | haver admitted
they may bethe Developments to be made by the COM
mittees of investigation here and III Washington, will
show that they so, and none will then be more ready
than |, to acknowledge it, had rather be regarded IA
"Pacifcator" who had tranquized the public mind,
and restored harmony the distracted sections of the
country than TO be President of the United States
which is no bed of roses and which gratifes other
passion than that of ambition and lead to the per
sOna happiness OF none.
If there any others who desire TO avoid response
bility hope they will at once withdraw their Names
and will ASSUME their share of the consequences
Respectfully,
JoUN N ROTTS