Year: 1859

The Berold Of to-day contains letter
to the Editor from Hon. Daniel E. Sickles,
in which he corrects a statement made in
that paper yesterday, regarding the recent
event in his domestic relations.


Mr.. Sickles says:


The reconciliation was my own ACT, with
out consultation with any relative, connec-
lion, friend or adviser. Whatever blame,
if any, belongs to the step, should fall up
me me. | am prepared to defend what l
have done before the only tribunal re-
coguize as having the slightest 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 to forgive woman, nor is it
usual to make our domestic life subject
of consultation with friends, no matter how
near and dear to US; and cannot allow
even the world combined to dictate to Inc
the reputation of my wife when think
it right to forgive her, and restore her 10
my confidence and protection. If ever
failed to comprehend the utter desolate
position of an offending, though penitent
woman, the hopeless future, with all its
dark possibilities of danger to which she is
doomed when prescribed as an outcast, l
can now see plainly enough in the almost
universal howl of denunciation with which
she is followed to nv threshold the mise
ry and peril from which have rescued the
mother of my child, and although it is
very sad for me to incur the blame of
friends, and the reproaches of many wise
and good people, l shall strive to prove to
all who feel any interest in me. that if |
am the first man who had venlured to say
to say to the whole world that an erring
wife and mother may be forgiven and re-
deemed, that in spite of all the obstacles
in my path, the good results of this ex.
ample shall entitle it to the imitation of
the generous, and the commendation of
the Just.


There are many who think that an &C,
of duty, proceeding solely from affections
which can only be comprehended in the
heart of husband and father, is it to be
fatal to my professional, political and So
cial stand. If this be so, then so be it,
Political station, professional success, So
cial recognition, are not the only prizes of
ambition; and so long as do nothing more
than to re-unite my family under the roof
where they may find shelter from contume-
ly and persecution, l do not fear the noisy
but fleeing voice of public clamor.


The multitude accept their first impress
sions from a few, but in the end men
think for themselves; and if l know the
human heart, and sometimes think that,
in career of sunshine and storm, 1 have
sounded nearly all its depths, then l may
re-assnre those who look with relunctant
forebodings upon my future, to be of good
cheer, for will not cease to vindicate
just claim TO the respect of my fellows
while, to these motley groups here and
there who look upon my misft rtunes on
ly as weapons to be employed for my des-
truction, to those l say, ouce for all, If a
man makes good use of his enemies they
will be as serviceable 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
in public or private on this said 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 contri,ion the mer-
cy and the pardon of Him to whom, sooner
or later, we must all appeal.