The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-09-09
LETTER FROM THE FEDERAL GAP
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LETTER FROM THE FEDERAL GAP
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,1sa WASHINGTON, Sept. 5th, 1865.
To the Editor Of the Press
The Wirz Court martial is still attracting
good deal of attention, and exciting much in
terest. Though of late the weather has been
very sultry and oppressive, the Court room has
been closely packed nearly all the time. Not
few Of the spectators who daily attend the
sittings of the Commission, have had personal
experience OF rebel barbarity, others have had
friends perish in the southern infernos, others
still are anxious to know the uttermost of a.
matter so intimately connected with our char
acter as people and part of the human
race, and all perhaps are more or less attracted
by that strange fascination which the horrible
in its direst forms exercises so powerfully.
Though the evidence is as yet exceedingly in.
complete, and no candid mind will hasten to
anticipate the decision of the Court, yet the
general character and style of this man Wirz
seems very clearly established; for though he
should succeed in proving, as he will doubtless
attempt TODD, that he held his position at An
dersonyille under duress, and did all that he is
proved to have done in obedience to strict and
stringent orders, yet, while acquitting him Cf
some share of the legal responsibility, we
could but feel that man with any honor or
humanity In his nature would have submitted
to the loss of all things, and died hundred
leaths, rather than act as superintendent of
an immense establishment for torturing and
5utchering helpless prisoners. The attempt
copperhead capital out of this trial, has, be-
ieve, sigIially and totally failed Since the ma
thetic appeal OF Wirz for aid in conducting bis
lefence has gone before the public, it cannot
5eitoO widely known that the government has
spared no pains or expense in procuring the
attendance of every witness the prisoner has
desired to appear for him. The particulars in
relation to the steps taken to bring these wit
nesses before the Court have already been
published in the Washington Chronicle. and
are circulating largely in the public prints, and
ought to enable all sympathizing copperheads,
who may be troubled in soul for their friend,
She late Jacksonville jailor, to assuage their
grief and dry their eyes. - - 'Ps =
With the coming OF Autumn the hot wealth
or seems to bave returned upon us in earnest
We are having, however, by way Of alienation,
numerous pleasant showers, which after a
month Of drought are very grateful. The most
Unhealthy season of the year finds the city as
IL prepared for it as ever. Aside from We
y general want of cleanliness public and pri-
gate, there are some abuses tolerated here,
which the honor Of the whole country is con-
,erned in removing IF the grim destroyer,
mat once again has reared bis ghastly form in
-sne East and has been stalking with rapid
tribes along the shores of the Mediterranean,
,hould come here, he would, / fear, find many
IN old score to settle. If the markets and
aaanbIes Of ANe0 York are euen now ripe for
he embraces of the plague" know not what
hould be said Of ours. sIndeed" says the In
egEigencer, in recent article, abiding to the
,ity market and the canal, "one's sanity might
Sc QUESTIONED who shod1d suggest that ss1ch'
sxecrable nuisances should be allowed to re-
main for a single season, ON the borders, not
70 say in the heart of even a barbarian city,"
aual talk against them, which talk has thus far
,roved about as efficacious in removing them,
3 the proclamations of the old Dutch Govern
}, RS of New York were, according to Knicker-
booker, in conquering their foes. They re-.
main, and people not a few live, year in and
gear out, close beside them, fact well calcu-
lated to seriously undermine ones faith in filth
and here they win remain, till Congress sets
itself about the needful reform, which, in the
name ofan that is decent, may it speedily do.
The Smithsonian Institute, or rather that
part which was consumed last spring, is rising
NEW, but very slowly. 1t is proposed to make
me whole building as restored, fire-proof, thus
aforlhg secureplace of deposit for the many
articles and objects of scientific value and Gu.
-ious interest belonging to the Institution.
Senator Fessenden has been in the city for
-ew days past. stte -nt ~ TSP.