Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-27
LETTER FROM HON. DANIEL E. sICKLEs.

LETTER FROM HON. DANIEL E. SICKLES.
In the New York He,mld of this morning
find the following letter from Mr.. Sickles addressed
to the editor and it is hut just to him that the view
he takes of his reconciliation with his wife should
he given to the public. 1t cannot be denied that
Mr. SickleS' course has met with very general con-
de,nnation, and that, too, from many who were his
friends and Sympathizers during his trial in Wash
ngton and the scenes which preceded it. His let
ter refers to this fact in language at dgnifie
and touching, and will he read with much interest:
New YORK, July 10. 1859.
Through the course of sad events which during
the last few months have brought much affection
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 circumstances to notice what has
been he said in journals never regarded as the
sources or the opponents OF public opinion. for in
these it is too often obvious that only unworthy
tives prompt the most vin'lictve assaults upon the
private life of citizens holding public stations. But
the editorial comments in the Herald of Yesterday
although ccnsorious (of which I do not complain
whilst read them with regret) differ so widely in
tone and temper from the mass of nonsense and
calumny which has lately been written concerning
recent event in my domestic relations. that can
not allow mistake, into which you have been led
correction as will relieve others from any share of
the reproaches which it is the pleasure OF the multi
t,ltlc at this moment to heap upon me and mine
Referring to the forgiveness which my sense of
duty and my feelings impclIed me to extend to an
erring and repcntant wife, You observe in the
of your temperate and tignifed article that 1T
is said however, that the last phase of the affair
was brought about through the advice of his law
yers." This is entirely erroneous. / did not eX-
pl,rn with nj my pI fho
subject, nor with any one else My reconciliation
with my wife my own act, done without con-
Sultation with any relative connection, friend adj
wiser. Whatever blame, if any belongs to the step,
should fail alone upon me- | am prepared to de-
fenl what have done before the only tribunals l
recognise as having the slightest claim to jurisdc-
ton over the subject-my own conscience and the
oar of Heaven. | am not aware of any statute, or
code of morals, which makes it infamous to forgive
woman; nor is it usual to make our domestic life
a subject of consultation with friends no matter
how near and dear to us. And cannot allow
all the world combined to dictate to me the rcpudia
ton of my wife, when | think it right to forgive
her. and restore her to my confidence and protection
If ever failed to comprehend the utterly desc
late position of an offending though pcntent woman
tho hopeless future. with all its dark possibilities
of danger, to which she is doomed when prescribed
as outcast-I can now see plainly enough, in the
almost universal howl of denunciation with which
she is followed to my threshold, the misery and
perilS from which have rescued the mother OF my
child. And although it is very sad for 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 If am the iirst
who has ventured to say to the world an errlhs
wife and mother NAV be forgiven and redeemed, that
in spite of all the obstacles in my path the good
results of this example shall entle it to the ml-
tation 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 ne
con,prehenled in the heart OF husband ana IA
thcr is to be fatal to my professional, political ana
social standing If this be so, then so be it. Poll
tical station, professional success social recognition,
are not the only prizes of ambition and have
socn enough of the world in which have moved,
and read enough of the lives of Others to teach me
that if one be patient and resoute. it is the man
himself who Indicates the place he will occupy;
and so.long as | do nothing worse than to reunite
nv family under the roof where they may find shell
ter from contumely and persecution, do not fear
the noisy but ilecting voice of popular clamor
The multitude accept their first impressions from a
faw hut in the end men think for themselves and
If know the human heart-and sometimes think
that in career of mingled sunshine and storm |
have sounded nearly all its depths-thcn may re-
assure those who look with reluctant forebodngs
upon my future to be OF good cheer, for will not
cease to vndicate just claim to the respect of my
fellows; while to those motley groups, here and
there, who look upon my misfortunes only as wea-
pons to be employed for my destruction, to those
say, once for all if man makes good use Of his
enemies they will be as serviceable to him as his
friends.
In conclusion, let met ask only one favor of those
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 youthful mother while she seeks in sor
row and contrition the mercy and the pardon of
Him to whom sooner or LATER we must all appeal.
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant
DANIEL E. SICKLES.