The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-06-06
Letter from Atty. Gen. Bates 40 BOIam
Nh. HSOtts. of Va.

Letter from Atty. eSen. Bates 40 5Ohn
Nh. Bolts, of Va.
We publish below a letter tLom Hon. Ed
ward Bates of Missouri, the present I. IS. Atty.
Gen., to John Minor Bolts, Of Virginia, and
formerly a strong Union man. Mr. Bates had
previously written letter to Mr. Bolts, in
which he handled secession without gloves, and
laid the treachery and foolishness Of the seces-
sion movement SO bare, that he is, out of pity,
disposed to treat the excoriated Mr.. Bolts with
more moderation in this letter, though he does
not let up the least bit on secession Itself;
WASHINGTON, May s.
Hon. John N. Bolts, Richmond, Va.
My DEAR SIR: In answer to your letter of
May 3, have not and ought not have much
to say This much however both my inclina-
ton and my duty require me to say my per,
sonal respect for You remains Eundio1i ished--
Ny friendly feelings towards you are not only
not diminished, but are made moreto deep and
tender by the distressing circumstances which
surround you. And these facts make me regret
very much that 1 should have oeen compelled
by circumstances to write you such letter
as to inflict any pain or modification, and es-
pecially to the degree indicated by your an
swer. and explained more at large by the friend
who bore it. l disclalm ali intention to wound
your feelings, OF to offer you the slightest IN
dignity, and if there be anything in my letter,
from which an intention to insult you can pos
sibly be inferred, / retract it.
This much l say with the intention and hope
of preventing any breach, or even weakening
of the personal relations between us. Let US
be friends still.
But it seems now that we differ SO widely in
opinion upon matters of fact, that it is imposs-
= 49,
ment You think that the Union is already dis
soved-the nation already destroyed On the
contrary, / believe no such thing. You believe
that a peaceful dissolution Of the Union, in the
manner, and by the means already employed,iS
possible. believe it impossible. believe
that the insane effort at atiOnal destruction,
persisted in, will involve a war more terrible
than any the world has witnessed, since the
thirty years war in Germany You think that
great nation like this can consent to de- and
may hope to die an easy death. 1 think that ma
tions, like individuals, are under Gods great
law of selfdefense, and when pressed down by
superior force will die in convulsive agenies.
Y GU seem to think that Virginia can go out of
the Union and still preserve her integral State
hood l think that when she dismembers the
nation, she will herself be disnembered.
But will not continue the contrast NY
heart is sorrowfnl when 1 contemplate the pres |
ent degradation of Virginia. "How are the |
mighty fallen ~ With the loss of her power,
she has lost all prestige also, and can no lon
ger lead the people and direct the counsels of
States She remembers her patriots and sages |
of former times, only to boast of them-not to
initiate their talents and virtues, but (by i'm
pict faith) to impute to the present generation
the posthumous reputation OF the glorious dead
Formerly she proudly marched in the van of all
the States; now she creeps in the rear Of South |
Carolina, and consents to be detailed as pick !
ct guard, TO man an outpost OF the Cotton |
States.
Poor old Virginia In my heart pity her. !
Already they boast in the South that they have |
transferred the seat of war from their homes to
yours. And soon their devouring legions will |
be upon you to eat up your substance and do
your voting at the disunion election. Now, |
mark my prophesy; unless Virginia by rap !
i'd revolution, redeem herself from the gulf that |
lies open just before, she will be degraded, i'm |
poverished and disnembered. For her, hope
almost against hope And for you 1 remain as |
heretofore, Your friend, EDWARD BATES.
Another Editor Gone ID. Mallo. of the
Columbus (Wis.) Journal, has sold out his pa
per and enlisted for the war. The last number
of the Journal contains his valedictorY.