Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-07-28
fauliIp GirtlG,
The Reconciliation.

4u6
We have taken no part in the discus
sion going on through the press in refer
ence to the course of Mr.. Sickles-
expressed no opinion, pro or con, and
have not even transferred to our columns
the remarks of other journals but tho
following which we-fnd in the Philadel.
phia Press (Col. Forney's paper.) written
by one who has been, and, perhaps, still
is friendly, has SO much significance that
we arc not disposed to withhold it. The
reader must draw his own differences
from it. The writer says, dating from
Washington }
l have omitted no opportunity to do
justice to Mr.. Sickles in his recent great
trouble. He had a perfect right to take
his wife back to his bosom. 1t was his
own act, and I'M told he justifes it by
the declaration that he ought not to be
called to account for it. But those who
stood by him have also a right to relieve
themselves from the responsibility of his
action. In this community the lamented
Aey had many arm and devoted
friends, knowing him, as I did, intimate
ly and well. it was to me, a source OF
deep regretthathis life should have been
sacrificed. An accomplished gentleman,
a fine lawyer, a genial, social and sin
cere friend, it was an extraordinary evi.
dence of the popular feeling in favor Of
Mr.. Sickles, that in the very city where
Mr.. Key had resided all the active years
of his life, and where his supporters were
most enthusiastic, the blow that struck
him to the earth should have been forgiv-
en- by a jury and aplauded by the PEG
pie.
The motive which controlled much OF
the feeling in favor of Mr.. Sickles grew
out of the fact that Mr.. Key had accep.
ted the Inequalities of Mr.. Sickles, and
that while enjoying these hospitalities
together with the confidence of Mr.. Sick,
les, had betrsyed his honor, and this was
regarded by all the gentlemen as a crime
never to be expiated or forgiven. But
it is impossible to deny that the case has
assumed new Importance on account of
his reconciliation. 1t was made a pub.
lie matter by the political position of the
parties and their local connections, and
you may well be assured that it will con.
tinue to be made a public matter, especi.
ally in this community. All the feeling
for poor Key has been revived all the
grief suppressed by the verdict in favor
of Mr. Sickles has been called forth anew
by the forgiveness extended by Mr..
Stckles to his wife, and Heaven knows
where it will end. If Mrs. Sicklas was
guilty before the death of Kew. she is
guilty still and if she can be forgiven
now, Key ought to have been forgiven in
February.
1t will be a long time before another
such acquittal will take place as that
awarded by the late jury in this case
1t will be a long time before an Ameri.
can Court and American citizens will
again allow themselves to be controlled
by a one sided statement to appland the
blow that sends a fellow creature into
eternity with all his sins upon his head
Believe me that l am. not complaining
that Mr.. Sick[cs should have taken his
wife back to his bosom. In the shirt of
Christian Charity this was probably well
enough, and however much the taste of
the thing may be questioned, I car only
regret, for the sake Of Mr.. Key, that he
had not months ago agreed to forgive his
wife, and to spare a human life which
under the circumstances as now devel.
oped, ought to have been spared.
Those who stood by Mr.. Sickles in
Washington land they number some Of
our best c]itizens) were in no instance the
enemies of Mr.. Key, and never allowed
themselves to indulge in assaults upon
the character OF the deceased. They have
been placed in a most peculiar position
by the reconciliation, and feel extremely
sensitive IN regard to it, and 1 think |
express pretty nearly their feelings in
the remarks | have made. Of course,
they are constantly reminded, by those
who took the other side of the ~controver-
sy, that they did wrong in taking their
stand and in a community like this,
where the tragedy and the trial both took
place, you may conceive what sort
of disputes this condition of public opin-
ion gives rise to. All l can say in con-
%clusion is, that l hope no further trouble
will grow out of this affair.