Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-01
Important Testimony.

Lieutenant Governor JACOBS, OF hen-
tucky, who was kidnapped in his own State
and banished to Richmond, by order of
President Lincoln, has published card
denying that he has reported that there will
be a cessation of hostilities within two
months. He says he never used such Ian
guage, nor the reverse, which has been at
tribnted to him, that :" the rebellion cannot
be crushed" In reference to the treatment
he received at Richmond and the prospects
for conclusion of the war, he adds:
81 do not wish to do injustice to brave,
determined people, who, when base men in
my own Government, notwithstanding that
/ had fought and bled in defense of my flag
and the unity of my country, had me kid
mapped and forced within theirlines, treat
ed me with distinguished respect and kind
ness. Nor did l accept their hospitality
with a lie upon my lips,> that Twas not a
Union man. / never pushed my opinions; !;
nor did deny my principles when, acci-
dentally, the conversation would take that
direction, and was applauded for my can
dor. shall ever feel gratefully for their
kindness. A few words more. These peo-
pie are fearfully in earnest; they are not
suffering for the necessaries of life; they
believe they have nothing to hope from the
present policy of MIR. Lincoln, and that to
fight is gain. Unless the present policy is nra-
teridlly changed, predict a long, bloody and
fearful tcdr, TO achich the past has been but
child $ play. With craftsmanship and patriot
ism, under Gods blessing, we may yet re-
store that which is dear to every patriots
heart the unity and happiness of the
American people,"
The services of Lieutenant Governor
Jacobs in the field, to which allusion is here
made, and which were warmly commended
by Governor Bramlette in his letter to the
President concerning the case of Jacobs
and W0lford, are sufficient evidence to
candid men that he is as true Union man
as the country can furnish. He is doubt
less an earnest opponent of the radical
measures of the Administration, and has
spoken warmly in denouncing them and in
condemning the arbitrary manner in which
the civil have been subjected to the military
authorities in Kentucky. For this he was
kidnapped and banished. His illegal pun
ishment cannot efface the record of the
sacrifices he has made, nor the dangers he
has braved, Sin defense of the flag anduni-
ty of his country" How 1t should affect
the reputation of those who lawlessly pun
ished him, simply because he was an able
and fearless political opponent in State
where military force was substituted for
law, is question that those not blinded by
reckless partisanship will decide in man
ner not flattering to the President.
We have alluded to his Punishment, and
the causes for it, not because we wish to
censure the President, but to show that Mr..
Jacobs opinions about the rebellion should
have careful consideration. No Union man,
since the commencement of the war, has
been afforded as full and untrammeled OPP
portunities for judging of the temper and
intentions of the Confederate leaders as
Mr.. Jacobs in his sojourn in Richmond.
As an opponent of the rebellion, he could
note its weakness, while his friendly per-
sOnal relations with many members of the
Confederate Government would forbid his
prejudices as Union man from underesti-
mating their strength. His frankness in
avowing his principles begat confidence in
return. The fact that he had been arbi-.
trarily banished by the President commend
ed him, although Union man, to their hos
pitality. He was, moreover, Southerner,
in all save alliance with the rebellion, and
as such, was received as an open enemy,
but one whose character and associations
entitled him to confidence and respect.
These were yielded. They gave him every
facility for forming an intelligentjudgment,
and he has frankly laid before us his con-
cliIsiOns Il (hicd1O Times. -.,f