The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-20

10ent AntlmateS zen. Davis Must he
| Tried for Treason.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.-Judge Ward,av AL.
| fred Huger and Col. Atkins, of South Carolina
this afternoon had an interview by appointment
| with the President, and were ACCOMPANIED nv
| w. III. SescOtt, who is here on business for the
executive Of that State.
The President, after the customary prelimin
aries of Introduction, invited them to be seated
when at once conversation commenced by
Judge Wardlaw informing him they were
delegation from the State Convention of South
Carolina, sent hither to present certain memo
ly.considered In the Convention.
The President inquired the object of the me.
MORALS.
Judge Wardlaw informed him one was in be-
half of JEFF. Davis, A. II. Stephens, Trenholm
and Gov. McGrath. He said they had under
stood that by late interference of the Presi.
dent, Messrs. Stephens and Trenholm had oil.
ready been released from close confinement
and permitted to return to their homes. He
would ask for Gov. McGrath either pardon
or that he might be released on parole, and
they could assure the President no harm would
result from 1t.
The President replied all could not be .par-
doned at once, the business must be proceeded
with gradually. A discrimination was neces-
sary as we went along.
Judge Wardlaw replied that the delegation
presented no such argument as that.
The President said, sometimes the peculiar
localities have much to do with parties, like
many other things in human affairs. If we
know ourselves, we want to do what is best
and just, and to show proper degree of hui
manity on the part of the Government"
Judge Wardlaw remarked that they had not
come hither to express their own hopes and de-
sires, but as delegates from the South Carolina
Convention, and to present the memorials of
that body in q formal manner
The President-"We will. gentlemen, extend
all the facilities and cOurtesies which the ques-
tions require. We would prefer to pardon
twenty men rather than refuse one"
The Judge replied, they did not design to
say anything further in reference to Governor
McGrath. but they believed much good would
result by the exercise of executive clemency
toward him.
Col Huger said, eff we could get Gov Nc
Grath paroled it would be great relief"
Judge w. thanked the President for having
released Stephens and Trenholm.
The President-"We have that far, then, an
ticipated your memorial 2"
Mr.. Hughes said that Mr.. Trenholm was one
of their most useful men, and there was no
doubt he would exert all his power with the
view to restore harmony between the State and
Government.
The President said he understood it was So
adding that there ought to be some test to de.
termine the power of the Government to pun.
ish crime. The laws are violated and an at
tempt made at the life of the nation. There
should be q vindication of the Government and
Constitution, even If the pardOning power
were exercised thereafter. If treason has been
committed, it ought to be determined by the
highest tribunal, and the fact declared. If
clemency should come afterwards, there was
n ma in0 nr ind in rruSn hat
duty.
Judge w. remarked that they were well
aware of that.
The President resuming said, There may be
some unkind feeling on this subject, but it does
not exist to any great extent"
Judge w. said although not instructed by the
Convention. he was induced to ask whether
Mrs. JEFF. Davis, who is now confined to Gcor-
gia, 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
commendable. The tone of one of them, how.
ever, was considerably improved but others
clemency.
Judge W. interrupted by saying she was a
woman of strong feeling.
The President" Yes, suppose she is wo-
man of strong feeling and temper. There is as
much magnanimity and independence and no.
put the government at defiance. True mag
nanimity takes things as they are and when
taken in the proper way, / disconnect them
from humiliation. Manifestations of temper
and defiance do no good"
Mr.. Huger remarked that they had deep
consciousness of the truth OF all the President
said.
The President, resuming, observed that 'the
character of an individual may characterize a
nation, which is nothing but Az aggregate of
individuals. and when the proper spirit is man
itested can act tremendously The man who
goes to the State is almost dignifed by his
hearing. 1t lifts him above humiliation. In
these cases. gentlemen. we do the hest we can
While there re- sympathy. there is public
judgment which must be met, but assure You
no disposition exists for possession of thirst
for blood"
Judge w. remarked that the tone of the
newspapers was favorable. and different from
what it was. BE then asked if the President
had seen copy of the amended Constitution
"Of course he had seen it. We accept it,"
He felt perfectly satisfied that the person and
property of the negro will be projected, and
spoke of the great difficulties of remunerating
labor. &c. The President thought many OF
the evils would disappear if they inaugurated
the right system; pass laws protecting the
coiored man, his person and property, and al
low him to collect his debts. he knew how il
was in the South. The question when first
presented of putting colored man on the wit
ness stand pade them shrug their shoulders,
but the colored mans testimony was to be
taken for what it was worth by those who ex-
anime him, and the jury who hear it. After
all there was not so much danger as was sup.
posed Those coming out of slavery cannot
do without work. They can't lie down in dis
sipation. They ought to understand that lib
erty means work, and the right to erjoy the
profit OF labor, and that the laws protect them.
and this being done, and when We come to a
period of life that men must work or starve.
the country will be prepared to receive sys-
tenn applicable to both white and black, and
be prepared to receive system necessary to
the ease. A short time back you could not en-
force the vagrant law on the black, but could
on the white man, but get the public mind
right and you can treat both alike. Let us get
general principles and and details, and colat-
erals will follow"
A conversation of some length ensued be-
fuo fho and Ina Va md