The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-17
The ysckles Tragedy.
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT.


NJ melancholy Cause has abated somewhat. Yet tho
event and dreadful 70 occupy the public
lind TO the exclusion Of almost every other topic; but
commented on with greater camness and careful
jsdsm mt. humane desire TO mete out justice TO the
living and dead seems the paramount aim Of all who
approach his sad and depressing theme.
be chief actor in this bloody dramathe unfortunate
Sickes spoken of universally with compassion lde
Gos p, individual malice and political venom, have done
ahcir Yet the Judgment Of the public stands firm
To the depth Of the provOcaon and the justice OF the
dread nj retribuon that followed The private He and
domestic relations OF Mrs. sckes, whilst resident in
Washington have been Investigated and discussed BY hun
sreds here, who have taken every to ascertain
both.
beyond denial that whatever may be alleged against
sickles esry career his conduct since his advent in
Washington has been beyond blame suspicion he has
been seen in loose disordery COMPANY, has
irequeated doubtful places been known TO be
engaged IN intrgues of any kind On the
rary he has sought the best society has given close and
asorious attention 10 his political duties and stei
dily obtaining solid and commanding position in social
seems Incredible that who had struggled with
such courage and perseverance, against the
jaacss his youthful foies had provoked should forfeit
ms complete triumph them by mad act Of Terri
bile passion. To understand rather than extenuae
this frenzy. it Is necessary TO penetrate the mysteries of
roughly scanned and weighed. From all concurrent
accounts it s fully proved that his passion for
ms wife WAS aruently tender and Deep II
not so much her youth beauty that held
him captive but rather peculiar combination of
Eas, congenial TO his tastes and pleasing TO his fancy
bnoyant spirits; joyous disposition an intrepdity OF
character almost unsmnine; grlsh OF sport that
made every form OF pastime aGeeptable utter freedom
from aectstion vanity; and all this united WITH kind
nature and excellent sense. Teresa sckes
perfect caIcature Of that creation OF Scott ID vernon,
than | ever met with Another feature the most
snirp tisn Of NIL Da
not particle OF sentiment or passion seemed to exist IN
her Character Men of all ages nni degrees were regarded
By her with equal and marked indifference. Compliment
thrown away upon her. and atery recoed from her
Ssange nseDsbty to its utmost Efforts she mad an air
Sinelessness, an apparent INCONSISTENCIES Vi iehs
admiration or homage, more characteristic OF the school
girl than woman out OF her teens In TACT she had been
badly educated and had little good sense or propriey,
bn: plenty OF recklessness TO make tomboy.
Rumors bave current OF late that Mr.. sckles
prey frequent fits of unounded jealousy, aud that his
wife complained of the troublesome surveillance he
ssed over her movements. is true he felt the keenest
sOctude the Of Mrs Sckles and the lVeest
apprehension that her impusve thouehess silly dis
position mig betray her into ndsoretons that would
promise her position IN society Never for instant did
thought OF dsoaty enter mis- mind for his faith her
love well as his confidence in her self respect, was
nn5ouuded Like all others no knew her, he believed her
utterly inaccessible 10 the wes OF seduction and his only
guard her against any mira OF those ordna
~ laws o. oety that society exacts from those who de-
sire its favor For this reason Mr. Sckes allowed his
wife, during two cars residence in Washington 10 go
any pub &c or private entertainment without his escort
IT, as sometimes occurred she accepted the Invitation OF
friends during bis Absence 1t invariably led TO earnest
his part. lie watched over her. in short
with the tender anxiety OF parent, rather than nus
band. He was too good for her.
