The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-11
Interview Between the President and the
ex.Rehel Col MOSby

Special Washington dispatches give the de-
tails of an interview between President Grant
and the late rebel guerrilla Mosby. 1t is stated
that Immediately after the Cincinnati Conven-
ton, Col. Mosby wrote to Senat II Lewis of Vir-
ginia, that if President Grant wished to make
point with the Southern people, now was the
time to do it by pursuing a liberal course toward
them. The vote of the North being divided be-
ing divided between Greeley and Grant, and
the Southern States holding the balance of pow
er, the South would cast it in favor of whichev-
er one held out the best inducements by pursu-
ing a liberal policy in Southern affairs.
When Col. Mosby arrived here Mr.. Lewis
marched him to the White House, when an in
terview of two hours duration ensued
The Traueaers correspondent says that after
general conversation with Col. Forney and 9TH
ers, the conversation turned as to how Virginia
and the Southern States would go under GER
tain contingencies, and if Greeley's nomination
divides the Southern vote with the President.
Said Mosby-"And the South, holding the
balance of power, has no choice between them.
We shall go for the one we think will be friend
to us the most.
You, Mr.. President, can afford to be generous
to us. We laid down our arms and surrender
ed to YOU -. 49, Il r.s.
The President responded that he was kindly
disposed toward the people of the South, and
that if his administration or acts appeared to
be harsh or unkind, they intended that they
should only be just. He was the executive of
the will of the people.
The President remarked that when he came
in as chief executive, he had great difficulty
with Andrew johnson, who was continually
asking when the trials of confederates for trea-
son would commence. 1 replied, said the Gem
eral, not until they violate their oaths of allie
glance.
Col. Mosby related an amusing incident of
how, after the war, his boy Beverly, six years
old, came by his bedside and prayed hard to
send old johnson to the devil
Secretary Fish then entered, and Col. Mosby
remarked to Col. Forney that the Republicans
would have to take "new departure towards
the South. A vindictive policy would destroy
the amicable feelings there, and Col. Mosby be-
leved the Republican party would carry out
their. policy towards the South if they were sim
cere in burying the tomahawk. ss
The President inquired of the Colonel what
he thought of the dolly Warden convention
at Cincinnati, and Col. Mosby replied that he
thought Philadelphia would do much better.
The election of Greeley would be the reopening
of pandora box of evils upon the Southern
people. ,.s- ts. .vnrssr o Easse
Greeley would be surrounded with much worse
influence than anybody else. For his part he
preferred the rule of the soldier to whom Gen.
Lee Surreuereu MS sworn, Unan OF Idnaulcal
philosopher like ancient Horace ts.-.
As to how Virginia would go, he said it de-
pended on future events. Dan Voorhees, says
he don't think Democrat will be put in the
field as candidate, but he won't vote for Hor-
ace. Were he to do so, the old Democrats in
his district would hunt him out of the ground.
''Now, in my own District" said Mosby,
there's Lewis Mckenzie, ex-M. c., and a del
egate to Philadelphia. He comes out for Gree
ley. He is popular negro and may carry some
of them over to Horace; but think it will be
good exchange for Horace to have the darkies
and you have the white people," 49,
President Grant remarked that the issue be-
tween him and Mr.. Greeley was merely per-
sonal one and Col. Mosby said that what made
the administration unpopular in the South was
the number of carpet-baggers there -
Col. Mosby did not think the Southerners
would sacrifice single principle by voting for
Grant against Greeley. The Colonel said that
he. preferred military power to any other, and
informed the President that if the issue were
between Gen. Grant and Horace Greeley, he
would support Gen. Grant He believed that
Virginia would give majority for him. He
was certain his District would If need be he
(Mosby) would stump the State in Grants be-
half.
During the interview he touched upon several
war incidents. The President informed Colonel
Mosby that he came near being captured by
him once whep on the Orange & Alexandria
Railroad without guard. Esa fel
Senator Lewis-"And it might have changed
the results of the rebellion
Col. Mosby-"Yes, and might have been
President
Subsequent to the interview correspondent
called upon Col. Mostly at his hotel, and asked
him how he liked President Grant.
Hes very plain man." said Col. Mosby;
zone don't feel small in his presence. was
very much pleased with him and my reception
Correspondent-'s'H How is it down your way
between Gen. Grant and Horace Greeley?''
Col. Mosby-'T think it best to go for Presi-
dent Grant James Barber is for him and Geo.
Payne and other ex-confederates. % &s-N
Correspondent-"How is it with your friend
Gov. Smith, Extra Bill?"
Col Mosby-"Oh! he's for peace"
What is your opinion about
the political situation?" sssa
81 think it for the interests of the people to
go for President Grant. He could benefit the
South more than Greeley, because he would
have power in and out of Congress to do Dos
tive acts of friendship, whereas Greeley could
not" So v~E- s#-s .@'&
The Colonel was of the opinion that President
Grant may secure the votes of all the Southern
people if they are convinced that hereafter they
may have an equal voice in the government,
and that the policy of his administration will
be in favor of kindly relations between the Sec
tons, all the differences between the North and
theiSouth having been settled by constitutional
.<y..x1x 49,