Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-19

delay.
STEPHENS AND REAGAN.
Alexander H. Stephens and Reagan are
at the Astor House. They have been Wis
tied to-day by large numbers. Those who
conversed with them say they expressed
union sentiments.
TEXAS.
A letter from Texas says: The State is
fast attaining its former authority. Civil
authority is resumed and the postofiices
have been opened.
Loss BY FIRE.
The losses on stocks by the fire last Mon
day night in stores No. and >, Bridge street
are estimated at about 100000. There are
indications that preparation had been made
by the incendiaries 10 include in this con-
fagration the Government establishment,
II, is and 10 State street, in the rear of
which these stores were located.
STRIKE
The journeymen shoemakers who struck
for higher wages have secured an advance
of 25 per cent. over the former rates.
LOOKING OUT.
NEW YORK, October IS.-The Harald's
Washington special says that Colonel II. S.
Holden, Colonel }. D. McGregor, Captain
Temple Clark and others, representing the
New York United Service Society, are at
Washington to obtain recognition of the
military interest in the distribution of Fed
eral patronage in New York.
ACTIVE.
Ameeting ofthe Corporators of the Nation
tiOnal Soldiers and Sailors Asylum is called
for tomorrow at the Smithsonian Institute
Thirty-nine members are necessary to form
a quorum. But few are in the city.
a CABINET SESSION.
The regular Cabinet meeting held to-day
was quite fully attended. Only one mem
Der was absent. Secretary Seward aud Sec
retary McCullOch returned this morning.
Like most Cabinet meetings held of late the
session was brief
Governor Hamilton, of Texas, has reeeiv-
ed from John N. Reagan an address to the
people Of Texas, which he sends to the Aus
tin Gazette for publication. Accompanying
it was a letter recommending it TO the CON
sideration of the people for its correct and
manly tone.
Mr.. Reaeaf recommends a complete ac-
quiescence in the new order of things and a
burial af the past.
2tRz' DEFENSE.
WARRINGTON, October IS-In his plea for
ueltu6t dDLdlu " lIL bbdltu bndb nt was De-
fore the Court to answer for all his official
and personal acts, and he hoped to show that
they were void of offense. He hoped not to
be held responsible for the misdeeds of
others. He did not ask for mercy but JUS
tice. There are three distinct parts of which
the prosecution and defense are necessarily
comprised.
LIST. Had he conspired with John wender
and others to injnre the Health and destroy
the lives Of soldiers
I'd. Was he the person officially RESPONSE
bic for the sufferings at Andersonville2
Sd. Had he committed murder or perpe-
trated any atrocities.
AS to the first there was no testimony to
substsntiate the charge of conspiracy. Not
one of the witnesses had heard him say any
thing indicating any knowedge of the plot
charged. No papers were found in his of
fee or IN the archieves of Confederaey to
show that sch conspiracy existed. Even
if the specifications Of conspiracy were true
there is no evidence that the suffering was
the result of a conspiracy.
Wirz argues that the Government does not
believe that a conspiracy existed, as it
struck off the names Of Lee and others who
were at first indicted with him. The only
testimony showing conspiracy was about
the expression attributed to Wirz, that he
front. He would refer to that elsewhere.
He could not be held responsible for any
sim ar expressions attributed to Winder,
Cobb and others; furthermore, if he obeyed
the ders of his superior officers he was not
resp sible for the motives that dictated
tho onorders. He further argues that he
sh Sc not be held responsible for the
crould condition of the camp, unwhole-
SO DIVIDED &C., and adduees the following
reasons
He was not responsible for the erection of
the camp as it was located while he was in
Europe, long before he assumed command,
and that the witness for the prosecution ex-
onerated him from completely in the camp
selection or overcrowding, and for the CON
dition of things in the hospital and stockade.
As to the charge of murder, he hoped to
show that he was not guilty, and that he
had done all in his power to alleviate the
sufferings of the prisoners. In thirteen
murders charged, no name, date, regiment
or circumstance had been mentioned in all
the testimony. Only two cases were
definitely fixed. These were the cases of
Chickamauga and VIM. Stewart With re-
gard to Chickamauga he would make the
following correct statement:
Hon the evening referred to an officer told
Wirz there was aman on the dead line jaw
ing the guard and creating great excite
ment. Wirz went into the stockade and
as ed Chicamauga what in HI he was
doing there. He said he wanted to be kill
ed. Wirz told him he could soon be killed,
drawing his pistol to menace him, and
frightened him back, and ordering the
guard to shoot him if he again approached
the dead line. Wirz went out, and he had
no idea Chicamauga's friends would allow
him to come near the line again. While on
the way to his quarters he heard the report
of a gun, and on going back he found that
Chiekamauga had passed the dead line, and
the sentinel had 0beyed orders,..as he had