Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1865-10-26

Judge Wardlnw remarked that they had not
come liither to express their own hopes and
desires, hut as delegates from the South Cpro-
lima Convention. to present the memorials Of
TINT body in formal manner.
lnE iREsibEAr.-We will. gentlemen, ex-
lend all the facilities and aiviiities which the
question requires. We woull prefer to pardon
twenty men than refuse one.
Judge Wnrdlaw replied that they did not
design to say anything with reference to Gov.
AeGrath. further than that they believed
much good would result by The exercise of the
Executive clenencS toward him.
Col DRwton said: "If We can get Governor
,McGrath paroled, it would be gi eat relief TO
him 1T the present time"
Judge Wnrdlaw thanked the President for
having released Messrs. Stephens and Tren-
holm.
1nE PEEsiDEHr-We have that far an,icipa.
ted your memorial.
Mr. llug.r sail: "Mr. Trenholm was one of
their most useful men. and there was no duub,
that he would xcrt all hi. power will, view
TO entire harmony between the State and the
Government"
The President replied he understood that
was 81, and "dding.'if Il cuson hns' bsen COM
mitted there ought 20 be some test to deter.
mine The pa'wer of the Cove, ntnent to punish
the crine. lie " as free to say that il was not
mere contest between political parties or a
question us to de Jacto governments. Looking
ut tho Government as we do, tile laws viola.
ted, and un attempt made ut the life of a la
iion, there should be a vndicntion of the Gov.
ernment and the Constitution, even if the
rardoning power were exercised thereafter
II treason hos been committed, it ought to be
determined by the highest tribunal, and the
fact declared. even if clemency should come
afterward. There wns malice or prejudice
III wishing to carry out that duty.
fudge Wardlaw remarked they were we'll
aware of that
Inc PRESIDENT, r"suming. said there may be
eome unkind feeling on this subject, bu, it did
not exist to any great extent
Judge Wardlaw SAID; although not instruc
ted by the Conyention, he wns induced to ask
whether Mrs. Jefferson Davis, who was now
confined to Georgia. could not cross into South
Carolina to zee her friends.
The President replied lie had received let
ters from Mrs. Davis. but they were not very
| commendablo. The tone Of one of them. how.
ever, was considerably improved; but tho 9th
ers were not of a character becoming one
asking lenicncy.
Judge wardlaw interposed by saying she
was woman Of strong feeling
The Preaidert replied. "Yes; supposs she
is woman of strong feeling and temper. but
there 'r n" intention to persecute her. There
IS as much mngnanimity snI independence
and nobieness when favor is 10 he obtained as
IN trying to put it nt defiance. True ms.pa
nir,,ty takes thing, as they are, and when ia
Ken IN q proper way, disconnect them from
humiliation. Manifestations Of temper and de
fance do no good.D
Dir: Iiuger unmarked that they Ind tcep
consciousness Of the truth Of all the President
suid.
TIE President rtsurnng Observed the char
acter OF an individual may characterize the
patton. which is nothing but AN aggregate of
iRo,ilfnais; and when proper spirit is man
i'setcd''ail can act harmoniously. The man
wlH goes to the stake is almost dignified by
his bearing. It. lifts him aboya humiliation.
In 4iese cases. gentlemen, we will do the best
weEan. While there was .eympathv, there
TAs Pnblic Judgment which must be met !;
fout assure yor. gentlemen, no disposition
exists for Persecution or athirst for blood.
Judge Wardlaw remarked that the tone of
the newspaper. wns more favorable nnd differ
ent fron' what it wns. He then asked. if the
President had seen copy Of the amended con.
stitntiOn OF South Carolina ."Of course" he
, said, 1--WE accept emancipation" u. He felt per.
fectly satisfied that the person and property Of
the negro will he protected. and spoke IS the
great difficulties Of regulating labor. and of
restraining vagrnney, etc.
/ The President thought many ofIhe evils
would disappear II they inaugurated the right
systeu. Pass laws projecting the colored mon
in their persons and property. and lie can col
lect his debts; tie knew how it was ia the
South. The question: when fret presented,
of putting colored man on the witness. stand.
made them ahrug their shoulders But the
| colored m-i's testimony was to be taken for
what it was worth hy those who examine
him. and the jury who hear it. After all.
there was not 8" much danger as was supposed.
Those coming out Of slavery cannot do Without
wo'k. They cannot lie down in dissipation.
They must work. They ought to understand
that liberty means simply the right to work
aud enjoy the products of labor. anil that the
laws will protect them. hat being DONE aud
when we come to the period TO feel that men
must work or stsrve. the country will be pre-
Pared to receive system applicable ~ both
white and blsck-Prepared to receivs systeun
necessary to the case. A. short time back you
could not enforce the yagrant. law ON the black.
but you could on the white man: but get The
public mind right, and You can treat both
alike. Let us gst the general principles, aud
the details and collaterals will follow.
A conversation Of some length ensued be.
tween the President mud Judge Wardlaw and
w. W. Trescot as To the regulation Of tile State
necessary in reference to the condition of the
freedmen. and the scope and consequences of
the Circular No. Is and General Orders No
las. Adjutant Generals Depn stment, relative
to- abandoned lands in South Carolina and
other Southern States. The examination of
tife'e subjects, it is understood, iB to be contin-
ued at another interview.
Tie President said, we must be practical aud
come up to surrounding circumstances.
Judge Wardlswr Col. Dawkins, and Mr.
Huger all expressed TO the President their con.
viction that the State: had accepted il good
faith the result Of The issue which had been
made; tbst tho people felt that the President
had stood hetweeu them and harsh use Of the
power of the Government; that they felt en-
tire confidence in his purposes and actions,
and hoped in return TO rnlitle Themselves: to
bis: :elemency as to their feelings and sctions. 3
sa;sThs Pf.sdsu.sreplisd hs was glad 70 hear it;