Year: 1859

Letter from the Hon. Daniel E siokles

 New York, July 19, 1859. To Me Editor ot' he Herald

 Through the course of sad events, which during the last few months have brought so much attilction upon my family. I have been silent. No amount of misrepresen- tatlon affecting myself only could induce me now to open my lips; nor could deem 1t worth while, under any circumstance, to notice what has been or can be said in iour- nalS never regarded as the sources or expo. nents of public opinion, for in these it is too often obvious that only unworthy mo- tlves prompt the most vindictive assaults upon the private life of citizens holding public stations. But the editorial com ments in the Herald of yesterday, although censonous, (of which do not complain. whilst read them with regret differ so widely Tn tone and temper from the mass of nonsense and calumny which has lately been written concerning recent event in my domestic relations, that 1 cannot allow a mistake, into which you have been led by Inaccurate information, to pass without such a correction as 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 feelings impelled me to extend to an erring and repentent wife. you observe, in the course of your tempe rate and dignifed article, that-sIt is said, however, that the last phase of the affair was brought about through the advice of the lawyers" This is entirely erroneous. l did not exchange word with one of my counsel upon the subject, nor with any one else. My reconciliation with my wife was my own act, done without consultation with any relative, connection, friend, or adviser. Whatever blame, if any, belongs to the step, should fall alone upon me. I am prepared to defend what 1 have done be- fore the only tribunal l recognise 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 morals which makes it infamous our uSiIi1sere i5yl3,vvt Uf consultation with friends, no matter how near and dear to us. And 1 cannot allow even all the world combined to dictate to me the repu dlation of my wife, when I think it right to forgive her, and restore her to my conf dence and protection.

 Ii l ever failed to comprehend the utterly desolate position of an offending tbouoh pemtent woman-the hopeless future, with all Its dark possibilities of danger, to which she Is doomed when prescribed as an out cast-l can now see plainly enough, in the almost universal howl of denunciation with which she is followed to my treshhold, the misery and perils from which I have res- cued the mother of my child And al- though 1t Is very sad for me to incur the blame of friends and the reproaches of many wise and good people, shall strive to prove to all who feel any interest in me. that If l am the first man who has ventur ed to say to the world an erring wife and mother may be forgiven and redeemed, that in spite of all the obstacles in my path the good results of this example shall entitle 1t to the imitation of the generous and the commendation of the just.

 There are many who think that an act of duty, proceeding solely from affections which can onl y be comprehended in the heart of a husband and father, is to be fatal to my professional, political, and so- cal standing. If this be so, then so be it. Political station, professional success, so- cial recognition, are not the only prizes of ambition; and have seen enough of the world in which 1 have moved. and read enough of the lives of others to teach me that, Ii one be patient and resolute, it is the man himself who indicates the place he will occupy; and so long as I do nothing worse than to re-unite my family under the roof where they may find shelter from con- tumely and persecution, l do not fear the noisy but tieeting 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 1 think that in career of mingled sunshine and storm l have sOund- ed nearly all its depths-then 1 may re-aS- sure those who look with reluctant fore- bodings upon my future to be of good cheer, for will Otcease to vindlcate just claim to the respect of my fellows; while to those motley groups, here and there, who look upon my mistortunes only as weapons to be employed for my destruction, to those sav once for all if man make q good use of his enemies, they will be as serviceable to him as his friends

 In conclusion, jet me ask only one favor of those who, from whatever motive, nav deem it necessary or agreeable to comment in public or private upon this sad history; and that is, to aim all their arrows at my breast, and for the sake of my 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.