The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-07-28
gf(istellanep1rs S0ews,
To the Editor of the New York Herald.
Letter from the Hon, Daniel E. Sickles.
Nrxu Vouu TIL, 10 1oso

affection upon my lamlly, nave been SILENT
No amount of misrepresentation affecting myself
only could induce me now to open my lips nor
could deem it worth while under any circum-
stances to notice what has been or can he said
in journals never regarded as the sources or the
opponents of public opinion, for in these it is
too often obvious that any unworthy motives
prompt the most vindictive assaults upon the
private life of citizens holding public stations
But the editorial comments in the Herald of
yesterday, although censorious, (of which I do
not complain, whilst read them with regret, J
differ so widely in tone and temper from the mass
OF nonsense and calumny which has lately been
written concerning recent event in my domestic
! relations, that | cannot allow mistake into
which you have been led by inaccurate informa-
ton, to pass without such correction as will
relieve Others from any share of the reproaches
which it is the pleasure ofthe multitude at this
moment to heap upon me and mine.
Referring to the forgiveness which my sense
Of duty and my feelings impelled me to extend
to an erring and repentant wife, you observe, in
the course ofyour temperate and dignifed arti-
cle that, 1T is said, however that the last phase
of the affair was brought about through the ad-
vice of his lawyers" This is entirely erroneous
/ did not exchange word with one of my coun-
sci upon the subject, nor with any one else. My
reconciliation with my wife was my own act, done
without consultation with any relative, connec-
ton, friend, or adviser. Whatever blame, if any
belongs to the step, should fall alone upon me.
| am prepared to defend what have done before
the only tribunals I recognise as having the
slightest claim to jurisdiction over the subject
my own conscience and the bar of Heaven. =
| am not aware of any statute or code of morals,
which makes it infamous to forgive woman;
nor is it usual to make our domestic life SUBJ
ject of consultation with friends no matter how
near and dear to us. And cannot allow even
all the world combined to dictate to me the re-
pudiation of my wife, when think it right to
forgive her, and restore her to my confidence
and protection.
If | ever failed to comprehend the utterly desc
late position of an offending though penitent wo-
bilities of danger, to which she is doomed when
prescribed as an outcast-I can now see plainly
enough, in the almost universal howl of denunci-
alton with which she is followed to my threshold,
the misery and perils from which have restored
the mother of my child. And, although it is
very sad for me to incur the blame of friends and
the reproaches of many wise and good people,
shall strive to prove to all who feel any inter-
est in me, that if | am the first man who has ven
tured to say to the world erring wife and moth
er may be forgiven and redeemed, that in spite
of all the obstacles in my path, The good results
of this example shall entitle it to the imitation
of the generous and the commendation of the
just.
There are many who think that an act ofduty,
proceeding solely from affections which can only
be comprehended in the heart of husband and
father, is to be fatal to my professional political
and social standing. If this be so, then SO be it,
Political station, professional success, social re-
cognition, are not the only prizes of ambition
and have seen enough of the world in which |
have moved, and read enough of the lives of
others. to teach me that if one be patient and
resolute, it is the man himself who indicates the
place he will occupy; and so long as / do moth
ing worse than to reunite my family under the
roof where they may find shelter from contumely
and persecution, do not fear the noisy but
ieeting voice Unpopular camor The multitude
accept their first impressions from few but
In the end men think for themselves, and if
know the human heart-and sometimes think
that IN career Of mingled sunshine and storm
have sounded nearly all its depths-then may
reassure those who look with reluctant forebod-
ingS upon my future, to be of good cheer for
VIII not cease to vindicate a just claim to the
respect OF my fellows; while to those motley
groups here and there, who look upon my mis-
fortunes only as weapons to be employed for my
destruction to those say, once for all. if a man
make good use of his enemies they will be as
serviceable to him as his friends
In conclusion, let me ask only ono favor of
those who from whatever motive. NAV deem, il
necessary or agreeable to comment II nr,,lic or
private upon this sad history and that is TO
aim all their arrows at my breast, and for the
sake of my innocent child to spare her yet youth
full MOTHER while she seeks in sorrow and con-
triton the mercy and the pardon of Him whom,
sooner or later, we must all appeal.
Very respectfully,
4 Your most obedient servant,
DANIEL E. SIcKLEs.