The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-10-19
Their IntercessiOn for JED. Davis and
Governor Magrath.
The Presidents Reply.


considered n the Convention, aud he be-
Hevei thew told exactly the truth
The President inquired the object Of the
mem rails.
JndFe WarilaW informed him that one Of
tbem was in behalf Of jefferson Davis, A. II.
stephens. Geo. A. Treu holm, and Governor
Mc5iraih. He said they had understood, by
the kind interference Of the President,
RIessrs. Stephens and Trenholm had already
been released from close confinement, and
uittsd 10 return to their homes. he
would ask for Governor McGrath, either a
pardon, or that he might be released on his
parole. They could assure the President
30 harm would result from such an act Of
clemency.
be parEoned at once. The business must be
proceeded with gradually, and an effort
made % execute the law A discrimination
was necessary as we 60 along. Il was a too
common expression by way Of argument for
clemency that such one had been par
doned, sud he was Just as bad as another
who had not.
Judge Wa-dlaw replied that the delega-
ton presented no such argument as that.
The President said sometimes the pecu-
liar locality had much 10 do with parjons.
Like many other things in human affairs
We cannot have a ixed rule Much de-
ponds on discretion and circumstances. If
We know ourselves we want to do what is
beet and lust, and 70 thow proper degree
OF humanity on the part Of the Government.
JUDGE WardlaE remarked that they had
not come hither 10 express their own hopes
snd desires but as del. gates from the South
Carolina Conventioa, 10 present the me-
MORALS Of that body in a formal manner.
THE PREsIDENr.-We wall, gentlemen, ex-
tend d the facilities and civilities which
the question requires. We would pre- er 10
pardon twenty men than refuse one.
Judge Wardlaw replied that they did not
design % say anything with reference 20
6ovrrnor McGraih, further than that they
believed much good would result by the
exercise Of the Executive clemency toward
him.
COL Dawtou said: "If we can get Coy
ernor McGrath paroled, il would be q great
relief 10 him az the present time"
Judge Wardlaw thanked the President for
having released MessFs. Stephens and TIen-
holm
I'M PhTsmtNr.-We have that far antici-
pat d your memorial.
Mr.. Hueer sad Mr.. Trenholm was one
of the most ussfui men. and there was no
doubt that he would exert all his power
with view b. entire harmony between the
Slate and the Government"
The President replied he understood that
was So, and adling, il treason has been com
milted there ought 10 be some test b deter
mine the power Of the Government 10 pun
ish the crime. He was free 20 say that n
was not o mere contest bstseen political
partics OF q quest on a. 10 de fdct0 govern
ineuts. Looking at the Governments as y e
dc, the laws violated. and an attempt made
80 the life ~ a nation, there should be O vim
dicatioE ct he Governments and the Consti-
tut on, even III the psrdoning power were
exerc! Ell thereafter. II treason has been
committed. ID ought 90 be determined by the
hiEhe-t tribunal, and the fact declared,
even 10 clcmeuey should come eiterward.
There was no ma ice or prejudice in wishing
% carry oui that duty.
Judge Wardlaw remarked that they were
well awere VI that.
The President, resuming, said there msy
BE- some unkind feeling on This subject, but
it did not exist 10 any great extent.
Judge Naidlsw said, although not in
siructed by the Convention, be was induced
o. ask whether Mrs. Jeilersen DAVIS, who
is u0W confined 20 Georgia, could not cross
into South Carolina to see her friends.
The President replied hc had received
letters from Mrs. Davis, but they were not
very c0mmcndable. The tone Of one Of
then, however, was considerably improved;
bui the oihe.s were not Of a character be-
coming enc ssking leDitncy-
Judge WaTdlaw intcfposed by saying she
was o woman II strong feeling.
The President replied. d" Yes I suppose
she Is a woman of strong feeling and TEN
per. hut there is no intention 10 Persecute
her. There Is o. much magnaumity and
Independence and noblensss when favor Is
20 be obtained as 10 trying to put il ct de-
huucc True mngnanumity takes things as
they are. and when taken IN proper way,
] disconect them from huuilistien. Man
iicstaiious Of temper and defiance do no
good.
