Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1868-01-15
RADICAL HrEANNEss.

i aFebf 9f sEt! haf--nuf3 b0a nssf4ssn. .4et
In the report of proceedings of Congress,
Dec. Goth, IN late Eastern papers, We find the
following: adi u iedf ar ~ f3 9.
Mr. Robinson presented the petition of Col Nagle,
an American citizen, held in custody in British
prison, remarking that he had been trying to gel
the attention Of the country and Administration to
the subject resolution requesting the President Of
the United States to take immediate action in the
case of W. J. Nagle and Jno. Warren, now in British
prisons, in order that new trial may be granted to
one. speedy release to the other, and that both be
liberated.
Mr.. Benjamin objected, and the resolution was not
received. RI at. s..sr4t,e ffae.ss s.r..5g .tsa.
That day Congress adjourned over to the 9th
of January, until which time the petition
would have to lie over under the rules. Mr..
Robinson, who presented the humane and ap-
propriate petition, is o Democratic member
from New York City Mr.. Benjamin, who OBJ
jected to the petition, is Radical member
from Missouri. Had the petition been for the
benefit of the most worthless negro in the
land, we may be sure that Mr. Benjamin would
have offered no objection to its reception But
it was for the benefit Of two brave and gallant
men, held in British dungeons, although Amer
lean citizens, for no actual crime. One of
them IS native born, but of Irish blood; both
fought for the Federal cause in the late civil
war; both are white. But one is a native
born Irishman. though now an adopved Amer
lean citizen, and both are of full Irish blood.
That is enough for Mr.. Benjamin, Radical. to
know, and for their great crime--in his eyes,
that of being Irish-he is disposed not only to
have them suffer and languish in British prison
cells, but to prevent any means, which Con-
gress can apply or further, to procure their
release. 1rishmen will not forget Benjamin.
GEN. Pores INvERACITY--The following
is an extract from letter before the Senate
Committee on Gen. Fitz John Porter's case,
which was written by Major General w. 3.
Franklin, Sept. 81, 1867, and addressed to
Gen. Grant. Gen. Franklin says:
saw Porter in Popes company the day af-
ter the latter's defeat at Bull Run, and after
wards, until we arrived in front of Washing
ton. know that they were ON very cordial
terms, and that Pope ON some occasions ad-
vised with him confdentially talked good
deal myself with Pope and think that If he
had had at that time any feeling that Porter
had acted badly, would have learned it then;
but had no suspicion that he felt agrieved by
anything that Porter or any one who was near
him had done, At Fairfax Court House, the
day that We arrived at Washington, noticed
that Pope was particularly in good spirits and
cordial with Porter. have, therefore, always
thought that the attack upon Porter was the
result ct aH aftettheught, and that the charges
were not original with Pope.
During the trial thought it proper to in
form Porter that Gems j. +. Reynolds, George
Fl. Thomas ard myself, would, if requested
90 before the court and swear that we would
not believe Pope or Roberts under oath. /
| had consulted Gen. Reynolds before made
the proposition. He consented to go himself,
and thought Gen. Thomas would have no hest
tation in giving such evidence. was myself
well convinced of Gen, Thomas opinion of
Pope's veracty from what had often heard
him say before the war. Porter declined to
call US up to give this evidence on the ground
that tho court appeared so well disposed to-
wards him, and his case was going on so well
that he did not wish 10 irritate the court by an
attempt to break down the evidence of the
principal prosecutors. The sequel showed
that lie made a serious mistake. 3s
The whole business seem to me like pros
ecuting attorney passing sentence upon pris-
pner in civil court, immediately after the
speeches of counsel think the fact that Mr..
Lincoln had only Gen. Holts abstract to guide
him in making up an opinion on the proceed
lgs of that court is enough to invalidate the
whole thing.
For my part. know that Porter was as
oyal rs the most loyal soldier now dead, and
hat no thought of treason or disaflect0n en-
ered his brain. He was victim to Popes
allure in Virginia, and it seems to me he has
'emained victim long enough. You will, in
ny opinion, do an act which will not be the
east among those which will make up your
anne, if you will lend your weight towards
living Porter an opportunity to retrieve his
haracter as citizen and a soldier.
RELEAsED.-Oxford, who as a pot-boy "a
ears ago shot at Queen Victoria in ST. James,
'ark, has at last been released from confine-
nent in the Criminal Lunatic9 Asylum, Eng