The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1865-11-01
Important from WashingtOn-0ur COnTen.
tloh's Deiegatlon's Interview with the
President. -.

tleI:s Deiegation's Interview with the
President. 81"
WxsH1xc7oS, October 13.-Judge Ward
law, Alfred Hugcr and Col. Dawkins, of South
Carolina, this afternoon, had an interview, by
appointment, with President johnson. They
were accompanied by W. II. Trescott, who is
here On business as Executive Agent of that
State The President, after the. customary
prelininaries of reception, invited them TO be
seated, when at once the conversation CON-
faenced by Judge Wardlaw informing him
that they were delegation from the State
Convention Of South Carolina, sent hithcr to
present certain memorials of that body. These
memorials had been carefully considered in
the Convention, snd he believed theystold ex-
actly the truth.
The President iraaired the object Of the
memorials. Judge Wardlaw informed him
that one Of them was in behalf Of Jefferson
Davis, A. H. Stephens, George A. Trcnholm'
and Governor Magrath. He said they had
understood that, by the kind interference Of
the President, Messrs. Stephens and Tren-
holm had already been released from close
confinement and permitted to return TO- their
homes. He'would ask for Governor Magrath
either pardon or that he might be released
on his parole They could assure the Presi-..
dsnt that no harm would result from such an
act of cIemency. The President replied that
all could not be pardoned at once. The husi-
ness must be proceeded gradually, and an ef-
fort made to execute the laSF. A discrimina-
tion was necessary as VIC so along. It \ asa
two common expression, by way ofargument
for clemency, that such one had been par
doncd, and that he vas just as bad as another
who had not. Judge Wardlaw replied that
the delegation presented no such argument as
that. The President said sometimes the Pc
culiar locality had much to do with paFdons.
Like many other things IN human affairs We
cannot have fixed rule. Much depends on.
discretion and circumstances. If we know
ourselves, we want to do what is best and
Just, and to show proper degree ofhumanity
on the part of the Government.
Judge Wardlaw remarked that they had not
come hther to express their own hopes and
desires, but as delegates from the Soath Caro-.
lima convention, represent the memorials Of
that body ina formal manner. =. -
The Fresident-1IFe will, gentlemen, eztelid
the facilities and ciyilities which the questions
require. We woald prefer to pardon twenty
u.en than refuse one. Judge Wardlaw re-
died that they. did not design to sayanything
With reference to Governor MagrGth, further
than that they believed mrch good would re-.
suit by the exercise of oftheExecutive clemency
toward him. :. --
Col. Dawkins said if he could get Governor
Magrath pardoned, it would be a great relief
to him at the present time. s
Judge Wardlaw thanked the President for
havag released Messrs. Stephens and Tren-
holm. ..s...... .--
The Presidcnt-We have that far, then, an
ticipatedyour memorial. y >
Mr.. Huger said Mr.. Trenholm was one of
the most useful men, and there was no doubt
he would exert all his power with a view to
entire harmony between the State and the
Government.
The President replied that he understood
thai was so adding: Iftreascn has been COM
mitted; there ought to be some test to deter
mine the power of the Government to punish
the crime. He was free to say that it was
not a mere contest between political parties
or Question as to de facto Governments
Looking at the Government as We do, and the
laws violated in an attempt at the overthrow
of the nation, there should be a vinditation Of
the Government and the Constitution, even
if the pardoning power were exercised there
after. IF. treason has been committed, it
ought to be- determined by the highest tFisn
nal and the fact declared. even if clemency
should come afterwards There was no NAL
ice or prqIalice in wishing to carry ont that
duty. Judge Wards# remarks that they
were we'll aware Of that. - - -.
Tho President, resuming, sald' Ttcfo may
be some unkind feelings on this subject but
It did not exist to a great extent. -..
Judge Wardlaw said: Although not. IN
structcd by the Convention, he was induced
TO ask whether Mrs Jefferson Davis, who was
now tcuEned to Georgia, could not cross into
! South Caroina to see her friends. The Pres
ideut replied that he had received letters from
Mrs Davis, bat they were not very comuen-
dabie. The tone Of one ofsthcm, however,
VI, was considerably improved. but the others
were not ofthe character. becoming ono ask
inglenieney: ~, = T. =. 49,.
Judge Wardla4. interposcile by saying that
/ she was a woman of strong feelingse .
The President replied: Eyes; suppose
she is a woman of:strong feelings and temper
/ but there is no intention to- pcrsecute her'
There is as much niaguanimity and nobieness
Of spirit in submitting as in trying to put the
! Government at 'defahce:'' s@... =. q"
- Il ~ had n deer