Year: 1859

since the reconciliation of Sickles with his wife. 1t seems very doubtful what his reception will he in Washington. His political friends in New Y.-h City determined to cut him entirely and # an pears evident that both as q man and q polit;csp his influence is over. His seat in Congress s tn Ie disputed on the ground of fraud and it is thoneht that many 0f his old political friends will take the opportunity, afforded by this contest to dron him entirely, and exclude him from Congress an from society y.-C6uraM.

 Meanwhile SickIes justifes his reconciliation in the following well written letter to the Editor of the New York Herald : LETTER FROM THE HON. DANIEL E. sIcKLEs.

 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD

 Through the course of sad events, which during the last few months have brought so much afac. .tion upon my family, ! have 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 circumstances to mo- tice what has been be said in journals never regarded as the sources or the opponents of public opinion, for in these it is too often obvious that on ly 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 do not complain, whilst read them with regret.) tilffer SO widely in tone and temper from the mass Ot nonsense and calunny 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 a correction will relieve others from any share of the reproaches which it 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 repentng wife. you observe in the course of your temperate and dig flied article that .. It is said however that the last phase of the af fair was brought about through the advice of his lawyers This is entirely erroneous. I did not ex- change word with one of my counsel upon the subject, nor with any one else. My reconciliation with my wife WIS my own act, done without con- sultation with any relative, connection, friend or adviser Whatever blame. if any. belongs to the step, should full alone upon l am prepared to defend what have done before the only tribunals recognise as having the slightest claim to juris dction over the subject-my own conscience and the bar of Heaven. I am not aware of any statute, code of morals, which makes it infamous to for give woman 1; nor is it usua. to make our domes- tic life subject of consultation with friends, no matter how near and dear to us. And cannot al- low even all the world combined to dictate to me the repudiation 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 deso- late position of an offending though penitent wo- man-thc hopeless future, with all its dark possi- bilities of danger, to which she is doomed when prescribed as outcast. I can now see plainly enough. in the almost universal howl of dununca- tion with which she is followed to she threshold the misery and perils from which I have rescued the mother of my child. And although it is very sad for to incur the blame of friends and the re- breaches of many wise and good people, shall strive to prove to all who feel any interest in me- that if am the first man who has venturcd to say to the world an erring wife and mother may be for given and redeemed that in spite of all the obsta cles in my path, the good results of this example cba tn fha iuoifa the commendation of the just.

 There are many who think that an act of duty. proceeding solely from an affection which can only be comprehended in the heart of husband and a 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 recog- milton, are not the only prizes of ambition and I have seen enough of the world in which I have moved, and read enough of the others, to teach me that, if one can be patient and resolue it is the man himself who indicates the place he will occu- py and so long as do nothing worse than to re- unite my family under the roof where they may find shelter from contumely and persecution do not fear the noisy but fceting voice of popular clamor. The multitude accept their first impress sions from few but in the end men think for themselves. and if I know the human heart-and sometimes think that in career of mingled sum- shine and storm I have sounded nearly all its depths-then may re assure those who look with reluctant forebodings upon my future to be of good cheer for will not cease to vindicate aiust claim to the respect of my fellows while to those motIy groups, here and there, who look upon my misfor- tunes only as weapons to be employed for my de- struction, to those l say, once for all, if man makes good use of his enemies they will be as servicable to him as his friends

 In conclusion, let me ask only ono favor of those who, from whatever motive may deem it necessary or agreeable to comment in public or private upon this sad history and that is to aim all their ar rows at my breast and for tho sake of my innocent ohf fn hnrv Gel II. seeks in sorrow and contrition the mercy and tho pardon of Him to whom. sooner or later, we must all appeal.

 Very respectfully, ~

 Your most obetiient servant,

 DANIEL E. SICKLEs.