Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-04-14


WASHINGTON, April l3-The interest in tie
Sickles tragedy seems to be as deep and intense
in this community, as it was the day Of the
homicide in Madison place. 1t is the sole topic
of conversation wherever men meet, or women
either. The thrilling scene which transpired
yesterday in the court room, when the wounds
Of the unhappy prisoner were opened airesh by
the touching evidence of Robert j. Walker, and
when his emotions so completely overpOwered
him us to render his removal necessary, APP
pealed in the most pathetic and eloquent man
ner to the hearts Of all present. There was
hardly dry eye in court and certainly not
heart remained unaffected by it. This scene,
the confession of the faithlesS wife and the
descriptions given of the agonies which SickleS
suffered, when the appalling truth forced its,lf
upon his mind, have won for him the sympa-
thieS of the whole community and his counsel
might with the utmost confidence submit the
case to the jury without another word of testi-
mOny a word of summoning up.
When the doors were opened this morning
the crowd poured in and filled up the place set
apart for the audience. Judge Crawford took
his seat aud Court was duly opened, aud alter
wards Sickles was conducted to his seat lie
appeared to have recovered his wontcd cOmpo-
sure, though his face marked with the lines
of recent and suffering. His counsel,
Brady and Stanton, occupied chairs in front of
the dock and conferred with him occasionally.
Carlisle proceeded to argue against admissabili-
~ of the wife's confession; that the Judge had
already consulted the authorities and bad made
up his mind on the point, but still he would not
have discharged his duty fully did he not OPP
pose the offer.
Mr.. Carlisle, in closing the argument, said
there were two classes OF the community on
Whom he submitted it would have such
effect One class said he, is that body Oflowly
and humble men who, with fear and trembling,
walk after the footsteps of their assembled Lord,
who have listened to the precepts of the blessed
gospel, and who, with all the infirmitieS OF hui
man nature about them, with prayer and watch
ing, seek at least to walk in the path which the
gospel has marked out for them. In the vigils
of the night the snitten heart Of the good man
hears that still small voice in his atlliction. His
first movement is to go into the secresy of his
closet, and on his knees pour out his heart to
Him who only can bind up the broken heart in
sanctity. Why, sir, rather is it the Frightening
of the mind, the qulckening of the sight which
pierces through nil the gloomy shadows of this
world. He sees the reward of the good man,
the comfort of the afflicted man waiting for
him. That is one class. There is yet another
class safe, quite safe from insanity, from such a
blow that. The adulterer, the open, shame
less, prohgate.
The court here took few minutes recess
After recess the Judge delivered his decision.
The Judge has ruled that the statement Of Mrs.
Sickles is not evidence, as it would violate the
established principles and rules. Exception
was taken by the defence, and the testimony for
the defence was resumed.