The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-04

and union he returned the ring broken be re-
tualy ever to be repaired and while he harborcd feel
ngs Of resentment he was unalteraby determined
to see her moro.
RELIGIOUS VIEWS ON THE RECENT TRACE
DY IN WASHINGTON.
From the New York Evangelist, March 81
THE TRAGEDY AT THE CAPITAL.
Before this paper will into the hands of read
ers they will have seen in the daily press and have read
startled the city Of Washington last Sunday Philip
ton Key the United States District Attorney for the Dis
rict OF Columbia was shot dead in the street Daniel
Sckes, member Of Congress from this city The cha
acte Of the parties the place which the Of the
encounter the DAY which took place-a will serve
to fix attention on this dreadful deed. Mr. Key
officer Of the government and connected with families Of
the highest respectabity in the neghborng city Of Bat
father the late Francis Key, LAWYER of Baltimore
who was distinguished not more by his professional at
ainments than BY his high character as q man and
Christian. He was also known writer having been
the author Of the national song "Thc Star Spangled Ban
don, at the time Mr. Buchanan was Minister at that
Court, and was now prominent member Of Congress.
street. and near the Presidents mansion and ON the
peaceful Sabbath day Thus ut once was Gods holy day
ehled with brutal passions our national legislature was
dgraced and the streets Of capital stained with blood
The circumstances which led to this fearful deed only
add to the universal feeling Of horror While they take
from the act the character Of deliberate murder show
ing it to have had terrible provocaton they only make
turn away with oathing and disgust from the social
voked this bloody revenge was scandaious intrigue be-
tween Mr. Key and the wife Of Mr. sckles-a quilt which
was the subject Of suspicion but which was full
~ proved and finally confessed st1ng by this sudden
revelation, II may well be imagined that of high
spirit should be driven to the verge Of madness, and
when after this disclosure, he the seducer pass
fore his door, and his handkerchief signal for
another meeting Il Is not surprising that his impatenco
mSa be confessed that the prouocahion beyond
almost any poacer Of vesistance. Such wrong Is made
1S s 1 ssa no s a ssssss" a 'f u1 9a1
society prescrbes some penalty for invading the sancty
Of ssr' home which shall be a, to ne
shall be moro swift and certain, men will
take law into their own hands Who can expect =
man, whose blood is burning with conviction OF
household disgrace to wait the slow process Of the law
TO wait for months or years-al this time, perhaps,
have the finger Of scorn pointed at hs and at per-
hsps to have the destroyer Of his peace punished by pal
try fne' No. until the seducer is not only punished but
punished way to nfct disgrace upon him-imprison
ed dressed feon put the pllory or subjected to
some ienominious punishment which shall brand him as
dishonored man-such tragedies will occur.
But while such outrage ones domestic peace NAV
excuse natural violence and fury and even in some de-
gree paliate and extenuate sudden act Of retaliation
by means justifes such deed this In the eye Of
God this wretched Ia guilty of his brothers. blood.
Men may applaud his spirit in taking such savage
answers the voice Of Cod which tells him that his
hands stained with crime. He has sent fellow
quial BY court no approval BY the code Of honor win
ever wash away the bloody stain.
When such horrd tragedies occur, IL is not merely the
law SeS n L 81 su society se show that
beneath. The laws Of honor utterly impoent 70
strain the passions Of men, Probably many who will ap
Ssy e OF The
another in taking human e They justify this swift re-
vepge when they have no principle Of religion and no
wrong on their neighb0r or their dearest friend.
From the New York Independent, March 81
THE TRAGEDY AT WASHINGTON.
bined the city Of Washington during the winter and
that are allowed free access TO- and operation Within
paralieled on this continent elsewhere great number
Of men, from different parts OF the country most OF them
with no strong controlling sense Of moral obligations
religious responsibilities without the ordinary social
and family ties which elsewhere surround them put
srant upon their conduct while there convened each
session by the meeting Of Congress- With them come also
managers, as specuators interested in government con-
tracts, as lobby agents, petitioners for Congressional
avors &cwho find 1t for their interest, 1t u In addi
ton for the qualification Of their depraved appettes
to minister to the passions and uss Of those by whose
favor they live Meantime, there Is paramount and
permanent public sentiment to put constran upon the
action Of any one. Such thing indeed impossibty
in city whose population is aggregated so loosely and
held together for short me and, therefore, long
men keep within the palpabe limits Of the law DO
not grossly and ouageousy overstep these they do
Gambling houses, drinking saloons, and manifold filthy
fashionable resorts Of lcentous indulgence there
fore universally understood and admitted % exist at
Washington. The hotels freauented, the winter
through by male and female adventures and sbarpers
from all parts Of the country and more absolute mixing
profgate scamps, Of every degree and under every
ward disguise can hardly be imagined, than presented
on almost any day in the dining supper Of of
those great and crowded caravansares The very amos
phere too full Of political excitement Of party n,rigues
which these swarms Of people lve-he rumors that are
ting around them all the time OF this that successful
stroke on the part OF some Presidential asprant Of this
the next elections most serousyA this absorption aud
stimulation Of the mind by mere political interests and
tends directly and powerfully looseness Of morals The
social state Of town cannot but be excessively unhealthy
least among the influential classes; and where. a.
fashionable "soiree" or reception" . young bride
Ssaus S with the ,v sSu ybo may % next
having been the Aspasia to than one popular Pc
rcles or where man OF tastes yet untutorcd in wick
edncssat least In its grosser and defiant formss
engi by circle of gentecl scoundres some of them In
Congress and more Of them out Of IT, who know how 70
who do the very vlest deeds with easy sparkle and
dash Of manner that makes them look like innocent
alton.
II not at all surprising that amid such social state as
this, constituted and characterized even such an out
rage rs that committed by Brooks upon Sumner, for
ample should have passed comparatively without repro
baton and IL Ia not In the least degree surprising that
such tragedies as that which 10 briefly chroncled IN
columns this weck-and Of which readers will doubt
less have read elsewhere detailed accounts-shoud
occasionally occur. Similar occasions TO that which
brought about the sudden and bloody death Of Key do
undoubtedly not unfrequenty arise and though in the
large majority Of those who are specially touched
by these for tho sake Of all tho interests involved,
OF family, reputation, pride, the future seek other
only the utter and instant destruction Of the life Of tho
We do not justify Mr. sicklcs in his act Il was simply
summary, sangunary relentless street murder commit
made himself obnoxious the laws Of the country 70 the
judgment OF his countrymen to the searching and terrific
or rssV E1 hs Ss ~ can shake
whose Judgment draws higher every hour.
DO, While we speak thus Of him. the slayer We have only
lesson Of admoniion 10 draw hardly OF regret from