Air. Hurer remarked that they had deer
~an-riou-uess Of the truth Of sll the Presi-
dent said.
ur resident rctumiug, observed the
character of an individual may character
iae the nation, which is nothing but an ag
prernte 0f individual. ard when proper
stir.t Is manifested. all can act harmoni-
ously. The man who goes 20 the stake is
almost dienided BY his bearing. lt lifts
hun shove humiliation. 10 these eases,
gentlemen. we viii do Ike best we can.
while there was sympathy, there was a
public Judgment which must be met; but !
assuic you, gentlemen, DO disposition eX-
jets Ger per ecuiian % thirst for blood
Ju-ce Ward aw remarked that the tone
uithc newspapers wac more favorable end
different from what it was. He then asked
b the President had seen a copy Of the
amended constitution Of South Csrolina.
g. Ot courfe." be said, we accept cmRnci-
patton" he ielt perfectly satisfied that the
person and property OF the negro viii be
protected, and poke Of the great dihiculties
ofIegulating iabof, aud Of restraining va
trancy. etc.
The President thought many Of the evils
would disappear IL they inauguraied the
right system. Pass laws protecting the
coiored men 10 their Tersons and property,
and he can collect his debts He knew how
itNssi in the south This question, when
hrst presented, 81 putting colored man 90
the witness stand, made them shurg their
shoulders. But the colored man's testimony
was 10 be tsken for what it was worth 10y
ihvse who examine him, snd the jury who
hear a. AMER all, there was mos 30 much
danger us was supposed. Those coming
out oi slavery cabuet DO without work.
They canuUt De down in dissipation. They
mus work They ought TO understand that
liberty means simply the right TO work and
Co enjoy the products OF labor, and that
abe laws viii protect them. That being
done, aud when We come TO the period %
ieei that men must work or s'arye the
country will De prepared 60 receive "a sys-
trm uVpIicuhlo 90 18th white aud black
prepared b. receive system necessary 20
abe casC A short time hack you could not
enlorcc the vagFuut law on the black, but
you ould on thc white man; but get the
N'AtNIlN AAlNANNA o. NlA NAfN faN AaNaA ANln
ALIKE. Let us act the general principles.
nud she dgtsis and collatcrals will follow
A 60 Verssticn of some length cnsued be-
tween the Presidentaad Judge War3law and
~. rrc-cot a. 60 the regulation q the
Ststc necessary In reiereuee 10 the condition
of the free men. and the scope and conse-
queuces If the Circular No. IS and General
order No. las, Adiutani Generals depart
m Mt. To utive Go abandoned lands ina South
Carolina and other southern States. The
examination II these subjects, q u under
siroi. B. 90 be continued a. smother inter
view.
Tho Pres dent said. We must be practical
snd coms up 20 surrounding circumstance-.
Judge v ard aw. Colonel nawkius, and
Mr.. Huger ell expressed 10 the President
their conviction that the State had accepted
In =, a faith the result Of the issue which
had been made; that the people ielt thsa abe
presideut had stood between them and
harsh usr az tne. power oi the Government.
thstt hov De- entire confidence Ia his pur-
nose aud actions. and hoped ia r,tufn 60
,utitle themselves 90 bis clemeucy a. 10
The feelings aud ac ions
The Pies dent replied he was gla 20 hear
ii, that wherever snch mutual confidence
existed there would. be- thourhi. b. en- omen
rod o. the restoration of COED feeling, aid
uro.ueruus cnniitiou, amt ii be knew him-
-slf aud he thought he did, he would rceain-
mend nothing bu- what would sdyuuce thei
interests - Ter from pandcriuU or looking
for future eievston. be must be believed
When he said BE- had no eve single 10 such
p-efrrmeut &c" be coniintnued. 3.
,urIi b. instrumental ia restoring the Gov
eminent o. is former relations, aud see the
naople once more uuited and happy.
stonld feel that had more than filled the
measure Of my ambition. 4 rouid feel
thai he'd contributed 10 this in any degrfe.
NV heart would b. more than gratihe1, ana
nav ambition full.
Judge Wardlaw. Every man 10 Spuih
Csrol.na would respond 10 that
Mr.. Hurer. 81 n sure th,re Is % Their
p-rt DO tuuic faith. They deserve your
confidence, and ] am sure they viii earn
H."
The Pro sident sxp PRESSED hinse'f grati6ed
With what had been said by these gentle
men.
NJ. naWkins remarked that all South
Carolina rePosed conddenee IN the Fresi-
I u. rrHr me- I'D ~