The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-11
lNc lcfferscNiaN 4emccra
JULIUS 0. CONVERSE, Editor.
CnlRDON, 0, FRIDAY, MARCH II, 1859.
The Washington Tragedy and its Moral,

our columns. to tho details of tho rccOnt
tragedy at Washington; and, whio thoy
arc fresh in tho public mind, and our
brethren of the press arc freely commenting
upon them, we cannot forbear to express
the fooings they have awakened in our
mind. and, as We would fain believe, in the
minds OF thousands of tho friends of social
order and morality. 1t is not enough for
tho world to know, that an assassination has
been pcrpctratCd at Washington; that
the assassin and his victim both occupied
high official stations. and moved in what
is esteemed the first circlo of society; and
that tho motive for tho fatal dcod. was
violation of tho domestic rights, and u de-
struction of the domestic peace, Of the per
pctrator. Such u recital might serve to
crafty an idle and morbid curiosity, but
would fail to enforce any valuable lesson, or
prevent q repetition of similar crimes -
1t is our duty to inquire into the causes OF
tho unhappy increase of RIGHTEOUSNESS and
crimo in tho high places of our nation.
Sume-pcrhaps the majority-may deem it
| sufficient to know that the unfortunate Key
was n scoundrcl, and that ho deserved his
fate; but such u Wow of tho case, Just or
| uuiust.) will not satisfy those who believe
that his assassination is but ono of innumCr.
able crimes, differing perhaps in magnitude,
but not in naturc,) arising from a state of
society for which Sickles, ani all like him,
aro' equally responsible. If to bo false to
that honor and virtue which should adorn
aud cEnoblo tho character of cithcr sex, is
to deserve death, We fear that Key was not
the only man occupying high social and Of
fetal position at Washington, who should be
sacrificed; and, if the uncontradicted ro-
ports of the character of Sickles, bo true, he
has, by no means, tho first claim to tho
ollicO of cxecutioner. Who can say that, in
tho intimate association of these two men,
they did not glory alike in tho same low
and dishonorabIo achievements, or that
Sicklcs ever objected to such criminalty as
that of Key, until it was practicod upon
! him
, We confess We do not foel such great
admiration for Scklos, as do some of our
70 contemporaries, who, whilo admitting his
y character to bo corrupt, uphold his course
as just and necessary. Tho truth is, his
p course was not oven in harmony with tho
spirit of the "Code of Honor" falso and
:. sCnselcss as wo believe that Code to bo. -
. Without giving II moments warning, he
n confronted in tho street, an unarmod man
intimoln nGCOpiatn Iyhn had
reason to think him friend and sympa.
e thizer-and assassinated him. The most
that can be said in extenuation of his deed of
blood (Which it is impossible to iustfy,) is
that, nccnsed as he was by the gross out.
II rage just revealed to him, ho acted as his
a excited feelings at the time dictated. To
make moral hero of Sicklos on any such
account, would DO to invite repetition OF
his crime. 1t is worse than absurd, to at
tempt to draw u saIutary lesson from the
. shooting of Koy, without taking into ac-
D count ali tho motives and circumstances
E that led to it. The press may in vain refer
to his fate, as warning to all who would,
n like him, violate tho domestic rights
q of death to deter men from pursuing hi'
course; if honor aud virtuo arc to be yindi
Gated only by assassination ;-wo haVo be
!, como more criminal and liccntiOus than an,
70 other enlightened nation or people on tn
cs face of tho earth; and wo might as wei
: dispense with law and moral restraints, an
IS, rely exclusively upon tho efficacy of brut
he force, to uphold both private and sociu
ce yirtuo.
e. 1t would SOON as if wo woro approachin
On this state of moral dissolution and anarch
Us with rapid strides. Tho sudden crimina
~ outbreaks at Washington, (unhappiy bC
y coming moro and more frequent an
'u alurming) like the eruptions OF II yocan,
le give proof of tho corruption which VI
es dorlies the surface of society, and which,
ie not removed, will eventually Overwholm on
- entire nation with licoutOusnoss aud crim
l.. The outrage of Koy, his assassination h
"e Sicklcs. aud tho idle fashionable lito
W. ScEes' wife. which contributed TO her ru
Inc are all but the fruit of one corrupt tree.
BAD as is tho conduct OF each and all
d those parties, it should interest the publ
only us it shows tho existence of this amon
" able state ot affairs. 1t is quite probab
= that moro than ono young man, @
o reading tho assertion that SlckIcs serve
90. Koy right, will thoughtessly adopt him ,
'n om' his iGeal of a hcro-not only his sensity,
ll'' ness to insult, but his notions of houor-nu
lr- become Il follower of him. in his vicious way
s. Is this as it should be? Does the pro
re- discharge It's duty, whom it presents ii
view of tho subject Is it not bettor
rco discourage tho reckless spirit too prevalo
49, L.. L,
SAT III community, oV leachlng lhht Vlrtuo al
,o99 honor are real, and consist not in external
to tt "a' 81 ~ his "" sn" Ovdmo, Tr a,Tgaac
- servance of the rights of all, is an imperati
duty, at all times aud in all places