Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-07-28
Letter From D z. Sickles,


affection apon my family, have been silent.
No amount of mi>Tepre eutat;ou affecting
myself oaly could irdace Inc now 20 open my
lips ncr eoad | deem il worth while under
snv circumstances TO notice what has or can be
said in journals never regarded as the sources
or the opponents of public opinion, for in these
it is too often obvious that only unwCrthy mo-
tiveC prompt the most vindirtive assaults upon
the private life of citizens holding pnhljc sta
tions But the editorial comments in the Her.
aid of yesterday, although ceusorous, (which
/ do not complain, whilst read them with re-
gret), differ SO widely in tone and temper from
the mass of nonsense and calumny which has
lately been written concerning Il recent event
in my domestic relations. that cannot allow
mistake, into which you have been led by in
accurate information, to pass without such
correction as will relieve others from any
share of the reproaches which it is the plea
sure of the multitude at this moment to heap
upon me and mine.
Referring to the forgiveness which my sense
Of duty and my feelings impted Inc to extend
to an errlng ami repentant wife, YOU observe,
in the course of y0ur temperate and digniied
article, that, 1t is said, however, that the last
phase of the affair was brought about through
the advice of his lawyers" This is entirely
erroneous | did not exchange 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 consultation
with any relative connection, friend or adviser.
Whatever blame, if any belongs TO the step,
should fall upon me- | am prepared 70 defend
what have done before the only tribunals
recognize as having the slightest claim to juris
dictiOn over the suhiect-my own conscience
and the bar of Heaven | am not aware of
any statute, or code of morals, which makes it
infamous to forgive q woman nor is it usual
to make our domestic life a subject of consul
taton with friends, no matter how near and
dear 10 MS. And | cannot allow even all the
world combined to dictate to- me the repuda-
ton of my wife, when | think it right to for
give her, and restore her to my confidence and
protection.
If ever failed to comprehend the utterly
desolate position of an offending though penitent
woman-the hopeless future, with all its dark
possibilities of danger, to which she is doomed
when prescribed as an outcaSt-I can now see
plainly enough, in the almost universal howl
of denunciaton 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 AIN
the first man who has ventured to say TO the
world an errng wife and mother may be for
given aud redeemed that in spite of all obstacles
in my path the good results of this example
shall entitle it to the imitation of the generous
and the eommendation 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 aGd father, is to be fatal to my pro
fessional, political and social standing. If this
be so, theu so be it. Political station, profes
sional 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 resolnte, it is
the man himself who indicates the place he
will occupy and so long as 90 nothing worse
than to re-unite my famiiy under the roof
where they may find shelter from cOntumely
and persecution, / do not fear the noisy but
feeting voice of popular clamor The multi
tude accept their first impressions from a few
but 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
then may reasSure those who look with re-
luctant farebodings upon my future to be of
good cheer, for | will not cease 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 for my destruction, to those say
once for all, if man make a good use of his
enemies they will be as Serviceabe to him as
bis friends
In conclusion, let me 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 yet
youthful mother while she seeks in sorrow aud
contrtion the mercy aud pardon of Him to
whom, sooner or later, we must all appeal
Very respectfully your most obedieut servant
DANIEL f SICKIFS