Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-07-23
letter from Daniel e. sickles.

The n. Y. Herald OF the goth, contains
a letter to the Editor, from Hon. Daniel
Il. Sckles, in which he corrects state
ment made in that paper regarding the
recent event in his domestic relations.
The reconciliation he says was my own
act without consultation with any relative,
connection, friend or adviser. Whatever
blame (f any belongs to the step should
fall upon me.
/ am prepared to defend what l have
done before the only tribunal recognize
as having the slightest claim to Jurisdiction
over the subject--my own conscience and
the bar OF Heaven. l am not aware Of
any statute or code Of morals which makes
it infamous to forgive a woman, nor is it
usual to make our domestic life subject
of consultation with friends, no matter how
near and dear to us and | cannot allow
even all the word'combined to dictate to
me the reputation of my wife when | think
it right to forgive her, aud restore her to
my confidence and protection.
If | ever failed to comprehend the utter
desolate position Of an offending, though
peuitent woman, the hopeless future, with
all its dark possibilities of danger 10 which
she is doomed when prescribed as an out
cast, can now see plainly enough in the
almost universal howl of denunciatiOn with
which she is followed to my Threshold ;
the misery and peril from which l have res
cued the mother of my child, and although
| it is very sad for me to incur the blame of
frieuds, and the reproacheS of many wise
and good people, shall strive to prove to
all who feel any interest in me, that if
anu the first man who has Tentured to say
TO the whole world that an erring wife and
mother may be forgiven and redeemed, that
in spite Of all the obstacles in my path, the
good results of this example shall entitle it
to the imitation of the generous and the
commeudaton Of the just. There are many
who think that an act of duty, proceeding
solely from affections, which can only be
comprehended in the heart Of a husband
and father, is to be fatal to my profoS-
soual, political and social standing, if this
be so, then so be it. Political station, pro.
fessional success, social recognition, are not
the only prizes Of ambition, and so long as
! | do nothing more than to re unite my fam
iIy under the roof where they may fnd
shelter from contumely and persecution,
do not fear the noisy but feeting voice ol
popular clamor.
The multitude accept their first impres
sions from a few, but in the end men think
for themselves and if know the human
heart, and sometimes think that in Gu.
reer of mingled sunshine and storm | have
sounded nearly all its depths, then may
re-assure those who look with reluctant
forebodngs upon my future, to be OF gooC
cheer, for will not cease to Vindicate &
lust claim to the respect of my fellows
While to those motly groups here and there
who look upon my misfortnnes only as weap
ons to be employed for my destruction, t
those say once for all--If man make
good use of his enemies they will be as ser
yiceable to him as bis friends.
In conclusion, let me ask only one iavo
Of those from whatever motive may deen
it necessary or agreeable TO comment Il