Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-10-20

He felt perfectly satisfied that the person and
property of the negro will be protected,
and he spoke Of the great difficulties of regu-
lating labor and restraining vagrancy, etc
The President thought that many of the
evils would disappear if they inaugurated the
right system. Pass laws protecting the col
ored man in his person and property and he
can collect his debts. He knew how it was
in the South. The question, when frSs pre-
sented, OF putting a colored man on the wit
ness stand, made them shudder, but the col
ored mans testimony was to be taken for
what it was worth by those who examined
him, and the jury who hear it. After all,
there was not 50 much danger as was sup
posed. 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 the
right to work and to enjoy the products of
labor and that the laws will protect them.
That being done, and when we come to the
period to tell that men must work or starvc,
the country will be prepared to receive sys-
tenn applicable to both white and black-pre-
pared to receive system necessary to the
case. A short time back YOU could not en-
force the vagrant law o4s tle black, but YOU
could on the white man. But get the pub
lie mind right and you can treat both alike
Let us get the general principles, and the
details and calculations will follow
A conversation of some length ensued be-
tween the President and Judge Wardlaw
and Mr.. Prescott as to the Legislation of the
State necessary in reference to the condition
of the freedmen, and the scope and conse-
quences of Circular No. Is and General Or
dcrs 145 of the Adiutant- Generals Depart
mcnt relative to abandoned lands in South
Carolina and other Southern States. The ex-
animation Of these subjects, it is understood,
is to be continued at another interview
The President said We must be practi-
cal and come up to surrounding circumstan-
ces. Judge Wardlaw, Colonel Dawkins and
Mr.. Huger all expressed to the President
their conviction that their State had accepted
in good faith, the results of the issue which
has been made. That the people felt that
the President had stood between them and
harsh use of the power Of the Government
That they felt entire confidence in his pur-
pose and actions, and hoped, in return, to
entitlc themselves to his confidence as to their
feeling and actions.
The President replied that he was glad to
hear it that wherever such mutual confidence
existed there would be an open road to the
restoration of good feeling and prosperous
condition and that if he knew himself, and
thought he did, he would recommend moth
ing but what would advance THAR interests
So far from pandering to or looking to future
elevation. he must be believed when he said
he had no eye single to such perfer,nent
If" he continued, II could be instru-
men al in restoring the Government to its
| former relations and see the people once
more united and happy, should feel that I
had more than filled the measure of my am
biton If could feel that had contribu-
ted to this in any degree, my heart would be
more than gratifed, and my ambition fully y
Judge Wardlaw. Every man in South
Carolina would respond to that.
Mr.. lluger.-I am sure there is on their
part no want of faith-thcy deserve your
confidence, and l am sure they will earn it.
The President expressed himself gratified
with what had been said by these gentle
men.
MIR. Dawkins remarked that all South Car
DINA reposed confidence in the President
and that the memorials presented by the
chairman of the delegation represented the
true sentiments Of the people of that State
both in regard to those whom they wish par
doned and the feeling and position Of South
Carolina.
The Washington correspondent of tho
Philadell ha Ledger writes under date o
Thursday:
Let me repeat prediction gave month
or SO ago, that the release of Davis is only f.;
question of time From sources of infor-
nation which cannot dispute, learn thai
the President has no idea of bringing him tt
trial, but as soon as all the States are in har
nlmious working order with the Government
the prison doors Of Davis will fly open, ano
he will be free man.
This, am assured, was the intention o
His Excellency long before the petitions from
the respective States We're poured IN for hi
release, and these, with the action OF the Mis-
sissipp, Alabama and Soutl, Carolina Con
ventions, looking to the same end, have
more than confirmed the President in his be
lief that the trial or further disgrace Of the re
bel leader is not demanded either for the colln-
trys good or the vindication of it's honor.