Litchfield enquirer., 1865-10-19
.l6r. Johnson and the South

4 It VIII be remembered that q delegation was appointed in the South Carolina convention, to visit the President and obtain, if possible, the release of Jed. Davis and others. The members of the delegation were Judge Wardlaw, Alfred Huger and Col. Dawkins They presented themselves on Friday, and submitted their me- morials, which were in behalf of Jef. Davis, A. H. Stephens, Geo. A Trenholm and Geo. Ma grath. After some preliminary conversation, Mr. Johnson said that: :..----..--ss.s.=-
 Iftreason was committed there ought to be some test to determine the power of the govern ment to punish the crime. He was free to say that it was not @ mere contest between political parties, or Q question as to de facto govern ments. Looking at the government as we do, the laws violated and an attempt made at the life of the nation, there should be vindication of the government and the 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, even if clemency should come after ward. There was no malice or prejudice in carrying out that duty" "-0'5a o-
 This was all the comfort they received on the pardon question, and it is not surprising that they changed the subject of fconyersation imme- diately. This was done by Judge Wardlaws saying that, " Altb ough not instructed by the convention, he was induced to ask whether Mrs Jefferson Davis, who was confined to Georgia, could not cross into South Carolina to see her friends" The President replied thathe had received letters from Mrs Davis, but they were not very commendable, and proceeded to read them the following lecture on chivalry :: '
 "There is as much magnanimity and inde- pendence and nobleness of spirit in submitting as in trying to put the government at defiance. True magnanimity takes things as they are; and when taken in the proper way disconnect them from humiliation. Manifestations of tenn per and defiance do no good.n r2st ! 0Q
 The discussion of this topic was as unsatis- factory as the other, and the delegates made an other change of base. Judge Wardlaw spoke of the amended constitution of Sonth Carolina, and of the difficulties in regulating labor, re- stricting vagrancy, &e. The President seized the opportunity to open his heart on the negro question '+
 "He thought many of the evils would disap- pear if they inaugurated the right system. Pass laws protecting the colored 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 colored man on the witness stand, made them shrug their shoulders. But the colored mans testimony 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 50 much danger as was 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 enjoy the products of labor, and that the laws protect them. That being done, and we come to the period to feel that men must work or starve, the country will be pre- pared to receive . system applicable to both white and black-prepared to receive 2 system necessary to the case. A short time back you could not enforce the vagrant law on the black, but 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 de- tails anG collaterals will follow" Vi
 Tbe South Carolina Delegation doubtless came away wiser if not better for this interview; but all the comfort for themselves or hope for Jeff that they obtained vas not enough " to put
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