The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-04-09
A Thrilling Chapter Out Of the Past
Political History Of Kentucky,
Colonel ]. Stoddard Johnston's Account Of
the Negotiations for the Control
Of the Old Louisville
Journal.
An Overwhelming vindication of the Memo
ry of the Dead Journalist-The
Late George w. johnson.
Especial to the Courisr-Journal.I.

ing intensely interesting article from the
pen of Colonel ]. Stoddard Johnston, secre-
tary of state:
In nay absence from Kentucky for several
weeks past / have seen, in various papers,
reference to a chorge which has been made
In some quarters to the effect that, in the
early part OF the war. George D. Prentice
had been bribed with $500 in gold to
throw the influence of his paper, the
Louisville Journal on the Confederate side;
that he receivrd the money and en-
deavored to carry out his part of the
contract; that he wrote an article of
the character desired. which was put in type
and about to go to press, when the clerk.
Mr.. Calvert, notified Paul R. Shipman, of
the editorial staff, who suppressed the arti-
Gle, and without the knowledge of Mr..
Prentice, wrote and substituted a loyal arti-
Gle in its stead, which placed the Journal on
the side of the Union and saved Kentucky.
/ have not seen the various articles which
have appeared, either in support or attempt
ed confutation of the charge, and regret that
my absence has prevented me from sooner
discharging duty which impels me now to
ohOW WhC1Sih VIC Clol &c cCCulS W luc I'll uSt
to the memory of Mr.. Prentice. 1 have seen
but fragmentary statements and know not
upon whose authority the charge is made.
In what, therefore, 1 shall write, desire to
be understood as seeking to impugn no ones
veracity, but simply to give the evidence
which happens to be in my possession. do
not desire controversy wish merely to es-
fob1 oh no ruf cho1 70 ho
brief as possible, although the handling of a
subject involving SO many collateral points
will require some preliminary explanation
and application.
When, shortly after the firing on Sumter,
Mr.. Lincoln issued bis proclamation calling
for troops, no man in Kentucky ventured to
applaud the policy of coercion. There was
a strong Union feeling in the State, but on
every side the expression against the attempt
to whip the Southern States into subsection
was unequlvocal. The doctrine of an armed
neutrality was proposed by Mr.. Crittenden
and from being urged most strongly by the
leaders of Union sentiments, was taken up
and Endorsed by the Southern Rights party,
until Kentucky was apparently not only
united among her people in policy which
promised peace, but which it was claimed had
the sanction and guarantee of both beliger-
ents- 1t was of course delusive, and the mud.
die of September witnessed both beligerents
with b btIOuG IOOtuOlO on QeI SOIL, ana the
State in fair way to be ground beneath the
upper and neither milestone. Some of the
Union leaders began early to prepare in Sc
crecy for its overthrow, while the most philo-
sophie Southern men becoming satisfied that
1t could only end in disaster, began to look
out for some more permanent basis for
peace. Among these was George w. John
son, of Scott county, Kentucky, farmer OF
professional education, who, having several
times served In the Legislature, announced
early his determination never to fill an office
of profit, and declined nominations for
lieutenant governor and for Congress-the
latter frequently. He was a man of great
purity of character and large culture, with
abilities which would have made him con-
spicuous in any station. He was thoroughly
domestic in his tastes, of no military am
bition, non-eombatant from having. by an
accident, lest the use of one of his arms, and.
though man of practical turn in business
affairs, was essentially speculative in states
manship a doctrinaire in politics. Jealous
Democrat, intensely Southern in his views
and with remarkable personal magnetism.
He soon became convinced of the magni-
tude of the war before us, and its danger to
the liberties OF the whole country, unless
checked early The main expedient on
which he relied was negotiation and peace
able separation, establishing two confeder-
scies, upon the basis of free trade and alli-
ance offensive and defensive. Having been
in close association with him at the time,
knew his views well, and having his papers
authority before me of his action looking to
the practical adoption OF his idsas. Hesought
the cooperation of such men as he thought
would give strength to their execution, and,
among others, George d. Prentlcs. Prior to
seeking Prentice. he wrote letter July 2,
1861, to Hon. 3. F. Robinson, OF Georgetown,
afterward governor of Kentucky during part
of the war, warm friend though political
opponent urging him to throw the weight
of his great influence in this direction. A
copy of this letter in his handwriting is be-
fore me. Its length precludes its insertion.
similarity in argument to that to Prentice
given further on. refer to it to show the
general scope of Mr.. Johnson's efforts.
A few days thereafter he went to Rich
mond, in company with Colonel George
Hancock, of Louisville, and submitted to
President Davis proposition that commits
sioners should be sent to Washington to pro-
pose peace on the same terms The copy of
the letter to Mr.. Davis with the formal sug
gestions and arguments in the handwriting
of Mr.. Johnson, is also before me. What
success he mat with in this does not appear;
but 1t is known that he was received by the
authorities at Richmond with every mark
OF distinction and confidence.
He returned to Kentucky, reaching Louis
vile about the 21st of July, and, having
known George D. Prentice well for lone
time, though politically opposed to him
conceived the idea of endeavcring to enlis
him in advocating the same views proposed
TO Hon. Jas. F. Robinson. He confided hi
purpose to Colonel Hancock and Colonel A
Keene Richards. 1t was we'll known tina
Mr.. Prentice was an improvident mar
in money matters, and an obstacle
was at once presented as to his abil
ity to control the Louisville Journal. which
was owned by the firm OF Prentice, Hender
son e. Osborne. Besides not being sole Owner
of the Journal, Mr.. Prentice was known t
be involved in debt. 1t was therefore deemed
proper by these gentlemen, in considering
the endorsements by which Mr.. Prentict
was hedged, to remove whalever fnancia
obstacles might initiate against securing the
| influences of Mr.. Prentice and the Journal
/ became aware f all these facts few day
after the precise date of which / speak, beini
| at that time the near neighbor aud daily
companion of George w. JOHNSON. But, il
in addition, will state that within the pas