Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-07-27
Letter from the Hon. Daniel E. sickles.
To the Editor Of tie Nep York Herald.

To the Editor of tie Nep York Herald.
New YORK, July 10, 1859.
Through the course of sad events, which,
during the last few months, have brought SO
much sfAiction upon my family. have been
silent. No amount OF misrepresentation at
fectirg myself ouly could induce me now to
open my lips; nor could deem it worth
while, under any circumstances, to notice
what has been or can be said in journals never
regarded as the sources or the opponents Of
public opinion, for i'll these it is too often OBJ
vious that only unworthy motives prompt the
most vindictive assaults upon the private lite
of citizens holding public stations. But the
editorial comments in the Herald of yester-
day, although (uf which do not complain,
whilst l read them with regrct,) differ SO
widely in tone and temper from the mass OF
nonsense and caluuny which has lately been
written concerning recent event in my do
lnestic relations, that cannot allow mis-
take, into which you have been led by mac
curate information, to pass without such a
correction rs will relieve others from any
share of the reproaches which it is the pleas
ure Of the 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 ex,
tend TO an erring and repentant wife, you
observe, in the course CT your temperate and
digEiied article, that cit is Saiti, however,
that the last phase Of tho affair was brought
about through the advice Of his lawyer"
This is entirely erroneous. | did not cX.
change word with one of my counsel upon
the subject, nor with any one else. My re-
,,-;tb
done without consultation with any relative.
connection, friend or adviser. Whatever
blame, if any belongs to the step, should fall
alone upon me. am prepared to defend
what LaYe done before the only tribunals l
recognise as having the slightest claim To
jurisdiction over the suSject-my own con-
science and the bar of Heaven. am not
aware Of any statute, or code Of morals,
which makes it infamous to forgive a woman !;
nor is it usual to make our domestic life a
subject of consultation with friends, no matter
how near and dear to us. And cannot al
low even all the world combined to dictate
10 me the reputation Of my wife, when
think it right to forgive her, and restore her
to my confidence and protection.
L l ever failed to comprehend the utterly
desolatc position Of an offending though peni-
tent woman-the hopeless future with all
its dark possibilities of danger, to which she
is doomed when prescribed as an outcast-l
can now sec plainly enough, in the almost
universal howl OF denuncia;ion with which
she is followed to my threshold, the misery
and perils from which I have rescued the
mother of my child. And although it is very
sad for me to incur the blame Of friends aud
the reproaches of many wise and good peo-
pie, shall strive to prove to all who feel any
interest in me, that if am the first man who
has yentured to say to the world an erring
wife and mother may be forgiven and re-
deemed, that in spite of all the obstacles in
my path, the good results of this example
shall entitle it to the imitation Of the gener
GUS and commentator Of the just.
There are many VITO think that an act OF
duty. proceeding solely from affections which
can only be conprehended in the heart OF q
husband and father, is to be fatal to my
professional, political and social standing. Ii
this be so, then 50 be it. Political station,
professional success, social recognition, are
hot 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 Inc that, if one be patient and reso-
lutte, it is the man himself who indicates the
place he will occupy; and SO long as do
nothing worse than TO re.unitc nv family un-
der the roof where they may find shelter
from contumely and persecution, | do not
fear the noisy but heeting voice Of popular
clamor. The multitude accept their first i'm
pressiuns from few; but in the end lncn
think for themselves, and if know the hu-
,nan heart-and sometimes think that in
career of mingled sunshine and storm have
sounded nearly all its depths-then may
rcassure those who look with reluctant fore
bodings upon my future to be Of good cheer,
fOr will not cease to vindicate just cillr.
to the respect of my fellows; while to those
motley groups, here and there, who look upon
my rnistortunes only as weapons to be enl-
ployed for my destruction, to those say.
once for all, if a man make good use of hi.
enemies they will be as serviceable to him as
his friends.
In conclusion, let me ask only one favor
of those who, from whatever motive, may
deem it necessary OF agreeable to comment
III public or private upon this sad history;
and that is, to aim all their arrows q. my
breast, and for the sake OF my innocent child
to spare her yet youthful mother, while she
seeks in sorrow and coatrition the mercy and
the pardon of Him to whom, sooner or later
We must all appeal.
Very respectfully, your most obedent ser
want, DANIEL F.. SlCKLES.