, 1869-06-18
A MODEL MINIsTER-sICKLES.

The notorious Dan Sickles has been ap>
pointed Minister to Spain. Some accidents
in the career of this man receive fresh in
terest from his elevation to an important
diplomatic post. Sickles first distinguished
himself in politics as ballot box suffer,
profession he learned before he was old
enough to vote. When only sixteen years
old he was indicted for false preteuses, but
managed to escape trial. Nine years later
be was indicted on q charge Of grand larceny
aud tried, but was acquitted on the plea OF
the statute of limitations. In the meantime
lie had been obliged, in open court, to re-
store some of the misappropriated money.
About the time lie was elected to the New
York Assembly, 1847), he wasthe associate
of the most depraved classes, aud the COM
panion of a notorious woman known as Fan
nv White. lie took this woman to Albany
and introduced her in the Assembly, for
which that body passed a vote of censure
upon the new member. In 1852 he led
mob of roughs in an attack upon New
York post-ofice, for the purpose of destroy
ing some circulars placed there for mail dis
tribution by political opponent, tore open
mail bag, was arrested as mail robber,
but again escaped trial. Three years from
that time he was elected to the State Senate,
whence he soon went to England as Secre
tary of Legation, against the strong protest
of the Secretary of State, Mr.. Marcy, His
conduct in London was such that Mr.. Bu-
chanan fnally had to send him home, whittier
he was followed by his creditors who had to
20 back poorer than they came. Soon after
his return be was elected to Congress from
one of the lower wards of New York, by
votes sworn to have been imported from
BROOKLYN. Then began the career that end
ed with the murder of Philip Barton Key.
Sickles is believed to have been aware of the
intimacy between his wife and Key long be-
fore he resolved to become an assassin.
Fully armed for murder, he came upon Key
in the street suddenly, one Sunday afternoon,
and shot him three times, the last shot being
fred while Key was lying helpless and dying
on the sidewalk. His trial and acquittal fol
lowed, and though his friends were informed
that he would never recognize bis wife, it
was not long before he was living with her
again. The discovery by his father-in-law
Of some forged checks, is understood to have
been the cause of his change towards his
wife. lie was a strong secessionist until a
few weeks after the war broke out, when he
suddenly became patriotic, and proceeded to
raise the Sickles brigade. This organization
cost New York three hundred thousand dol>
lars, but Sickles informed President Lincoln
that he had raised it with his own means.
About that time there was charge made
against him of collecting money from the
Treasury upon false vouchers. Al.sr the the
With an iron hand in the Carolinas On his
removal by President johnson, he became
radical campaign speaker, though at the
same time be was drawing pay as an army
officer. This is the man Grant has appointed
to represent the United States in Spain. We
should think the cheek Of every honorable
American would tingle at the notifying
disgrace Of such an appointment.