Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-01-13
JOHN 8. BARBoUR,s OPINIONS.

The Alexandra Gazette, in quoting the state
ment in this paper concerning the recently ex.
pressed opinions Of John s. Barbour, OF Viz
ginia, confessing the hopelessnsss Of the rebel
cause, says edtoriallv: .-s --.-.r....s
1.-THE above is from the Washington Star and
may therefore, Of course, be taken for-what it
Is worth. How the editor OF that paper should
know the remarks and opinions Of Mr. Bar.
bour, one Of the most prudent and discreet men
we ever new-and who we can aver is not in
the habit Of communicating his views to his
servants, is matter of surprise, and will cause
many to doubt the whole story. It Ia also some-
tains the views and sentiments Of the leading
men in the South. Won't somebody accuse
the Rebels 2"
BY way Of satisfying the curiosity Of the
Alexandra Gazette with reference = the way
in which the Star learns Of statements made by
leading rebels in Virginia with reference to the
rebellion and its prospects, we beg leave to call
its attention to fact 1t well knows to be true
viz: that the negro inmates Of every family in
the South do have constant opportunities OF
hearing statements made and opinions ex-
pressed by the whites Of the same household,
which they would not make publicly.
Ever since the commencement OF the war the
editor Of the Star has been daily called on by
numbers Of refugees from Virginia, colored as
well as white, for aid in all conceivable WAYS,
and has freely accorded 1t to them. From them
he has learned not only what the Star stated a
day or two since with reference to John s.
Barbour's recent declaration of an entire want
of confidence in the ability Of the rebel leaders
to continue the war efficiently next spring, but
also that his brother, MI. James Barbour, at
least year ago, bitterly reproached himself to
friends with having permitted the ordinance OF
secession to pass the Virginia Convention, after
declaring that in SO doing he did that over
which he should mourn throughout the bal
ance of his life.
As for Mr.. John S. Barbour's prudence and
observation-disclosures may fairly disagree upon
it, The Fart he took with Mr.. Henry Danger
field, Col. Talliaferro, Henry A. Wise and
others in plan ming and carrying out the rebel
raid on Harper's Ferry, proves, perhaps, his
cunning, certainly not his prudence and dis
cretion;'' as 1t has ended in the utter destruc.
ton Of all the interests that had been commit.
ted % his charge as President Of the Alexandria
and Orange Railroad, which he prostituted on
that occasion and others, to do the work of
treason. He has much indeed to ans wer for,
as one Of the authors OF the existing condition
of Virginia from Alexandria to the Rapidan.
We may not improperly add that secession
lists such a. those responsible for the current
tone and temper Of the Alexandria Gasette-if
they continue much longer their labor Of indi-
rectly bolsterng the cause Of the rebellion
will find themselves dealt with as they should
be-as public enemies. The day is fast ap-
preaching when they will be compelled either
to take the oath Of allegiance to the United
States Government (and to keep II, under PEN
atty Of prompt and proper punishment for fall
ing to do SOY or to 90 South and fight in the ranks
like men for the cause they strive to sustain
under the immunity they yet enjoy from the
country they betray.