The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-07-03
About the Pardon of Jeff. Davis,

Rov. Paul Baglcy, who has interested
himself in procuring pardon for jeff. Da-
Yis, has given al account of his efforts and
rebuffs in the Chicago Tribune. JIo says
that with the knowledge that Governor
Vance, Of North Carolina, and tho signature
| OF Senator Sumner and other Influential
public mon to his application for pardon, on
the ground that he would consent to adyo-
cate negro suffrage ut the south, he cndeay-
orcd to induce jeff. Davis to consent to tho
same condition, and thereby secure his par
don. This Davis declined to do. Suisse
quently Mr.. Baglcy waited upon tho fallen
chief and solicited him to make application
for pardon, assuring him that he had every
reason to believe tho application would be
successful, 10 this Davis replied
clad you uttered these sentiments soiro
time ago, they would have put you in the
old capital prison. | fully appreciate your
motives, but you must be aware that | can.
not approach the executive with an appli-
calloh Tor pardon, as you propose. | cam
not even address the attorney general cA.
cept through the general commanding here.
NY case is entirely different from Vonce's
have had n hundred thousand dollars put
on my head, am now q prisoner subject 10
whatever the governor secs fit to impose
upon &c, and you must see that L cannot
sign the petition rs you propose, nor oven
discuss the natter
Mr.. BGglcy did not permit himself to be-
como discouraged in his sclfimposcd task,
Out immediately proceeded to make applca
lion to senators and others for their sigma.
lures to The petition for pardon, and en-
countcrcda series Of rcbutls that would have
thoroughly discouraged u less persistent
man. we quote from his letter:
Senator Howard, on tho subject, said
"Did you ever hear Of a man in such n CON
In Attl Il ill.,
he would? If Mr. Davis would 90 to worl,
and help us to give equal rights to the ne
groes and poor white people Of the south,
there Is 10 power inthc country that could
Keep him out in congress- but to tell you that
nc couldn't apply for pardon is nonsense"
EX-Attorncy General Black said at is
true ho could not directly apply to the
President, as you propose, because his
letter would have to be opened by tho At
torncy General but this is Il nero formali
ty."
Judgc-Advocate General Holt said: "Iis
application would have to be first submitted
| TO the General in command Of the fortress
but that would bc u matter of no dilicul-
ty."
MIR. GAglcy thcn made set at the prcsi
| dent, TO learn from him in advance if he
would pardon Davis if application for his
pardon was mnie, and, rs he says, satisfied
himself that tho President would risk re-
putntion, Impeachment, or, perhaps, lie
itself, TO pardon the chief the rebellion. and
was earnestly 3niuitvus o have him an.!.,
personally lovpnrUor. Mr.. Baglry's &C.
count ofhS interview with tho President is
a. follows:
President Johnaon said: "Air. Baglcy.
you must hH aware that you place me in n
very delicate position, TO request Of me
| before hand t" promise TO PARTON man
Who has never made application for par.
d0n.'
replied: "Whcu thc Lord sends me to
rchcllions mel, he sends me with certified
promSc that they viii apply for pardon
Choy shall haze it,"
| lie answered: "Wo hnvc made our pro-
clamation long aao, o,and Mr. Davis knows lis
I conditions"
| J. continued: "But he ilnnks his case
p"cniiar aud tina; hc can.o, approach the
president with an application'' y
| lie auswcrcd Ellis case is not different
from amy other, except that he is in prison,
and he ought TO have been tried long ago
We have urged it upon congress to try him,
and they have not seen lit 10 do so. -
that has power to try him -
lie said: ''Tbo supreme court has"
Ii was answered: "Tcchnicnlly it. has,
but actually it has not. The Conrcdcracy
is dead, and you cannot place it now at the
bar for trial. II has boon tried by tho God
ofbattlcs with n jury Off million men in
i'll arms, and will twelve men now reverse
tho sentence? Will they condemn it in the
person of Mr. Davis? IJe is condemned
already. But if he will accept the condcm,
nation by applying for pardon you have tho
power to pardon him"
lie replied: eff the case comes before
us shall act upon it according to the pow.
or that is given to me, irrespective Of the
opinion of any one. They may abuse me
IN the future, rs they have in the past, bu,
shall do my duty. But | will say this,
have no animosity against any man"
told him what Senator Sumner had said
about negro suffrage and Governor Vance,
and the proposition l had made to Mr.. Da
Wis.
Ifc replied: "Will negro suffrage heal
everything? VIII it put arms and legs on
our wounded soldiers? l do not mean it
Tor You, but for those people who think
negro suffrage will cure everything"
concludcd "Thcn will tell Mr.. Davis
that his case is not beyond the reach of
pardon, and encourage him 10 make appli-
cation" and left.
The above conversations, it will be oh.
served took place before the releaso of Mr..
Davis upon bail. Baglcy is still obtainnf
names to his petition.
VU ho po,J,,