The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-21
LETTER FROM HON. DANIEL Z. SICKLES.


New York. July 10, 1859
Through the course Of sad events, which during
the last few months have brought so much Attic
ton upon my family, | have been silent No
amount of Misrepresentation affecting myself only
could induce me now to open my lips; nor could /
deem it worth while under any circums ances to
notice what has been can be said in journals
never regarded the sources or the opponents of
public opinion for in these it is too often obvious
that only unworthy motives prompt the most vim
dictive assaults upon the private life of citizens
holding public stations. But the editorial com
ments in the Herald of yesterday, although censo-
rious (of which do not complain, whilst read
them with regret), differ so widely in tone and
temper from the of nonsense and calumny
which has lately been written concerning recent
event in my domestic relations, that cannot allow
a mistake, into which you have been led by inaccu-
rate information. to pass without such correction
as will relieve others from any share of the re-
proaches which it is the pleasure of the multitude
at this moment to heap upon me and mine.
Referring to the forgiveness which my sense of
duty and my feelings compelled me to extend to an
erring and repentant wife, you observe, in the
course of your temperate and diguited article that
at is said, however, that the last phase of the af
fair was brought about through the advice of his
lawyers" This is entirely erroneous | did not
exchange a word with one of my counsel upon the
subject; nor with any one else. My reconciliation
with my wife was my own act, done without con-
sultaton with any relative, connection, friend add
wiser. Whatever blame If any belongs to the step,
should fall alone upon me. l am prepared to defend
what have done before the only tribunals recog-
nze as having the slightest claim to jurisdiction
over the subject-my own conscience and the bar of
Heaven. | am not aware of any statute or code of
morals, which makes it infamous to forgive a
woman; nor is it usual to make domestic life
subject of consultation with friends, no matter
how near and dear to u.s. And | cannot allow even
all the world combined to dictate to me the repudia-
ton of my wife, when think it right to forgive
her, and restore her to my confidence and protec-
ton
If | ever failed to comprehend the utterly desc
late position of an offending though penitent wo-
mantle hopeless future, with all its dark posi-
bities of danger, to which she is doomed when
prescribed as an outcast-l now see plainly
enough, in the almost universal howl of denuncia-
tion with which she is followed to my threshold,
the misery and peris from which | have rescued
the mother of my child. And although it is very
sad Tor me to incur the blame of friends and the
reproaches OF many wise and good people, shall
strive to prove to all who feel any interest in me-
that il | am the first man who has ventured to say
to the world erring wife and mother NAV be for
given and redeemed, that in spite of all the obsta-
cles in my path, the good results Of this example
shall enttle it to the imitation of the generous and
the commentator of the just.
There are many who think that an act of duty,
proceeding solely from affections which can only
be comprehended in the heart OF a husband and a
father, is to be fatal to my professional political
and social standing. If this be so, then so be it,
Political station, professional success social recog
milton, are not the only prizes of ambition; and
aaye seen enough Of the world in which | have
moved and read enough of the lives of others, to
teach that, if one be patient and resoute. it is
the man himself who indicates the place he will
cupy; and so long as do nothing worse than to
reunite my family under the roof where they may
find shelter from contumey and persecution, |
do not fear the noisy but fleeing voice Of
popular clamor. The multitude accept their
first impressions from a few; but in the end men
think for themselves, and if | know the human
heart-a and sometimes | think that in career of
mingled sunshine and storm have sounded nearly
all its depths-then may reassure those who look
with reluctant forebodngs upon my future to
be of good cheer for will not to vindicate
just claim to the respect of my fellows; while to
those motley groups here and there, who look upon
my misfortunes only as weapons to be employed
TO, my destruction, to those say, once for ALL if
man make good use of his enemies they will be as
serviceable to him as his friends.
In conclusion, let me ask only one favor of tboee
who, from whatever motive, may deem it necessary
or agreeable to comment in public or private upon
this sad history; and that is to aim all their arrows
at my breast and for the sake of my innocent child
to spare her yet youthful mother while she seeks in
sorrow and contrition the mercy and the pardon of
Him to whom, sooner or later, we must all appeal
,4a Verg respectfully, i
our most obedient servant,
M DANIEL Z. SIoKLEs.