Year: 1865

was now confined to Georgia, could moi
cross into South Carolina to see her friends
The President replied that be had received
letters from Mrs. Davis, but they were moi
very commendable. The tone of one oi
them, however, was considerably improved,
but the others were not of the character be.
coming one asking lenienoy.


Judge Wardlsw interposed by saying that
she was woman of strong feeling.


The President replied: Yes; suppose
she is q woman of strong feeling and tenn.
per, but there is DO intention to persecute
her. There is as much magnsnimity and
nobleness of spirit in submitting as in try
ing to put the Government at defiance.


Mr.. Huger remarked that they had a deep
consciousness Of the truth of all the Presi.
dent said. The President, resuming, OBJ
served that the character Of an individual
may characterize nation, which is nothing
but an aggregate of individuals, and when
a proper spirit is. manifested all can act bar
moaiously The man who goes to the stake
is almost digui6ed by his bearing. 1t lifts
him above humiliation. In these cases,
gentlemen, we will do the best We can =
While there was q sympathy shere was a
public judgment, which must be met l
assure you, gentlemen, no disposition exists
for persecution or athirst for blood.


Judge Wardlaw remarked that the tone
of the newspapers was more favorable, and
different from what it was. He then asked
if the President had seen copy of the
amended Constitution of South Carolina
OF course, he said, we accept emancipation.
he felt perfectly satisfied that the person
and property of the negro will be protected,
and he spoke Of the great difficulties of reg
ulatiug labor and restraining vsgraucy.


The President thought that many of the
evils would disappear if they inau ugurated
the right system. Pass laws protecting the
colored man in bis person and property and
he can collect his debts. He knew how it
was in the South. The question, when
first presented, of putting oolored man on
the witness stand made them shudder, but
the aolored mans testimony was to be taken
for what it was worth by those who exam
ined him and the jury who hear it After
all, there was not 80 much. danger as was
supposed. Those coming ont of slavery
cannot do without work. They ongbt to
understand that liberty means simply the
right to work and enjoy the products of
labor, and that the laws will protect them.
That being done, and when we come to the
period to feel that men must work or rstarve,
the country will be prepared to receive
system applicable to both white and black
to receive system necessary to
the case. A short time back you could not
enforce the vagrant 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 get the general principles,
and the details and calculations will follow.


A conversation Of some length ensued
between the President aud Judge Wardlaw
and Mr.. Trescott as to the Legislation of
the State necessary in reference to the con-
dition of the freedmen, and the scope and
consequences of the Circular No. Is, and
General Orders No. l45 of the Adjutant
Generals Department, relative to abandon
ed lands in South Carolina and other South.
ern States. The examination Of thesesub-
iects, it is understood is to be continued at
another interview


The President said We must be prac-
tical and come up the surrounding circum-
stances.


Judge WardIaw, Colonel Dawkins and
Mr.. Huger, all expressed to the President
their conviction that their State had &C.
cepted, in good faith, the result of the issue
which had been made; that the people felt
that the President had stood between them
and the harsh use Of. the power of the Gov
eruhent that they felt entire confidence
in his purposes and actions, and hoped, in
return to entitle themselves to his confidence
as to their feelings and actions. The
President replied that be was glad to hear
it; that wherever such mutual confidence
existed there would, he thought, be an
open road to the restoration of good feeling
and prosperous condition; and that if he
knew himself, and be thought he did, be
would recommend nothing but what would
advance their interests. So far from pan.
dering to or looking to future elevation, he
must be believed when he said he had no
eye, single, to such prefsrmeut If, be
continued, / could be instrumental in res
toring the Government to its former rela.
tions, and see the people once more united
and happy, should feel that I had more
than filed the measure of my ambition. If
I could feel that I had contributed to this
in any degree, my heart would be more than
gratifed, and my ambition fully.


Judge Wardlaw-Every man in South
Carolina would respond to that.


Mr.. Huger-Ija am sure there is on their
part no want of faith They deserve your
confidence, and am sure they will earn it.


The President expressed himself graft
fed with what had been said by these gen.
demen.


Mr.. Dswkins remarked that all South
Carolina reposed confidence in the Presi-
dent, and that the memorials presented by
the chairman of the delegation represented
the true sentiments Of the people of that
State, both in regarl to those whom they
wish pardoned, and the feeling and position
of South Carolina.