Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-10-14
Visit oc n South Carolina Delegation 80 the
Esrcsisteut-PartiOsa of JEFF. Davis and
Others Asked Fer.

| Frederick Huger, and Colonel Dawllns, OF
South Carolina, this afternoon had an inter
view, by appointment, with President John
| son. They were accompanied by W. Fl. Tres
| colt, Esq, who is here on business as execu-
| tive agent of that State. The President, after
| the customary preliminaries of reception, in
| vited them to be seated, when at once the
conversation commenced by Judge Wardlaw
informing him that they were a delegation
from the State Convention of South Carolina
sent hither to present certain memorials o.
that body. These memorials bad been very
carefully considered in the Convention, and
| he believed they told exactly the truth.
The President enquired the object of the
memorials. Judge Wardlaw informed him
that one of them was in behalf of Jefferson
Davis, A. H. Stephens, George A. Trenholm
and Governor Magrath. He said they had
understood that, by the kind interference Of
the President, Messrs. Stephens and Tren-
| holm had already been released from close
confinement and permitted to return to their
| homes He would ask for Governor Magrath
| either pardon or that he might be released
| on his parole. They could assure the Presi-
| dent that no harm would result from such an
act Of clemency. The President replied that
all could not be pardoned at once. The bust
ness must be proceeded with gradually, and
an effort made to execute the law. A dis
elimination was necessary as we go along
1t was too common expression, by way of
argument for clemencv, that such a one had
been pardoned, and that he was Just as bad as
another who had not
Judge Wardlaw replied that the delegation
presented no such argument as that The
President said sometimes the peculiar locality
had much to do with pardons. Like many
other things in human affairs, We cannot have
fixed rule. Much depends on discretion
and circumstances. If we know ourselves, we
want to do what is best and Just, and to show
a proper degree of humanity on the part of
the Government.
Judge Wardlaw remarked that they had not
come hither to express their own hopes and
desires, but as delegates from the South Caro-
INA Convention to present the memorial of
that body in a formal manner
The President-The rule, gentlemen, OK
tend the facilities and civities which the qurs-
tons require. We would prefer to pardon
twenty men than refuse one. Judge Ward
law replied that they did not design to say any
thing with reference to Gov. Magrath, further
than that they believed much good would re-
suit by the exercise Of the Executive cemen-
cy toward him.
Col. Dawkns said--If he can get Governor
Magarth pardoned it would be a great relief
to him at the present time.
Judge Wardlaw thanked the President for
having released Messrs. Stephens and Tren-
holm.
The President-We have that far, then, an
ticipated your memorial.
Mr.. Huger said-Mr. Trenholm was one of
the most useful men and there was no doubt
he would exert all his power with view to
entire harmony between the State and the
Government.
The President replied that he understood
that was so, adding If treason has been
committed there ought to be some test to de-
termine the power of the Government to
punish the crime. He was free to say that it
was not mere contest between political par
ties Or question as to de facto governments.
Looking at the Government as we do, and the
laws violated in an attempt at the overthrow
of the nation, there should be Yindication of
the Government and the Constitution, even if
the pardoning power were exercised there
after. If treason has been committed it
ought to be determined by the highest tri-
bunal and the fact declared even if clemency
should come afterwards. There was no NAL
ice or prejudice in wishing to carry out that
duty. Judge Wardlaw remarked that he was
we'll aware of that
The President resuming, said: There may
be some unkind feeling on this subject, but it
d!d not exist to any great extent
Judge Wardlaw said, although not instructed
by the Convention, he was induced to ask
whether Mrs. Jefferson Davis, who was now
confined to Georgia, could not cross into
South Carolina to see her friends.
The President replied that he had received
letters from Mrs. Davis, but they were not
very commendabe The tone of one of them,
however, was considerably improved, but the
others were not Of a character becoming one
asking lenicncv.
Judge Wardlaw interposed by saying that
she was woman of strong feeling.
The President replied: .'Yes, suppose she
is woman of strong feeling and temper, but
there is no intention to persecute her. There is
AS much magnanimity and nobeness of spirit
in submitting as in trying to put the Govern
ment at defiance
Mr.. Huger remarked that they had deep
consciousness Of the truth of all the President
said. The President resumng, observed that
the character of an individual may charac-
terize matt on, which is nothing but an ag-
gregate of individuals, and when a proper
spirit is manifested, all can act harmoniously.
The man who goes to the stake is almost dig
nifed by his bearing. Ii lifts him above hui
initiation. In these cases, gentlemen. we will
do the best we can. While there was sympa-
thy, there was public judgment which must
be met, but assure you gentlemen, no dispo-
sition exists for persecution or a thirst for
blood.
Judge Wardlaw remarked that thet of the
newspapers was more favorable and different
from what it was. He then asked if the Pres
ident had seen copy of the amended consti-
luton of South Carolina. Of course, he said,
We accept emancipation. He felt perfectly
satisfied that the person and property of the
negro will be protected and he spoke of the
great difficulty of regulating labor and of re-
straining vagrancy, etc.
The President thought that many of the
evils would disappear if they inaugurated the
right system. Pass laws protecting the coli
ored man in his person and property, and he
can collect his debts. He knew how it was in
the South. The question, when first presented,
of putting a colored man on the witness stand
made them shudder, but colored mans tes.
timony was to be taken for what it was worth
by those who examine him and the jury who
hear it.
After all, there was not so much danger as
was supposed Those coming out of slavery
cannot do without work. They cannot lie
down in dissipation. They must work. They
ought to understand that liberty means simply