New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16
THE LESSON or TIE SICKLES
TRAGEDY.

To tie Editor Of The ". Y. Tribune.
Sir: Tee reaon why Mr.. Sickle, killed Mr.. Key,
under the circumstances Of that transaction, rss that
he had always b,en instructed ny public sentiment
that msrrsge admitted Of other sanctions than sfec-
tion-nsmely force. He was legSuy guaranteed,
under certain penalties possession of his wfs person,
whether che loved him not; and .quenty when
be became convinced that the bond had been broken
on her part and himself publicly disnonored, he, like
good citizen, duly vsuing The blessings tho law &C.
curea to him. behought himself Of the penal sstsiac-
tons provided for uansgresson. The resson why
thse sasfaotions took the direction OF the compare
lively innocent p.rsmour rsther than the more guilty
wife. wa, that the wound inflicted upon Mr.. Sickies
WAS not 30 much in his private affection as in hs public
oon.eouenoe. The stine of his grief not that b
bad ost bis wtes affection, but that he no longer en-
loved that absolute ana exclusive tenure Of her person
which the Law allowed him. Had his Suffering
acknowledged the former root, he would have spared
70 pains and tried every dihgent art, TO regain her
love and failiog this-supposing him always 10 De
man Of tnat proper spunE, or violence OF disposition,
which goes for nanlness With tboughtess pe0pie-he
might possibly have killed either her or himself or
both in order TO end the maddenng strife OF PASSION
within him IL not, then, the decease oil MS Wlss
love- but the notorious transfer OF her person. ~Icn
was his legal property 10 another, that Wroust nm
shame In the public eye, and logically drove MN 10
ypdicste biz outraged sovereignty not upon the peg
son of his utfaithlu chate. but upon that oil MS I'll
am AZ a loss. accordingly, to ses why You,
zealous supporter Of things - they are III these
respects shouh condemn Mr.. Sckles who is eydenty
sctnaed by the very temper Of the law, and bat 700
faithfully reflects the exact spirit oil the une. tAs
only blefish can see IN him from Jour point OF view
is too jealous regard for the law, an over Nous
appreciation OF its blessiogs esdirg him on occaon
10 become its volunteer and prodg eAecgIouer,
Uropg which was done hm was eIciu lyel} .esei OF
uubIc wrong and If he had sihmated the law iSss
highly than he DID, been Indifferent TO the blessings
II REQUIRED he would have conhded doubtless IN rs
ordinary administration and not have deyoived upon
hmsehiLe painful and odious office OF more surely e1
| .cutpe H. Ii was because lie did not esteem the
ordinary Administration Of the law equal 10 ~ Ie
msnds that he himself assumed 10 execute H. NO
doubt public convenience and taste both relase 90
IA ify his conduct. Public convenience l: ceItslhy
consulted by allowing the dirty work OF the Jaw whioh
isyergesDce 70 be done by Its paid proe agents
since otherwise mistakes might often be made Hnlch
cord never be repaired and az all events s,ne APP
! pearance is thus kept up OF our stu berg humau
society animated by one Life, rather than mere Is-
reputable aggregation o. Independent and dscoIoanl
/ atoms So also 10 point OF taste We may condemn
Mr. Sicklea for turcng execniioner even IN hls 30
quarrel The righteous instinct OF mankind has al
ways stamped with ilfsmy the wretch who lends hlm
sell or cells himself 10 execute the vindlclye Judg
mebts Of tire law; and j. is only 80 uneIhsusted re-
usnder Of this instinct which quslihes the other ~se
/ perfect appreciation men would oesioE upon M
Sickles Had he deferred to the Law in the premises
.
even Nh Sicklss vOuld have ST lod sbsoiutey iTre-
proschahe, while Dr. Potts and TIE v. y. Ob'erv'r
would nave known 10 hnii to their deVolt lJys anu
holy reciprocal feicitations.
Let as act. then, with understanding. lie: us blame
NJ. Sckes not for deficiency bat Tor an excess OF
ieysUty. SAFELY, Judge Crawford will instruct the
Inv that the only quarrel With the prisoner Is that ne
xce4ei the law OF which they are a nnlssers or as
s,cnsd il. IN bis oyerweeIing sympsthy, more Nin'
aictys at tule toward Mr. hey than is preseaI 81.
IIiri.,rstors feel inclined 20 approve. Cers.ny tls
ia yeuisl Tense To be overlooked for the sake o. ae
shirt ont Of which IL grew. The iact -, M SeAle,
- Ett4 orer ri. hteoGs according 70 the laS, ana
Lence reflects some what HJ4flousy upon is CIleI'
nlriuist1sop: and what sc are bound 70 DO sccord-
;,,'y is 10 visit him with slight re lrooi 10 o
crate discours cement 10 this direction oe' 70 ss'
him forth otherwise free from stigma IN isc'' 'noI
ouebly approved. ., SILL. -, rs,
! But c,esGly," say YOU, MI SlcAless ~ 49,
utterly disbolc1" Bsyond sdoub.. But why Slmpy
/ htcspse al virdiciiye seton il daboEc NengeAn.e
slsays comes IRON hell and always tends 70 zen. As
Iorc az i've under law With vlndicnve SANCTIONS
and am pously laugh. in my tenasr oal1nocd 70 Is
we're ,ueh law esnnot help uuconsciousy imp DIE
the spirit Of he'll and must in after years mfaIo eA
hjbit more or less Of its egtmate fruits 10 my ue
| Willingly accord my friend DR.. Chspin an aIehhfe
ear. while be eoquenty demonstrates thai mere Is
little or TO reasonable prospect of my future dahes-
tior; but we all, both him ard me, 50 uiSefaoy
damned ALREADY withou. our knowing Il, OF even su'