Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-05-21


that after general conversation with Col.
Forney and others, the conversation
turned as TO how Virginia and the South
ern States would go under certain con-
ingencies, and it Greelel's nomination
divide, the Southern vote with the Pres
ident.
Said Mosby-" Aud the South, holding
the balance oil power, has no choice be-
tween them. We shall 90 Tor the one
wc think will be a friend TO us the most.
You, Mr.. President, can afford to be
generous to Us. We laid down our arms
and surrendered TO YOU
The President responded that he was
kindly disposed toward the people OF tic
South, aud that if his administration or
acts appeared TO be harsh ~ uukind. the,
intended that they should onIy be just.
He was the executive of The will OF the
people.
The President remarked that when he
came in rs chief executive, hc had greaI
difficulty with Andrew Johnson, who was
continually asking when ;he tliuls OF con
tcdcrates Tor treason would commence.
IrepIied, said the General. no, until they
violate their oaths OF allegiance
/ Col MosbN related an amusiu. incidea,
OF how, alter the war, hi. boy Bcyely,
SIX Years old, came by his bedside aHd
prayed hard to send oil Johnson to the
devil
Secretary Fish then entered, and Col
MosJy remarked to Col Fomey that tn
Republicans would have TO take new
departure" towards the south. A,iudic
tive policy would destroy the amicaoe
feelings there, and Col Mosby believed
that the Republican parry would carry out
their policy towards tie south, il they
were sincere in bury ing the tomahawE
The President inquired OF the Colonel
what he though OF the Dolly Warden.
convention at Cincinnati, and Col MoShy
replied that he thought the convention u,
| Philadelphia would do much better The
election of Greeley would he the reopen
ing OF pandora box of evils upon the
southern people.
Greeley would be surrounded by much
worse influence than anybody else. Fol
his part he preferred the rule of the sol
dior to whom Gen. Lee surrendered his
sword than to = ianatIcal philosopher like
ancient Horace.
As to how Virginia would 90 he said
it depended on future events. Dan Noor-
hees says he don't think democrat will
be put into The field as u candidate, bnt
he wont vote for Horace. Were he 90 do
So, the old democrats in his dstric, would
hunt him out of the ground
Now. in my own district, said Mos
by, "there's Louis Mckenzie. eX.M. c.,
and a delegate to Philadelphia. He comes
out Tor Greeley. He Is popular ncgr
and may carry some ol them over TO !iop
ace; but think il would he u good cN
change ion Horace to have the darki'
and Won have The white people
President Grant remarked HAT the j.
sue between him and Greeley WAS mere
" personal one. and Col. Mosby >ai
that what made the administration unpor
ular in the south was the number OF car
pet-baggers there.
Col Mosby did not think the southern
ers would sacrifice single principal b.,
voting Tor Grant against Greeley. The
Col. said that he preferred military power
to any other, and Informed the Prcsideu'
that if the issue were between Gen. Gram
and Horace Greeley, he would supppr'
Gen Grant. He believed Virginia would
give majority for him He WAS certain
his district would If need he, hc (Mos-
by) would stump the State in Grants he.
half.
During the interview he touched on scv-
eral war incidents. The President inform
ed Col. Mosby that he came very near
being captured by him once when on the
Orange & Alexandria Railroad without q
guard.
Senator Lewis "And it might have
changed the results OF the rebellion"
Col Mosby-"Yes. and might have
/ been President"
Subsequent to the interview cores
pondent called on Col. Mosby at his hotel.
and asked him how he liked President
Grant
Hes n very plain man" said Col. Mos
by, lone don't feel small in his presence
| was very much pleased with him and
and my reception
Correspondent-"How is it down your
way between Gen. Grant and Horace
Greely ?"
Col. Mosby--'I think it best TO go for
President Grant. James Barber is for
him and Geo Payne and other eX con-
| federates
Correspondent-"How is it with your
friend. Governor Smith, Extra Bill ?''
Col MGsby-"Oh he's for peace"
Correspondent-"'Vha. is your opinion
-.....I.L,,