The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-04-20
The Sickles Trial.

Auc SlVhie9 1Aiei'
We give below a condensed report Ct
the Sickles trial now in progress in Wash
ington City, and which is occupying SO
much of public attention:
.WAsnrNoToN, Aprillo.
The. Sickles trial has reached its crisis.
I, is the wish Of defendant To spare the
character Of Key, Tor his chldren's sake,
as far as it is compatible with The provo
cation he is obliged to prove. Beyond
this, i, is no, the desire OF Mr.. Sicklvs to
60; but if the prosecution, from hostile
motives, are determined to assail the an
teceJents of Mr.. Sckles, he will respond
TO them by unfolding budget of liccn-
tiousness that will astonish this .commun
ity, and carry desoation to many fire.
sides.
Conclusive evidence is prepared TO es.
tablish against Key, a series of liGidinous
acts Tor the las, two years and upwards,
that will bring shame on AL in any way
connected with him. Let it DO hoped,
for the sake of the parties, as well rs for
public deconcy, ,ks, tie prosecution will
pause and reflect befo.e j, is too late.
Mr.. Sickles declares that the alIega
tons of 'he prosecution against his early
manhood are unfounded, aud no more than
so many idle threats j. deter him fiom
exposing The ippQrality Of Key. lie Is
willing, for reasons stated, tc show for
bearspce, LIT il, is for the prosecution to
decide.
The venerable Judge is an o!d friend
Of Kay and his family, bu, hp must forget
all srch ties aud exercise stern impar,ini-
~. if he allows testimony to assai the
prisoner. he must also allow the prisoner
10 rebut ibis with testimony against the
DESTROYER Of his peace and hCWe. It is
thought here that Judge Craw ford show
ed bias for the prosecution, in not ruling,
as lie had done III similar cases, that But
terworth, An eye witness, should be put
on the stand hy the District Attorney
1t may te, however, that he acted consci.
entiuusly.
a striking demonstration of female sen.
tmeut here, took place last night, when
George SckIcs, father q: the ptt,ner, was
surprise. ~ = visit at hi, hotel # some
twenty !a,iios, wh0 csins i'll bod, t" -x.
press their sympathy for ri> sou, aud -
say that If he thought il would give AIRY
comfort TO the accused, lhey would daily
present themscIes, with many ianre, n,
the C"ur, House. The pe.Son At the head
- the d-pu,.l'on WAS venerable woman
II some three score Years. and she rseI
the strongest expressions uf c''mmi>erstiuu
for the prisoner. We demand his dis
ch,rg-, she said, 'on belI 'If Of our Sex
Let him be convicted, and he Irl,eriine
oh'ains new license. Let him re vindic,
ted, and virtue obtains new guarHuice.
Mr. Srkles, ST.. made a feeling &c
kH"wIedgenent IN reply To this novel bm;
touching display Of good and vir;u"uS
CgrresRgHdemcs .Ne~ York HruH.
WAsuISGroN. April l2.-Srven wi,
ncsseS Tor ti,a defence have now been cN.
nmine'i, rUciuduc the Hon. Ii. J. Walker
and n servant "f $rc1 les, wl," was present
at the time M. SicklrS >i.ned the con
'e>N'o" Of her gnrlt. ,Iur,ns The rendition
OF Mr.. Walker, 'e,t,Vguy, the prisoner
Was 80 overcome I,y l.s emotions. rs :"
make /, necessary that ie should bc re
moved temporarily from 'I.e cour, room
The court adj burned y ile ,h.e argument
was bending, touching the nd,.i>s,blhtv
"i Mrs. SIckle>' confession. ~ evidence in
the case, which is said 10 contain H. ulI
particulars Of repeated offences.
WAsrrNGrox. April lY.-Judce Sraw,
ford has decided no, To receive Ms. Sac.
klcs' confession in evidence. Several VT
nesses were eXsmiuer RS to his state oi
mind previous, aud the circumstances
which immediately preceleL the killing
a great deal oi sympathy is manifested
in the community for the accused.
WAsHINGroX, April I4.-Three Wit.
nesses were ex.mincL to-day fuy the de-.
fence, chiefly ns To- Ihs frequent signal.
made 10y Phillip Barton Key before the
housa "f Srekles, and ths frequent meet
ingS with his wife Some very slarp
words passed. between the District At,or
ney, Ods, and Mr. L. NJ. Stanton, Of tie
defence