, 1859-04-15

members Of the lower house Of Congress,
encountered and killed the law officer Of
the government for the District Of Colum-
bia. Both Mr. SiCkles aud Mr.. Key were
men Of high attainments, good social posi-
tion and extended popularity-both IN the
prime Of lfe-bOth in the outset Of distin-
guished careers. One deliberately violated
the sanctity Of bis friends 6reside, inAicting
upon bis honor the deepest possible stain.
The young wife Of Mr. Sickles had forgot
ten her marriage VOWS, her duty TO her
husband and her children. The proof was
indubitable; the the outraged husband
obeyed the FIRST impulse Of injured human
nature; the polished, highly bred. ipsopeiaNl.
man Of the world was changed in a mo-
ment to the savage seeking the liie Of his
enemy, who was sent TO bis Maker unre-
pentant, unannealed, a.s.ss,
As q matter Of course, such on affair,
with such circumstances and such surround
ings, could not fail to create the most in-
tense excitement wherever the sWiit wings
Of the telegraph conveyed its particulars.
In all its aspects the affair Is a most lament
able one. Here are two families desolated
at one blow-one life sacrificed and othersa
made forever miserable. Public opinion
will, we apprehend, be almost unanimonsg
10 favor Of Mr.. Siekles He had admitted.
Mr., Key to his fresde and bis table, to
the society Of bis wife and ebiIdren-to
that magic circle where the man, Eearied
and baited in political discussions, could
seek and iind the only repose be might,
know on the face Of the earth. The cir
cumstanees 60 to show that this peaceful
and happy existence was deliberately inv6-
ded, and then desecFated, By the seducerga
Itcannot be denied that meh circumstances
will 60 fat to excuse the sudden vengeance,
which Mr.. Sickles wreaked upon the head
.of Mr.. Key, answering his hand, offered in
the disguise Of friendship, at the mnkzle o.
the pistol. Distinct, also, Is the inference
that the punishment to bemeted out 10 Mr.,
Sickles, who has deliberately violated the
laws Of his country, which be was especially
bound to support, win Be iuitigated By TIE
fact that bis suffehngs have already bees
more terrible than any torture which the
most ingenious inquisitors could ever have
Invented, No jury in Washington will
ever convict Mr.. Sickles Of the murder Of
Mr. Key. The punishment preceded the
crime, and so long asuthe 1assailant shall
live 50, long grwill the memory Of that terri
bic Sabbath be present in bis waking hours.
and, disturb bis deepest slumbers II the
aim Of the law is entirely exemplary, its2
action is entirely unnecessary in such cases
as thisa No judicial action could point .,
moral with more severity than DO the cir
cumstances attendant upon the killing ef
Mr.. Key BY Mr.. Sickles. =
The effect OF this melancholy affair upon
the public life Of the surfiroriwill be etdn-.
porarilyo disaslrOnslolT The people Of New,
Yprka whatever may be said @ ibe con-.
trary, have q deep seated respect for The
law, and, under any circumstances, VIII
view is tsabfogatioh withrephgnanceI They
may excuse the act, but viii hesitate tored
ward the author. Bot The services Of q
brilliant man like Mr.. Sckles win not %
altogether lost to tle country, which 81
wide enough for all To nsome Of The border
territories, where, from the laxiiy Of gocistyi
and the weakness Of ipfan, governments
the theory Of violent remedies for Yiolent
social evils Is necessarily recogized, be may
commence q new career, unsiaihed By social
ban. We hope and trust he viii do soJ
Few young men in public life had more,
promise than Mr., Sekles previous 70 this
affair. lie was tho recognized leader, as
he was the eIeYerest man, IN the delegation
from the commercial metropolis 81 the
coantry.a An eloquent orator, q keen de-
batter, and n hardIEoFking maniin oommii,
tee; and, Eithal, not losing sight Of those
social amenities which adorn the life Of the
public man, be bad al the prerequisites foF
"a FIRST class statesman. There win b
those who will be glad to return him again
at Washington after time shall have a
some degree softened the bitterness Of the
Nets YORK. Herald, March ia l87 a''lil1l