New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-03-04
Era "a. rr.,a,l,,, lPr.b,,.ri.nl.

Before this paper will come into TIE hands Of Que
readers, they will have seen 10 the dsly press, ani
have read with horror tie details OF shocking
tragedy, which startled the City OF Wsshcg.on lass
SUI day. Philip Barton Key, the United States Do
triot Attorney Tor the District IT CJlnmb,s, shos
dead in the street by Daniel +. Scses, member a.
Congress from this city. The character Of the parties
tie place which tho OF the enc0ubter, the
day On Ehoh il took place all will serve 10 fx stten
ton on this dreadful deed. Mr.. hey officer Of
the Government, and connected With families of the
highest respectaoiy IN tue NEG loofng C.,y oil bLti-
more. He was a nephew Of Cb'etJusice Tasey. Ills
father was the late Francis b hey, lawyer OF Bst-
more who was distinguished, rot more BY his prefee-
siopal at.snmsnts th,n by his high character a. .
man ard Christian lie VS. also known ss writer,
having ben IL author of the nsona song, the Star
peled Baprer Mr. Sickles had bee1 Secretary OF
Legation Ii London, az the tilne that MI buchanan
was cur Minister II that Court, AID sss now prom
Trent member OF Corgess. The attack WAS made 70
our naiionsl capital the open street, AID near the
Pre- sidents manson ard the peaceful Sabbath dsys
TrUs at once wac Gods holy day dedei With eruts!
passions bat nal Legislature was di-graeed, sn&
The streets Of cur capital stained with blood.
The circumstances which led 20 this fearful deet oniv
add to the universal feenng Of horror. vale they
taxi from the &C, the character ot deliberate mGrder
by suospg b. have hsd terrible prOyocston they
oply make us turn away with loathiog and disgust
frsin the social corruption which they reveal The
oflonse Which provoked tins olo 'dy revenge, was
scandsops intrigue between Mr. Key and the wife OF
Mr. Scklesa guilt which was not the snbect OF mere
fee sed Sturg by this sudden revelation, It may well
be INES ired tba, man of high spirl Should be driven
TO the verge Of Madness anc wheu alter this disclose
ure he saw the setucer psss b,fors his door, aud
wave his bandkero as signal ir Spptoer meeting,
1t is not surprising that his mPaience ior revenge
should hurry him hey ond control.
Unjust be cor f.ssed that the prov01s'ion Vas be-
yor almoet any poser Of resistance. Such wrong
IL made douby exasperaing by TIE ref elton that t IL
enc for which the law provides Do aieluate pnnsh-
mebt. Until society prescrbes some penalty Tor IN
vadng the ssrctty VI snoth.rs home, whicn saal "a
in proportion 20 the elormty of the guilt and uatil rs
execution sball be more ssift AMI cert ,in usa will
take law into their own hands. Who can expect
II an, whose blood Is burniog with n coovict)p Of
household Disgrace to wait the slo procss'ot the iw
all this time TO have the 6nger OF scorn pointed az
bin and at last, perhaps, 10 nave the dsstroyerd
his pea = punished by paltIy foe No. Until the
seducer is not only punished out paolshed 10 way 70
iLact disgrace upon him, Imprisoned, dressed - u
feop put in the pllory or subjected to some iSnomn
ious punii hnent which shall brand him IS adshonofed
nhp-such tragedies will occur.
But while such outrage on ones domestic pescS
may excuse a natural violence aud fury, and even in
some degree palate and extenuate a saiien act OF
retaliation, il by no meaDs Jas'iies such deed as
this. In the eye Of God this wretched mao 10 guihy
g his brothers, blood. Men may applaud his spirit
in taking such savage revenge, but there another
voice within bis soul which answeTs ~ the voice OF
God which tells bin that his hands are stsn,d with
crime. He has sen, fellow-man to the bar OF 800,
and no appreciation Of society, no acqatti by Court,
! o approval by the code Of honor, will ever wash
away the bloody stap.
Besides, what gives to this act peculiar a.rocity
IL II previous life Of the who has thus revepgod
himself upon the violator Of his household He Who
sssuu the awful attitude Of Judge and execatouer
Of crime should himself be fee from any Suspicion Of
similar guilt. He Who puts another 10 death for
hcentious act, should bimself BE- pure. Yet unless
public run or II ost ubjusty accuses Mr.. Sckes, he
has himsen been notorious for his prohigeciss. lie
would have made very hight Of the wrong TO another,
which, when committed against himself, he felt must
be washed oft with blood This Is tho tamnipg cr-
cumftance In his case Men oil say, and say justly,
Grant that the tecucer deserved 10 die it was not by
VouT hand that he should meet bis ED. And many
will recognize this awful calamity that has fallen nDop
THE msn boufe as the righteous Istriooton OF Col,
which at ast cOmmonds the poisoned chalice to his
lps. .,
the law which is at fault but society IL at iin These
foul botches the face Of society show that there Is
rotebIess beneath The laws OF honor are utterly inn
potent 20 restrain the passions Of men. Probably
many VINO viii applaud this homicide are conscious In
their souls T. at they guilty OF the very out
rage for which they justify another In taking hnmsu
he They justify this swift revenge when they have
no princip. Of religion AM sense Of honor to re-
strain them from rhicting the same wrong on theif
Ne ghbor their de8Test friend.
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