Warren telegraph. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1857-1861, 1859-07-23
TIE Letter Of Hon. D. e. sicklss.
"The rarer action %
In virtue than in vengeance. ."-Shakspeds

The Letter Of Hon. ID. e. sicklcs.
"The rarer action 10
In virtue than in vengeance. "-Shakspedrs.
The announcement that Mr. Sickles has re-
ceived his wife to his home and confidence, has
been variously commented upon by the Press,
. few journals lauding the act as generous AM
manly, but large majority condemning 1t as
weak and pusilIanimous. That public opinion
should be thus widely divided is natural. The
startling tragedy Of which Mr.. Sick'es was the
principal notoriety, a. well as the interesting
circumstances of his trial and acquittal, are yet
fresh IN general remembrance. The great pub.
lie Is not apt To be overgenerous in its estimate
Of uen and their actions. Especially is this
the case when they conflict with its prejudices
and preconceived ideas of fitness. Hence it is
liable to form hasty and unwarranted jndg
ments, without stopping to consider the motires
that may have irnpelled to any particular course
of action. Nevertheless, to motires must we
look for the moral quality Of all actions, and
the guage of all human accountability.
The above thoughts were sugg sted by
perueal of the subjoined letter. that was COM
municated to the New York Herald by Mr..
Sickles himself in vindication of bis course.
The letter is characterized by tone of manly
pathos that must touch the heart of the most
obdurate. It cannot fail to exercise modifying
influence over the harshest judgments that have
been passed upon his anomolous conduct. How
ever we may question the policy Of his proceed
ure, we cannot but respect the feelings of the
husband and father who is willing to sacrifice
everything, IL need be, for the sake of what he
conceives to be his duty. After all, what rea-
son have we to doubt but that the same love that
impelled him to take the life of the man that dcs-
ecrated the sanctity ofhis household, made him
to brave almost universal Misrepresentation and
calumny, and receive an erring but penitent
wife to the protection and confidence of home.
7SMs Eitor of TIE Mw Yors Herald.
NEw YoRK July l9, 1889.
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
now to open my lips; nor could deem It worth
while under any circumstances to notice what has
or can be said in journals never regarded as the
sources or the exponents Of public opinion, for in
theseit Is too often obvious that only unworthy mo-
tivesprompt the most vndicitivs assaults upon the
Tie editorial comments in the Herald Of yesterday
although censorious, (of which do not complain,
tome and temper from the mass Of nonsense and cal!
umny which has lately been written concerning re-
cent event in my domestic relations that cannot al
low mistake into which you have Desn ,ea D
will relieve others rom any share OF the reproach-
es which il is the pleasure Of the multitude ct this
moment to heap upon me and mine; NINE
ty and my feelings impeed me to extend to an err.
ing and repentan wife, you observe in the course OF
your temperate and dignifed article that, 1T is
brought about through the advice Of his lawyers"
This is entirely erroneous. / did not exchange a
word with one Of my council shs vsS
was nv own act done without consultation with any
relative connection, friend adviser. Whatever
blame to the wSss
before the only tribunals recognize having the
slRhtest claim to jurisdiction over the subject-my
own conscience and the bar @ Of Heaven T.. am not no'
Il infamous TO forgive q woman nor is it usual to
make our domestic life subject Of consultation with
friends no matter nc nov IN near or% ana 70 u.s. 70
70 me the repudia alton of my wife, when l think IL
right forgive her, and restore her to my confidence
II ever failed to comprehend the utterly desolate
position Of an offending. though penitent woman.the
hopeless future with ali its dark possibilities Of dan
ger, to which she is doomed when prescribed as an
universal howl of denuncation with which she is fol-
lowed TO nv threshold, the misery and perils from
which have rescued the mother Of my child. And
although Il is very sad for to incur the blame Of
= friends and the reproaches Of many wise and good
people, shall strive to prove TO all who feel any in
terest in me, that IL am the first man who has ven
tured 70 say 70 the world erring wife and mother
may be forgiven and redeemed, that in spite Of all
the obstacles In path the good results Of this
ample shall entitle Il 10 the imitation OF the generous
There are many who think that an act Of duty pro-
ceedinR solely from affections which only be com
pretended in the heart Of husband and father is I.
be , e my % m Political po .%oa
professisuai success social recognition are not tn
only prizes Of ambition; and have seen enough 9
the wor d In which have moved and read enoug
of the lives of Others to teach me that one be pa
tent and resolute Il Is the himself who Indicate
the place he will occupy and 80 long as l do nothing
worse than to re-unte my family under the roc
where they may End shelter from contumely and pei
sccution | do not fear the sy but heetng voice
popular clamor The multitude sccept their nr,t IN n
themselvss and IL know the human heart-an
sometimes think that In career OF mingled sur
shpe and storm have sounded nearly all its depth
then Imay reassure those who look with reluctar
forcbodings upon NY future to be OF good cheer ior
will not cease 70 vindicate just claim to the respes
of nv fellows while TO those motely groups, her
and there, who look upon my msfortunes only
weapons 70 be employed for my destruction, to thos
saw once for all, II a man make good use OF h
enemies they will be as sesviosable TO him as hi
fricnds.
In conclusion, let me ask only one favor Of thos
Who from Whatever motive, may deem II necessar
or arreeable 20 comment In public or private upo
THE sad history and that IL, 10 aim all their arrow
at my breast and for the sake Of my innocent cnii
in sorrow and contrition the mercy and tie pardo
Of Him 70 whom, sooner or later, must all appea