The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-07-28
LETTER OF MIR. SlCKLES.

LEI Eh Vt WIN SiNph''"'
It is true that Mr.. Sickles has been
reconcilcd to his wife, As the case
has excited 50 much interest heretofore
we give the principal part Of a letter
published by Mr.. Sicklcs.--
"My reconciliation with my wife was
nv " act, done without consultation
with sny reloyive, connection, friend Of
adviser. Whatever blame, If any be-
longs 10 the step, should fell alone upon
me-, | am prepared to defend what J
have done before the only tribunals
recognize 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 oil NOR
ais, which makes it infamous to forgive o
woman; nor is it usual TO make our do
nestle life subject Of consolation with
friends, 40 matter how near and dear to
Us. And ! cannot allow even all the
world combined 10 dictate TO me the re
pudiation Of my wife, when ! think II
right to forgive her, and restore her 10 my
confidence and protection.
az | ever failed to comprehend the
utterly d]cSolatc position Of an Offending
though pcni,cnl womon--,hc hopeless
future, with all its dark possibilities 0
danger. to which she is doomed when
prescribed as an outcast--l can now sec
plainly enough, in the almost universal
T howl Of dcnuncia,ioo with which she is
followed 10 my Threshold, the misery aud
perils from which have rescued the moth
ct 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, ! shat strive TO prove to al
who feel any interest in me, that il ] am
the first man who has ycntured to say Ia
the world an crring wife and mother may
be forgiven and redeemed, that in spite
of all the obstacles in nay path the good
results Of this example shall cntllIe it 10
the imitation Of the generous and the
commentator Of the just.
There are many who think an act o,
duty, proceeding solely from affections
which can only be comptehendcd in the
heart OF a husband and a father, IS TO be
fatal to my professional, political and
socinI standing. If this be so, then so
be it. Political station, professional
success, social recognition, are not the
only prizes Of ambition; and | have seen
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 rcsoIulc, it is the nan himself who
indicates the place he will occupy. And
so long as do nothing worse than to re.
unite my family under the roofwhcro they
may find shelter from ContumcIy and per
scculion, | DO not fear the noisy but fleet
ing voice Of popular cIamor, The muI,
ljtule accept their first impressions from
a Iew, but in the end men think for them.
selves; and if ! know tho human heart
and sometimes think that in a career
Of mingled sunshine and storm | have
sounded nearly all its drpths-then !
may measure those who look with reluc,
tant Iorcboding upon my future to be OF
good cheer, for will not cease 10 vindi.
cate a just claim to the respect Of my fell.
lows; while to those motley groups, here
and there, who look upon my misIortunes
only as weapons to be employed for my
destruction, to those | say, nee for all,
if a man make a good use o(his enemies
they will be as scryiccable to him as his
fricnls.'
In conclusion he invokcS all who com.
ment pubIickly or privately upon his do
nestle troubles to aim all their arrows at
his breast, and 70. the sake Of his limo.
cent child to spar" her yctyourh(uI moth.
cr, while she seeks ~ sorrow and contri.
ton the mercy and the pardon Of Him
to whom, soone or later, we must all ap.
peal.