Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-18
The Key and sickles Tragedy.

Inc A6y anu DLCAleS lag Guy
The newspapers and the telegraphs
have been busy in circulating the report
Of this awful event. It has been the
theme Of conversation throughout the
country. and has been commented upon
by all the leading journals in the Union.
As our brethren have so universally eX-
pressed their opinions, perhaps it will be
pardoned in our humble journal it we
follow with few comments Of our own.
Let us first recapitulate the main facts Of
the transaction.
On the last Sabbath Of the past month,
at midday. Daniel E. Sickles shot down
and killed Philip Barton Key in the
streets in Washington, near the Presi-
dents mansion and in sight of the ma
tional capitol. The provocation alleged
was tue adulterous connection Of Key
with Sickles' wife. Both the murderer
and the murdered were men occupying a
high station in society. Sickles being
member Of congress from the city Of New
York, and Key holding by executive ap-
pointment the responsible office of prose-
cutting attorney for the city. Both are
reported to have moved in the first cir
Giles Of society at the seat Of government,
and as being the intimate friends Of the
President. Both were fathers Of fami-
lies, and were past forty years Of age,
whilst Mrs. SickIes is Of the early age Of
twenty two.
The subjects Of contemplation on this
subject are many and painful Let us
first consider the fate Of the guilty par
ties. One having just made his guilty
signals in the street to his paramour with
the foulest sentiments Of lust and perily
ranking in his heart. is sent without Z
moments warning into eternity with al
his sins upon his head. The other is nov
in prison awaiting the penalty Of the
laws Of the land upon his bloody deed
and 10 prepare as he can for the unerring
and inevitable Judgment Of His Maker
whilst the frail and guilty wife in he
youth is cast down from her high pros
poets to a life of shame and degradation
a question OF much interest arises a
to the punishment that may be indicte
on Sickles. In all probability he wi
escape the penalty which the law de
nounces against murder. Immunity fror
punishment ~eems TO be the privileg
Of members Of congress, let their crime
be what they may. But the opinion {
an intelligent public is after all of MOI
consequence than the verdict Of juries {
the sentence Of courts. There are man
circumstances in His case which tend {
agCrava,e the guilt Of Key. lie Ina
been the guest Of Sickles; his acquair
lance with Mrs. Sickles appears to ha,
commenced when he was invited as
friend and guest Of the house his CO.
duet was q base violation Of the laws
hospitality. He has not the poor excu
OF youth and indiscretion, as he was
man in middle age. and worse still Il
father Of a family, with 4 daughter iu
coming 10 the age Of womanhood
argues a man far advanced in guilt 10
making his signals before the door Of /
abused host. at midday upon the sabbai
Whatever may be the punishment awar
cd - Sickles, we may say that Key d
served his fate. But can the act Of Sic
les be tolerated? There can be no dou
but the deed was premediiated; it W
done with malice alorethought." c
an act ike this be endured in a count
which boasts Of lis morals. and OF ma
tanning the supremacy of the law?
it safe for society that The proceed,
should be established that in certain ca
a man may take the law into his o
hands and revenge bis own wrongs:
so, where shall the line of private VI
geance be drawn; If a man may
vsnge a wrong Of this kind with bio
wha, limit shall We assign to private
talia,ion in minor ofgences-what allC
ance shall we make for the feelings
the man who has suffered from tn
fraud or defamation:
From what we can learn Of the oh
ncisr Of Sickles he appears to have Ii
claim for our sympathy. lie seems b
SELF 70 have followed the same vile cou
Of sin. According to the rule Of P
(RJm. 2: y he is inexcusable, anS
Judging another" be condemns hims
Pursuing a life Of proaigacy himself
advanced manhood, he marries N
child from boarding school whose CT