Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-29
Letter from the Hon. Daniel E. sickIe,.

Letter from tho Hon. Daniel E. SickIes.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD. -
81 NEW YoRK; July 10, 1859. !.
Through the course Of SD esents, j which
during the last few months have brought 20
mach affection upon my family, I have been
silent. No amount Of misrepresentation az.
feeling myself only could induce me now to
open my lips; nor could ! deem 1t worth
while under any circumstances to notice
what has been or can be said in journals
never regarded as the sources or the expo
too often obvious that only unworthy mo-
tives prompt the most yindictiye assaults
upon the private life of citizens holding pub
lie stations. But the editorial CONNIE nts in
the HERALD Of yesterday, although censo-
rious, Cot which | do not complain, whilst
l read them with regret,) differ SO widely in
tone aud 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
information, to pass without such correc-
ton IS will relieve others from any share of
the reproaches which 1t is the pleasure 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
extend to an erring and repeutant wife, you
observe, in the course OF your temperate
and digni6ed article, that lit lis said, how
ever, that the last phase of the affair was
brought about through the advice Of his law
yers." 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 re-
lative, connection, friend or adviser. What
ever blame, if any belongs to the step,
should fall alone upon mo | am prepared
to defend what have done before the only
tribunal I recognize as having the slightest
claim to jurisdiction over the subject-my
own conscience and the bar of heaven l
am not aware Of any statute, or code Of NOR
ais, which makes it infamous to forgive a
woman; nor is it usual to make our domes-
tic life subject Of consultation with friends
no matter how near aud dear to US. And
cannot allow even all the world combined to
dictate to me the reputation of my wife,
when think it right to forgive her, and re-
store her to my confidence and protection.
If ever failed to comprehend the utterly
desolate position Of an offending though pen
itent woman-the hopeless future, with all
its dark possibilities Of danger, to which she
is doomed when prescribed as an outcast-I
can now see plainly enough, in the almost
universal howl Of denunciation with which
she is followed to my threshold, the misery
and perils from which have rescued the
mother Of my child. And although it is
very sad for me 10 incur the blame of friends
and the reproaches Of many wise and fue-
people, I shall strive to prove to all who feel
any interest in me, that if | am the first man
who has ventured to say to the world an err
ring wife and mother may be forgiven and
redeemed, that in spite Of all the obstacles
in my path the good result of this example
shall entitle it to the imitation of the gene
rous and the commentator Of the just.
There are many who think that an act of
duty, proceeding solely from affections which
can only be comprehended in the heart of
husband and father, is to be fatal to nv
professional, political and social standing. =
If this be 80, then SO be it. Political sta
ton, professional success, social recognition
are not the only prizes of ambition; and I
have seen enough Of the world in which
have moved, and read enough Of the lives Of
others, to teach me that, il one be patient
and resolute, it is the man himself who indi-
Gates the place he will occupy; and SO long
as do nothing worse than to reunite my
family under the roof where they may find
shelter from contumely and persecution,
do not fear the noisy bnt fecting voice of
popular clamor. The multitude accept their
first impressions from few; but in the end
men think for themselves, and if know the
human heart-and sometimes I think that
in career Of mingled sunshine and storm
have sounded nearly all it's Depths then |
may reassure those who look with reluctant
forebodings upon my future to be Of good
cheer, for will not cease to Indicate just
claim to the respect Of my fellows; while to
those motley groups, here and there, who
look upon my misfortunes only as weapons
to be employed for my destruction, to those
| say. once for all, if man make good
use Of his enemies they will be as servicea-
BILE to him as his friends.
In conclusion, let me ask only one favor
Of those who. from whatever motive, may
deem it necessary or agreeable to comment
public or private upon this sad history
land that is, to aim all their arrows at my
breast, and for the sake ofmy innocent child
to spare her yet youthful mother, while she
seeks, in sorrow and contrition the mercy
and the pardon Of Him to whom, sooner or
later, we must all appeal.
Very respectfully.
Your most obedient servant,
DANIEL e. SICKLEs
SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ONE Day.
hno II