Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-05-06
Mr.. Sickles Acquitted.

been made known 10 the remotest ham
let in our land. That the trial has been
brought to a close gives US the most un-
feigned satisfaction. The details brought
out on the trial, and which we're so unre-
seryedly spread out in the pages Of many |
newspapers, were not Of such a charac- !
ter as to nourish good morals, or, by their
perusal, to enlarge true delicaeacy Of
feeling. Ignorance Of them were much |
more pleasurable and improving than
their acquaintance. BY the close Of the
trial, then, a fountain which was sending
forth impure streams, has been stopped.
But the verdict in which his trial has
closed cannot commend itself TO the ap-
prevail Of good men. From them it can
receive only stern rebuke. The verdict
cxcites comparatively little surprise, for
such was the low estimation for principle
and sound morality in which the inhabit-
ants Of the city Of Washington were held,
from which, Of course, the jurors were
selected, and by the prevailing sentiments
Of which they would be necessarily large
ly influenced, that no decision different
from that which has been pronounced,
was anticipated. Yet it is a sad thing
that man arraigned for the murder Of
his fellow man, when the fact is not only
abundantly established but on all hands
confessed, isyet pronounced" Not Guilty"
We allow that the provocation with which
Mr.. Sickles was assailed was Of the most
fragrant character-thatth the wrong which
had been done him was the greatest
almost-that could be committed. But a
crime on the part Of one man does not
justify a second, and greater, by another
man. Even where the vengeance exc
cuted upon the transgressor does not ex-
coed bis deserts, where it is only a meet
rccompense for the injury and the crime,
it is not permitted for the private indi-
vidual, for the injured man himself to
inAict the righteous penalty, or be the
executor Of the just judgment. Such a
prerogative could never be conceded to
individual citizens of a commonwealth.
1t would be utterly subversive Of the So
cial fabric. Lawlessness and revenge
would be enthroned in imperial suprem-
acy. The safeguards Of innocence would
be utterly overihrown. The defences 0
peace, safety and integrity, would be pros
trated. Society would straightway re
vert to original barbarism and anarchy
Whatever may be the decisions Of a jury
whatever the pleadings Of legal sophistry
whatever the apologize arguments 0
partial friends, the instincts Of universal
conscience are too strong to be thus 81
fenced and ovcrpowered. The conyiC
ton Of Sickles' own mind, which will Of
ten be present with him in his wakin
hours, mingling its crimson hues with tn
current of his thoughts, and which wi
visit his dreams by night, gatheriu
around him all the horrid imagery an
emblems Of that awful tragedy, will be
my hands are stained with blood" -
Whatever juries may pronounce, or VIII
the practical decision of ;he social circ
in which Sickles has been wont to NOV
whatever partisans and patrons may a
feet to believeor wish to believe, hin
self will say, Il am guilty man; II
hands are stained in blood"
Nor does this decision that in the nan
of justice and law, completely exhonor
ting the accused, add aught to the vim,
cation or defence Of woman's purity, t
protection and security Of woman's hon,
Had righteous recompense been met
out to Sickles, it would only have c
HANGED in the conviction Of every mil
theinviolability and sacredness Of Won't
When just vengeance is taken in the {
tlfority and majesty of law, for one Grin
it inspires a salutary awe Of any and {
cry other crime, and dread Of its p,
atty. But let one grave criminality
treated as a light offence, or no infract
Of the law, and no wrong to the state,
same feeling will soon extend to all oil
crimes, till society becomes so thoroug
demoralised it sinks through the force
its corruption in death.
No country, no government can surv
the wreck and ruin of its morals. Th
who pronounce the severest condem
ton upon Sickles for the murder of
wile's paramour are those also who n
sternly denounce the guilt Of her sedu,
In the name and the interest Of womi
purity, then, as well rs in the sacredr
Of human lite, we condemn this verde
How unseemly and repulsive to a 2
man, respectfully represented in the
Of trial, was the scene on the pronun
ton Of the verdict Of acquittal. I
the murderer was cleared seemed to [
theme for universal graduation.