National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-10
Col, j. 6. MOsby.

WFrom the valley Virginian.
An illustration of the intoleraut and proscrIp-
tive spirit Of the Democratic party of Virginia
may be found in the recent history of Col John s.
Mosoy Probably no officer in the Southern army
from Virginia gained more brilliant reputation
q dashing cavalryman than Mosby-none won
more unfading laurels on account of daring
courage and unbroken success in nearly all of
his hazardous campaigns. A supporter of Doug
lass " $500 Union man from conviction he ex-
erted his influence to arrest the wild spirit Of Sc
eese1on that Was careering his State and SEQ
tion, believing that there were remedies in the
Union for all the Ills of which the South felt
aggrieved. But his devotion to his native State
was stronger than his attachment to the Union,
and when her authorities decided, against his
views Of expediency, to link her fortunes with the
Cotton States, in a combined effort to establish a
separate government, Mosby was one OF the first
to offer his services as a partisan ranger. His
daring and brilliant military services are part
Of the history Of that sangulnary struggle. He
a ad !; DUTY as ne understood 1t at the time and
In 1877, when the Conservative or Democratic
party Of Virginia took to its embrace Horace
Greeley as the exponent Of its principles and its
candidate for the Presidency, Col. Mosby, like
great many other Confederates, refused to sup
believed then and believes now that the south
had no truer friend than Gen. Grant, as Presi-
dent, and this would have been more signally
Illustrated II disposition had been manifested
by the people Of the State to give his adminstra-
ton fair trial. and live up to the Obligations OF
promised to accept Col Mosby himself pro Hsd
this. HIS support Of the administration was
honest, unselfsh and from a sense of duty It
fayors were extended to Vfrginjans iormer Con.
federates) through his influence Never asking
q position that he himself might be benefited,
yet many appointments were given to his
friends, SIMPLY upon his request and recon-
There was nothing in this that any fair-miuded
man could object and much In hat
which, if it had been generally adopted, would would
to that which now distinguishes her. Had the
same national spirit-the same loyal adherence
to me results Of the war,been more generally
sands Of intelligent immigrants, with their skill
and capital. would now be aiding In developing |
tributing their energies to the growth and pros
munities., Colonel Mosby saw, as every impair |
soaPS aht this
gtnis. 1t was what our obligations required Of |
Us, and 1t was lrseisely what was necessary to
build up the material Interests Of the old Com
monwealtb. $500
Instead Of the people, however, Joining in this
turned against Colonel Mosby. They pursued
him with vindicuve hatred and insane preIu-
dice such as had never before been directed
against any man. except in the case OF General
Longstreet, in Louisiana, and Governor Orr in
South Carolina. Although resident IN Viz
gina, with family and property located where he
had lived before and during the war, with all his
sympathies and affections for his native State
still warm and active, yet because from sense OF
administration, he was prescribed socially, his
business taken from him, and he absolutely
driyen from Virginia to seek, through his profess
sion of the law. the means TO provide the comforts
Of life for his children. He had large and lucra-
tive practice, but It all LEFT him. and for no other
reason than that he chose to support the laws |
and Constitution Of his country and the admins |
tTation that upholds them.