Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-03-05
IErOm the New York Tribune ]


The telegraph keeps assuring us that all
Washington justifes Mr.. Sickles's killing of
Mr.: Key. IL may be so. though we doubt it,
At all events, we are sure that public sentiment
does not go to the length of deciding that all
the loose hvers in that metropolis are TO be
dealt with thus summarily and sanguinarily.
If they should be. We apprehend that the cen
population in the Federal City.
From the Correspondence of the n Y Express ]
WASHINGTON, March LIST.
II is gratifying to the really good citizens of
Washington that public opinion in New York
condemns Mr.. Sickles for his recent act. So it
does hcre-that portion of the public excepted
which hangs about the bar rooms and the gam
bling houses, and which naturally regards the
murder of fellow-being as pleasant little
excitement.
The conduct of Mr. Butterworth in this ira
gedy is severely censured. Why did he not
interfere to prevent this murder Why did
he engage Mr.. Key in conversation until Mr.
Sickles came up?
From the y Y Journal Of Commerce
We have already recorded the sad and sick
ening occurrences at Washington which have
resulted in the destruction of family peace and
happineS, the death of a public officer of
prominence and distinction and the ineareera-
tlOn OF one of the members of Congress from this
The whole affair, from first to last is deplora-
bic, but we do not deem it proper to express
any opinion upon the relative guilt of the par
ties, pending the judicial investigation. Of
moral guilt there is a crushing load resting
upon all parties.
From the Philadelphia PressJ
There were few who possessed, in more ex-
traordinsry degree, the graces alike of intel
lect and person than poor Key. He was uni
yerSally beloved, and was an especial favorite
IN fashionable circles. Since the death of his
wife bis health has been very much impaired
and his spirits greatly depressed
1t Is but just to say that the intimacy be-
tween Mr. Key and Mrs Sickles had been re-
marked in Washington circles for a year past.
and had been the occasion of more than one
disagreement in the families of the parties
During the last Congress, notes passed be-
tween Mr.. hey and Mr.. Sickles on the sub
Ject, which were followed by n complete recon
ciliation, and Mr.. Key visited as usual ut the
house OF Mr.. Sickles, having. dined with him
at large party not more than ten days ago
The last time the writer of this article saw
Mr.. SicklcS and Mr.. Key together, was some
ten or twelve days ago, mt the residence Of the
former, the lady herself being present. with
other company. No event that has happened
In this country for many years will OCCASION
more widespread excitement. The youth of
the parties, the beauty and popularity of Mrs
Slckles, the numerous connections, political
and personal, of the principal actors, and the
fearful lesson which the whole circumstances of
this case must give to society, will form the
subject of comment for years to come Mr.
Sickles is proverbially cool and collected, not
apt to be moved by sudden passion, and is of
generous and confding nature, devotedly at
tached to his friends and ready to serve them
at any sacrifice.
[From the Pennsylvania Inquircr.l
In this case it does not become US, until the
evidence is fully presented, to comment upon
the determined slaughter of human being
further than to express that there can be no
provOcation which can obviate our deploring In
act so dreadful and deadly, and so calculated
to add to those examples of lawlesSness and in
dividual revenge which, from time to time.
have been exhibited in various parts of the
country, as if in defiance of law and above the
administration of justice. The whole world
will soon be aroused by the reports of this un-
happy deed, and it will furnish more, perhaps.
than any similar event in our history, another
seeming proof of the manner in which men
sometimes, under our institutions. run the risk
OF any and every tribunal to take the law into
their own hands. If the telegraphic report be
correct in announcing the chief facts in the
case, 1t will be difficult to palliate crime 30
mOnStrOus in its features
To RI CoyTISUvn