The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-25
VOLUME X. NO. ~.
Tie Right View of the Washington
Tragedy.

the Baptist Christians, discussing lho
Sick les case, says:
"We regard them all, in the different
parts they acted 10 this tragedy OF blood,
as alike guilty OF the gravest OF crimes, {
and AS alike meriling the condemnation
both of heaven and earth. Ii there is
any distinction to be allowed between the
three, il is not in favor OF the assassn's
victim, but rather for the young and gid.
DIV wire-married at sixteen, with no
preparation Tor her position; the spoiled
child oI socicty--the pupil as well as the
companion OF a liberline husband; the
unmatched and uncounselled belle at
Washington, 1attered by American sena-
tors and foreign diplomats; star In those
dtssulute circles OF fashion at our national
capital, in which is often represented the
lbertinism Of every country in Chrlsten'
dom.
I'VE concede that nothing is to be said .
in yndicaton OF Key. He was deIber-
ateIy and constantly in the commission ol
crime which is in direct violation OF the
highest aud most sacred laws. He de- |
served his fate, or any other fate to which
public Justice could have consigned him,
and we have no tears to waste on him.
But all This has little to do with the justi-
tication Of Sickies. lie. is none the less a
murderer because his victim deserved to
die. He who with deliberate malice, and
by his own hand, takes the life even of
the worst of men, has, in SO doing, smit-
ten down every interest OF justice and OF
right which society was organized TO pro-
tect. lie has pushed aside the institu-
tons which civilization has reared for its
defence; he has bidden defiance to the
public reason and conscience, and with no
sanctions but barbarism and brute force,
has sent to the retributions Of eternity a
ielow-man, undelended, untried and un.
condemned.
"Now, disguise 1t as we may-call il
honor, manhood, -vindica;iOu, or by
any other name we please--it is nothing
but brutal murder. an act of selfish ven.
Geancc in defiance oflaw, an oulburst Of
ferocious barbarism in The midst Of civii-
zatioD. There is nothing to justify it, and
nothing, that we can see to palllate 1t. 1t
was OF itself, to say the very least, as
great wrong upon society as that which
it was designed 10 ayenge. 1t can find
for its sanction neither expediency nor
right, neither Christian conscience ncr
manly selfrespect. The original wrong
has only been met by another equally
great. With one flagrant crime has only
been associated second equally hagrant,
and two bad examples of lawless passion,
instead Of one, have been conspicuousIy
presented TO drmoralize and disgrace the
community. TWAS NO act Of seli.deience
nor has it the somewhat doubtful excuse
VI having been perpelrated IN an emer3en
cy which public justice could not reach
nor the SUN more questionable palIauoI
which belongs to the challenged duel |
was the deed of deliberate malice, how
ever aggravated The occasion Of that NAL
ice may have been.
"But il is minated, and even distinctly
asserted, in presses which we though
were champions OF a sounGer morality
that this act on The part oI SickIes, though
OF course unlawful, is yet ju,tiiabIe in the
Illuminating and distressing circumstance:
III which he was placed. The doctrine
however, appears to us 10 be monstrous
as well AS dangerous in the extreme. l
admitted, it will tend to annihllate, in eve
ny application tha is made of it, all tn
social Institutions that have been reare
for guarding the honor, the peace, or tn
rights, whether Of families or OF indiyid
ual,. Admitting that courts ahH crimini
Jurisprudence are wholly inadequate
crimes like thpt which has been her
avenged. crimes that violate the sanity
domestic life, and po,luto the hoiest rC
ltllons of human confidence and affection
yet We ask, Is there anything else to
found that is not equally inadequate
This wretched man has taken vengeanC
Into his own hands, and has wreaked
upon his victim in the fullest measure
merciless lerocity. But has he game
anything by so doing? What so!ace hI
it brought to his wounded honor or h
betrayed affections? Does he occupy ar
more desirable position before the publ
or even In his own estimation?
"These are certainly pertinent and il
porIant questions 70. those to consid'
who seek to justify or pahiate this Grin
What has been gained by it, either to
public. good or TO private happint
ana security? A guilty man has faIe
and he by whose hand he lel still suryiv,
himself guilty, wretched and ruined,
be haunted forever by the consequence
that one act of frenzird assassination.
That act has published his domestic di
honor, in all its details. 10 the four Gus
ters Of the world, and it will be INSOFAR
bly, connected with his name so long AS
lives; and this is all that the deed 1
done for him. Ithas given him no
dress; it has cast no veil OF silence a
charity over his ms(ortunes; it has av
Bened no sympathy for Innocent chilGl
whose Infancy has been blighted W
calamity; it has brought no remedy
alleviation for a single sorrow he m
endure, either as husband, q father
man,
-~----~-~~~~~~~-~~~~~~-~~--
FISAL DECISION IN THE GREAT ATLAN
Collision OAsE,-In 1852. il will Lo RENE