The stories set afoat that Mr. sckes encouraged the
veits Of dsoute TO his house pure inventions
malicious purpose. 50 contrary fact,
that during the past winner he forbade his wife receive
khe visits OF young Cuban whom she had met Of
she fashionable balls OF the No couple that have
ever known seemed to live happier than Sckcs and his
young WIFE harsh or unSnd word was exchanged
betHe them whilst his unboundod goodness Der was
apparently only equaled by her grateful appreciation
Only the very day before the gatul discovery Of her
infatnaton-on Wednesday, the sd Vt-she expressed
herself mutual friend in such fo1d and earnest terms
of her husbands Kindness and devotion ID her leave
coubt OF her seeming love for him ~ never met any
man IN my lne,' she said ITO compare with him any
respect. Nothing can exceed his kindness TO lis
never neslecs ne for moment but he makes the
pest aonement in his power, and he - always ready
my bghtest wish to abandon his politics his engage
FOR my amusement IL ali things he is generosity
rself" This she spoke with emphasis aud apparent
sincerity that her nearer that her husband
from rivalry deception, and entrenched in her
heart Of hearts. What al enigma is the human mndl
nov inexpncable i3 currents and eddies Well
may the Philosopher Of cd have exclaimed that 10
q know thysef was the most unattainable of
woman incarnation OF deceit, aud that when
she avowed all she just claims OF her confdng
band 10 Der loyalty and affection she was onlv paradng
her heartessness and reaohery, would be error aud
show ignorance OF human nature sIhs Is not the first
sase OF the Kind on record. How many instances have
Their vows their peace, pos ton, aye, and tTanped
their very love, for passing caprice thoughtless in
misery, what rum and Death, has not her frvOy and
brought upon her innocent husband her guilty pa-
famoar and her wretched self
And for whom and for what has she icaped down the
hghul abyss? Her seaucsr Barton Key mad undoaOtei
per solal advantages Tall, we'll formed Of Distinguished
nppeaTancc and good address was calculated 70 an
~oman's eye, if a.iogcther "famed 10 make
woman faise.N IN general society he reserved in
cOnversaton haurhv in his bearing and without tho
wish power entertain instruct and conse lueny
he not couTted much esteemed. Though holding
al oicia position Of much dignity, he gave little alton
tien 10 its duties aud preferred giving his
lnent from well Known and ayowed distaste 70 labor Of
any kind. lie noted though for his allan
tres, and this seemed to be his most congenial pas
time. kmnor may nave, as IN all else, greatly
exaggerated his proves and his conlues,s still
Nr. Key toot 100 Little pains u disguise his
pursuit OF any woman who caught his fancy not 10
stimulate the lovers OF 70 chronicle his new
and his last victim Il appears somewhere
about last April that the rowing pracsed eye OF the CAV
Iotharo" fell with its bshog influence upon the bright
face and eutcng form of the gay, tho1ghtcss uusus-
pectng Teresa II well known Thai he coon aer aban
tored another intrigue with lady OF high position whose
name is now daily whispered, and tnat Nj. Key gaze hln
self up to the active pursuit of something younger and
more attractive. His attentions marked per-
seyering that friend Of Mr.. Sckles called hi aen
lion 10 It, when he took prompt and decided stops
arrest and, necessary, punish such outrage
respondence between the parties ensged but Mr. Key
made such emphatic pIoestatons his innocence and
gave such pledges OF his goo1 faith, that poor Sckos
thought lac had been the dupe OF busy body and
given way TO unjust suspicion The acquantlnce was
therefore and MIR Key was frequent vister at
the house Mr. scScs where be introduced his sister,
Hon. Mrs Pendenn, one Of the most esteemed ales og
this place, and OF the highest social position.
Sickles is man OF high toaed generous nature
aud having once abandoned hg doubts lie gave hnself
up hs political occupations, both ncessant and Ia %
rious, without thought fear Of Key WIFE Though
u was observed in society that Mr. Key always al the
same ball or reception where Mrs. Sckes was found st
his attentions GecorOls and unconCealcd that the
nearest friends OF both entertained not the apprehon
sion Of anything serious betweenthem Under this cunning
mask of respectful regard tutus that Key nour
jshed burning passion for tho unfortunate wife OF Sccs
that he seized every opportunity ana employed every OK
pedept known TO his vast experience "gay dcccYer"
70 entce and allure her within the artfu meshos he had
drawn round ner. he sought 10 interest her by taking in
a melancholy tone Of his lonely widowhood ami his
moberless children At another time would alude 70
his delicate health, which his natural paoncss seemed 10
Indicate and he talked Of the WEAKNESS OF tho world ani
MS desre for rest 81 the proper period ne gave way 10
the most passionate declarations Of his frantic love- winch
Ivy all accounts, were probably true. by such tactics
resoutey followed mp Key succeeded 10 faucring blind
ing dazzling and finally seducng his luckess victim aud
toe hfs false step took place IN the house and very bed
az Sickles during his temporary absence In New YORK
Alter TINS their stolen Interviews were managed at the
house hrei oy hey for the purpose; and msdiened
was ne oy ms uefoua passion, OF 80 hardened by affairs
o. this kind That he ussted frequent rendezvous re
less the that