Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1865-10-26
Application for Mr. Davis Pardon.
VISIT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DELEaA
-, gIoN TO THE PRESIDENT.

.-ssI.-s,s.s ~ ~ s.-as
Judge Wardlaw, Frederick Huger, snt
Col. Dawkins, of South Carolina, Friday
afternoon, had an interview by appoint
mept, with President johnson. They were
accompanied by VIM. 81. Trescott, Esq.
who is in Washington on business as Exec.
atiye Agent of that State. The President
after the customary preliminaries of rscep
ton, invited them to be seated, when al
once the oonversatiorcommenced by Judge
,Wardlaw informing him that they were Q
delegation from the State Convention Of
South Carolina, sent hither to present GER
tain memorials of that body. These memo
.rials had been very carefully considered in
the Convention, and he believed they told
exactly the truth.
The President inquired the object of the
memorials. Judge Wardlaw informed him
that one of them was in behalf of Jefferson
Davis, A. Fl. Stephens, Geo. 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 Ma
.grath either pardon or that he might be
released on his parole. They could assure
the President that no harm would result
from such an act of clemency. Tbe Presi.
dent replied that all could not be pardoned
at once. The business must be proceeded
with gradually, and an effort made to exc,
-sute The law. A discrimination was neoes.
sary ss we go along. It was too common
expression by way Of argument for clemen.
cy, that such 9 one had been pardoued, and
that he was Just az bad as another who had
not. Judge Wardlaw replied that the del
egatiop 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 proper degree OF
humanity on the part of the Government.
Judge WardlaH remarked that they had
not come hither to express their own hopes
snd desires, but as delegates from the South
Carolina Convention to present the memo
rial of that body in formal manner.
The President will, gentlemen, ex
tend the facilities and civilities which the
questions require We would prefer te
pardon twenty men than to refuse one.-
Judge Wardlaw replied that they did mol
design saying anything with reference te
Governor Magrath further than that they
believed much good would result by the ex'
ercise of the Executive olemency toward
him.
Col Dswkips said-f we caH get Gov
Magrath. pardoned it would be q greatrelie'
to him at the present time.
Judge Wardlaw thanked the President
for having released Messrs. Stephens and
Trenholm.
The President-We have that far, then
anticipated your memorial.
MIR, Huger said, Mr. Trenholm was one
of the most useful men, and there was nc
doubt he would use all his power with {
view to entire harmony between the State
and the Government
The President replied tbat,he understood
that was so, adding: If treason has beer
committed there ought to be some test tt
determine the power of the Government t
punish the crime. He vas free to say tina
it was not mere contest between politica
parties or question as to de tacto govern
ments. Looking at the government as w
do, and the laws violated in an attempt a
the overthrow of the nation, there should b.
aSyindicasion of the Government and tn,
Constitution, even if the psrdouiDg powe
were exercised thereafter. If treason ha
been committed it ought to be determined
by the highest tribunal and the fact de
elsred, even if clemepcy should come after
wards. There was NO malice or prejudic
in wishing to carry out that duty. .ludg
Wardlaw remarked that they were all awar
The President resuming said There ma.
be some unkind feeling on this subject, bu
it did not exist to any great extent.