Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-04
Doctor Johann Jacoby.

From the Cincinnati Commercial.
The Prussian Government has hardly
made during the present war excitement
more grievous blunder than allowing
the commander of Koenigsberg to arrest
honest old DIR. Johann Jacoby for rails
ing his potent voice in the cause OF
liberty and of the right of nationalities,
which the great conquerors OF to-day, IN
the intoxication of their unparalleled
triumphs and victories, may perhaps be
prone to disregard; and it is not by any
means matter of surprise that the
whole liberal party of North Germany
should Indignantly protest against the
violence done to this good and great
man, and demand that he should at once
be set at liberty.
DIR. Johann Jacoby is an Israelite,
and one of the ablcst physicians in
North Germany. Twenty-eight years
ago, when all Prussia was at the feet OF
King Frederick William Nv, who was
then believed to be a ruler imbued with
truly liberal sentiments, DR.. Johann ia
CODY issued his celebrated Vier Fra
qen' {" Four Questions y book which
Shook Germany to its foundations, caused
the Liberal party to take heart and con-
centrate its forces, and paved the way
for the terrible commissions of the year
1913.
In that year, the great year. the year
which no German can call to mind with
out being moved to his heart Of hearts, DR..
Johann Jacoby was chosen a member of
the Berlin Parliament, of which he i'm
mediately became one of the leading
members and orators. Our readers are
familiar with the events of that momen-
tous year. After the stirring events
which took place during the month Of
March, in that year, the reactionary
party gradually took heart and, from
day to day became holder, the Royal
Court of Prussia was but too glad to
take advantage of the reactionary cur
rent and it left no stone unturned to
thwart the plans of the Democracy and
of the National Assembly.
The latter, at length, sent to King
Frederick William the Fourth deputa-
ton to demonstrate with him about the
reactionary and disloyal course he had
pursued for some time past.
King Frederick William the Fourth
treated the deputation of the National
Assembly with disdain and haughtiness.
He turned deaf ear to its entreaties.
Then DIR. Johann Jacoby advanced, and,
raising his right hand, Numbered into
the ears of the dumbfounded King the
noble words, 1T is the misfortune of
Kings that they never will listen to the
truth"
In lS49 the reaction in Germany be-
came all-powerful. DR.. Johann Jacoby
was arrested, and, after an imprison-
ment of several months duration, tried
for high treason. The jury acquitted
him, the people idolized him.
During the long, dark reign of the in
famous Manteufeel, DIR. Jaeoby, as we'll
as oil of his radical friends, abstained
from taking any part in the public affairs
of his country. But when the Prince of
Prussia became Prince Regent Of the
country, in consequence of the disgust
ing physical and mental disease of Fred
erick William the Fourth, DR.. Johann
Jacoby entered public life again and be-
came one of the leaders of the great
Progressist party.
The events of 1866 alienated him from
most Of his party friends. They Joined
the so-called party of the National LIB
erals, believing that Germany should first
acquire union and then liberty He held
that liberty should first be obtained, and
unity afterward.
And it is this conviction that has
brought the fearless, noble old man now
again into collision with the authorities.
Count Yop Bismarck has the power to
put an endto this disgraceful persecution
Of DR.. Jacoby. If he does not, Error
iare aliquis hostris er oSsibUS ultOrF