The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-30
RICHMOND, VA, June 81, 1874.

of the 26th instant, requesting reply to IN
Iuuiries which would ordinarily require time
tor reflection; but is have already given
much thought to some of the subjects en-
braced in YOUR letter, shall not tax your
patience by delaying my reply.
Let me thank you for the kind, and I fear,
undeseryed estimate Of my humble Efforts in
Virginia at time when our most SanSuine
friends were doubtful of our ability to put
the Old Dominion in accord with the then
ANTICIPATED incoming administration of Gen
cral Grant; and through you, the hundred
Thousand colored men of Virginia whom
you say appreciate my efforts III behalf OF
your race.
will endeavor to reply to your letter so
that it may be readily understood by the CO.
ilored people, and ut the same time remove
all doubts from the minds of any as 10 my
position with reference to questions likely to
be involved in the approaching congress.
sional contest in this State, ana II you VIII
pardon me will add, which are almost GER
tain to affect the coming presidential cam
paign. 1-..
tce 70 visit the Eighth district, and counsel
with the Congressional Convention as to the
proprety of nominating q straight-out Re-
publican.
Previous to my visit to Alexandria called
upon Colonel Mosby, and had frequent cor
respondence with him upon the subject. he
satisfied me of bis determination to give
earnest support to our Presidential ticket,
and of his desire to bring about reconcilla-
| ton between the southern people and Gene
raj Grant. After repeated and urgent Soll-
citations from me, Colonel AoSby declined
TO be a candidate himself; but expressed the
hone that he could find a gentleman Of simi-
lar views who would consent to run as an
independent candidate. Having decided on
the most available man, we urged the gen.
tleuan to-announce himself; but after much
hesitation he declined. Our party was
forced to make Il nomination, or surrender
without struggle. We then nominated
the ahlest Republican in the district, and
| we're as YOU know, badly beaten; but in
| making a nomination we gave opportunity
TO Colonel Mosby to make gallant and eff
fectiye fight for the Presidential ticket.
| advised against making nomination I'D
| 1872 and was anxious then for Colonel
| Mosby TO run as an independent Grant can
didate. | wish | could c0nScicntouSy re-
peat that advice now; but there IRE ISSUES
soon TO be met of grave importance to your
race. and which must give not only you but
every man OF your color much concern.
| OF some of these issues you make inquiry
rs to my views; you also ask my opinion OF
the proposed candidacy Of Colonel Moshy.
You shall have it
| Colonel Mosby and myself do not agree
POLITICALLY, farther than that we both support
the present Administration. Nor do en-
dorse all of his acts since he became so pow
erfuI with General Grant. But I am not
going to quarrel with Colonel Mosby for
either Of these reasons, nor do intend TO
be influenced by them in giving you advice;
but / prefer to be guided by higher motives
than either.
mind the most peculiar anomaly have ever
seen or read of, and I have often wished |
could be near him, that might learn of him
much of which l am now ignorant; aud |
confess my inability to instruct where l am
myself in ignorance.
The unqualified reputation Of our Re-
publican gubernatorial ticket of 1873, and
the earnest support of the Kemper ticket by
Colonel Mosby, and his still avowed sup
port of the Administration, are so contra
dctory and at such variance with each other
as to leave me in doubt where he could be
found if he should be elected to Congress.
The great questions to be seriously con-
sidercd by the negroes Of your district in de-
lterminipg whether they will or will not vote
: for Colonel Mosby are:
, First: Does be give support to the thir-
teenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments
e to the National Constitution?
Second: If Congress passes the civil
L. rights bill and the President sustains its ac-
, ton, will he stand by the President?
D Third: Is he the most liberal man in your
/ district to your people, and does he come
nearer the one you would prefer to represent
e you than any one you can possibly elect?
e If these questions can be atflrmatiVey an.
e lswered, | do not hesitate to advise you to
| support him earnestly, and, if possible, elect
:. him.
l have great admiration for the effort:
!. made by Colonel Mosby to affect reconciia
!, ton between General Grant and the south
: ern people, and whether through his infu.
: ence alone such an event has been brought
S about to some extent and will yet be per.
fected do not know. am with him heart
S and soul in such an effort, and believe that
). General Grant will be, in 1876, the great
q peace-maker between the two sections, and
!, the almost unanimous choice of both for the
{; next Presidency. As the pioneer in thi:
/; great movement, Colonel Mosby is entitled
+. to rank first.
| come NOW, Mi. DeChley, W gOui LuoSt
? important inquiry, concerning the civil.rights
q bill and the probable effect of its defeat upon
/ the colored vote Of Virginia.
I am fully aware of the dread with which
Ell most men approach subject so unpopular
7 as the one you have suggested, and the
! anathemas in store for the advocates of the
5 measure; but in public matters which must
z be discussed and decided upon, shrink from
/ no responsibility that attaches to every citi
zen of this country who may chance to be
in advance of public prejudice.
. l AN THEORETICALLY IN FAVOR OF THE CIVIL.
RIGHTS BILL, AND REGRET EXCEEDINGLY ITS DE-
FEAT BY THE LAST CONGRESS-.
So long as Congress-to protect their rights
, and lberties-feels called upon to legisEate
!; for any race; or any political party-to Sc
cure Yotes-appeals to the prejudices Of
} cogored men, just so long will the people Of
| the South be at variance and our section tore
:. by conflicts between the races.
; That we may haze peace and that an enc
7 to all class legislation may be reached, ano
that politicians, such as might name ID oul
own midst, may cease to ride into power OF
the shoulders of yonr people, want to SEE
!. the eivil.rights bill become law. Ii be
| Neved it would harm q single individual, ant
: that its opposers werea governed by an!
higher motive than prejudice, | would b