Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-04-21
Mistellanfons.
The Sicklcs Trial.

Mr.. Graham occupied the whole Of Sat
urday and Monday in his opening address.
On Tuesday the defence introduced testi-
Inony to show the intimate personal rela-
tious of friendship that existed between
Key and his family fiends and Mr.. and
Mrs. Sickles, going back into the social
history Of the two families for succession
of months, including not only the imme-
diate parties but others; the dinners they
attended together, this visits to the Opera,
DC, DC. To this the prosecution objected,
and debate sprung up.
Mr.. Brady wanted to show thatMr. and
Mrs. Pendleton, members Of Mr.. Keys
family, were at that dinner party and on
friendly relations with Mr. Sickles' fami-
ly.
Mr.. Carlisle held that that was extend
ing the matter beyond its proper limits,
and argued against the admissibility of the
evidence. The names of those who had
already suffered too much in this manner,
should not unnecessarily be brought into
this enquiry.
Mr. Brady argued as to its admissibility
on the ground that evidence of acts of
friendship between the parties might be Of
fered and quoted Judge Crawford's ruling
in the case of Jarobe. He disclaimed all
intention of narrowing unnecessarily the
minds of the family Of Mr.. Key. None
could sympathise with them more than
he, but where man was on trial for his
life, bis counsel would not be true to their
duties if they failed to offer such evidence
as is admissible. He offered the evidence
with view also to the effect which this
lately remembered act of friendship must
have had on Mr.. Sickles' mind when he
learned of Mr. Keys perfdy. He must
have thought as Julius Caesar thought,
when be fell at the foot of Pompey's stat
ue exclaiming, as the blood dropped from
the point Of his friends poignard, "et tn
Brute."
The Judge:-It is proposed TO prove
that members of Mr.. Keys household were
guests of Mr.. Sickles at the dinner party
at which Mr.. Key was present on the 10th
of February, with view TO prove the in
innate social relations that existed between
the parties. The rule is, as have always
understood it, and as understand it now,
that expressions of good will and acts Of
kindness must be confined to the parties i'm
mediately concerned. Mr.. Keys being
there is evidence to the jury as an act of
kindness on the part of Mr.. Siekles to-
wards him, but l do not see and cannot
perceive how the presence of his sisters
husband there can 60 to prove the same
thing. II appears TO me that the evidence
. should not be received.
Mr.. Badger was the first witness on this
point and testified to the intimate friend
ship between Sickles and Kew.
Mr.. Haskln, member of Congress, was
the next witness, and testified to those re-
lations.
Marshal Hoover was the next and testi.
fed to the fact that Sickles used his influ.
ence with Buchanan 10 re-appoint Key TO
the Office of District Attorney; the intima-
cy of the two was that of the "closest, and
nearest and dearest character"
If the telegraph correspondents can ac-
quit Sickles he is sure to 60 clear, for the
wires are loaded with all manner Of stories
and theories and suppositions to excite
sympathy in his behalf. Here is a speci-
men in Baltimore dispatch to the Cincin-
natl Gazette, April Ilth:
The Sickles trial has reached its crisis.
1t is the wish of the defendant to snare
the character Of Key, for his children's
sake, so far as is compatible with the prov
ication be is obliged to prove. Beyond
this, it is not the desire of Mr.. Sickles to
90, but if the prosecution, from hostile mo.
tives ere determined 10 asssil the spteoe.