The New York herald., 1869-01-09
fore peace and fraternity once smiled upon the
people OF the United States.
.yehp Minor Bolts.

people OF the United States. .
Jahn Minor Bolts.
Yesterday morning at one O'Clock John Minor
Bots died at his residence In Culpepper, Virginia.
aged sixty-six years and four months. Thus has
passed away from earth one of the most prominent
public men of the Old Dominion. Mr.. Bolts was
born in the village OF Dumfries, Prince William
county virginia, on the 10th OF September, 1902.
While quite child his parents moved to Fredericks-
burg and from thence to Richmond, where, IN 1871,
they perished in the confa1ration OF the theatre
Under the care OF guardian the subject OF TINS
sketch received liberal education, studied law, ana
in 1921, before he had reached his nineteenth year,
was admitted to the bar and Immediately engaged
in the practice Of his profession His abilities,
though OF very high order, were not adapted
TO the law, or II they were he soon
grew tired OF it, for we ind him in 1927 abandoning
his profession and retiring to his farm in Henrico
county where he devoted his time to AGRICULTURAL
pursuits Beng in comparatively atruent cIrcum-
stances he possessed great deal Of leisure time,
which was devoted to politics. ready, plausible
speaker, he soon became widely ana popularity
known and in 1888 was elected member OF the
Virginia Legislature dover house, About this time
the old whig party had commenced to assume
definite form, and the deceased espoused Its doc
triDes with ardor soon becoming one Of it's most
political career he seems to have been an op-
ponent or the democratic party, becoming
more intense in his opposition as years
advanced. he remained in the Legislature OF his
native State until 1884, period OF six years during
which time he probably did more towards ncreas-
ing the strength and influence OF the wing party in
Virginia tnan almost any other public man OF his
time. In 1890 he was elected q representative in
Congress, serving for four years. As Congress-
man Mr.. Bolts became more widely known, but did
little or nothing to distinguish himself He was a
nrm advocate OF all OF Mr. Clay's measures ma
tional bank, protective tariff and the distribution
among the States of the proceeds Of the public
lands were the views held by the great Kentuckian,
and no representative supported them with greater
ardor and devotion than did the deceased although
In at least one particular-the protective tariff
poicy-he was opposed by the vast majority
OF his constituents. That he was prompted by con.
scientous motives, however. as well as by his warm
personal friendship for Mr. Clay there appears to be
no doubt for long after Virginia had rejected these
measures he adhered to them unnnchingly. In
1889 Mr. Bolts was q delegate to the Harrisburg Con.
vention which nominated General Harrison for ths
Presidency, and during the canvass which followed
gave the nominee warm and effective support.
The accession OF Mr.. Tyler to the Presidency afte1
the death OF General Harrison at first gave the de-
ceased sincere pleasure. He was one OF the warmes
and most intimate personal friends Of Mr.. Tyler
and regarded with satisfaction his promotion ia
the highest Office IN the gift Of the merican people
At that time there were many rumors touching the
loyalty Of the President to the wing party, and
for the purpose OF sounding him Mr.. Bolts occupied
the same with Mr.. Tyler at a hotel In Washing
ton. was this roomng together that gave rise to
the now current and amusing saying that he Botts)
"slept with the President long conversation
tpnG v1oa afpvaa fba fvvn rtuia
Mr. Tyler was cautious and evaslve; Mr.. Bolts was
anxious and inquring. The result OF the interview
was 50 unsatisfactory to the latter that he wrote
private letter to friend In which he broadly init
mated that it would be good policy to "look out fol
Captain Tyler" The publication OF this letter Gre
ated marked sensation and is said to have exer-
President. Indeed. even Mr.. Bolts at one
time entertained the hope that IL Rublica.
never realized while his previously expressed fears
in 1s4I the bills to establish fiscal bank and
fiscal corporation were passed and promptly vetoed.
deceased % for Mr. Tyler e changed to bitter anmosy.
The session Of Congress had been marked BY exhi-
q Oh soe os M nae
ties before the vetoes were sent In subsequently the
bitterness increased, Mr. Bolts heading the opposi
his denunciations Of the treachery Of Mr. Tyler and
the political fortunes Of the deceased.
Or Congress- nor did he return until is47, when he
was elected for the third and last time. In the Pres
aT s % r os gsss a. pe de-
feat OF the Kentuckian by President Polk The elec
ton Of whig administration IN the person Of General
Taylor in ls4s brought him again prominently before
the public but the early death OF the hero Of Mexico
and the subsequent virtual Tylerizng OF Fillmore SO
from political life. His last public effort in be-
half OF General Scott, In 1852, when he stnmped vr-
gina against Pierce. But the influence OF Mr.. Bolts
had departed. virginia gave q majority for the
democratic candidates. and with their election the
The Organization Of the Know Nothing or Ameri-
before the public and 1t be truly said that for
lzaton that commanded his fullest syInpathies. II
Is true that he ever declined nominations for once;
them there was little or no chance for hs election.
Ine great mass q the people were Opposed % wag
Know Nothingsm S was was destroyed BY the ne democrats
In Virginia. When the war broke out Mr.. Bolts OPP
posed secession and used all Of his inau-
ginia. He retired to his farm ana took no
part In public aIairs He was twice arrested by the
the same time he does not appear to have taken any
very decided stand for the Union until after the re-
justice. That he was at heart q Union man we
firmly believe; that he hated the secession leaders
desired the the deeat @ the rebel armies @ a and suppre
sion OF the rebellion Is, we think, certain. But while
the contest seemed doubtful, when final victory hung
home in Virginia, sometimes in The federal
and at other times In tho rebel lines, and
always on quiet terms with both sides. The
secret OF Mr.. Botts' vaciating course IL TO
be found In his political sentiments. He loved
ardenty, and felt unb0unded, pride IN Virginia The
rumphs OF her sons were his victories, and II he did
not openly express satisfaction he no doubt in
wardy exuted over the deeds OF Stonewall Jackson
and Robert f. Lee. Against this State pride was an
inherent vencration OF the Union and, more potent
than all else, the bitter hatred he entertained FOR the
democratic party and leaders. This hatred had
lasted for years. and sincerely believe tnat IL was
only extingusied when he died yesterday morn
Ing. Thus, when all things are considered, there is
much to excuse vacillation or to less elegant
but more expressive phrase the riding OF two horses
during our recent civil war.
+, After the SUPPRESSION Of the rebellion Mr.. Bolts
joined the radicals In their contest with the Pres
dent. The reconstruction laws found in him sup
porter. He became a candidate for the Recnnstrnc-