Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-03

3
Burr's public career, his political princi-
Piles, his connection with the people of the y.
States, and his late conduct sufficient to
support belief, even possibility of his
reasonable operations If this
be answered in the affirmative, then, is
Wilkinson acquitted of all imputation-
then, instead of meriting the insinuations
thrown out against him, even on the con-
grcssional floor, he deserves the thanks not
only of those who would have Immediately
experienced the horrors and awful catastro-
plies of civil insurrection, but also of every
honest citizen in the Union.
Now for the enquiry. Burr has for ma
ny years Inquired at the bar, in one of the
most populous and influential cities on the
continent, rivalling Alexander Hamilton,
the acknowledged Cicero of America. His
reputation as a soldier, during the revolu-
tionGry war, united with the reputation of
his g gantic genius and literary laurels, ear
ly induced him to aspire to stations of po-
ltical preferment. Assisted by his adj
dress, and superior management, he soon
travelled from the first rank in his profess
sion to the dignified station of Senator in
Congress.
In this character he was accustomed to
consider himself second to none. His ta-
Tents became conspicuous throughout the
union and gave him influence in the COIN
ellis of the nation. Having procured this
proud ascendancy from the people, and his
expectations of future eXaltation and cele-
brity being built upon their opinions of his
public and private merit, he early learn
ed the necessity of cultivating talents to
please the multitude and hatter his fell
low-citizens in a compliance with his wish
eS.
Great in management and policy, skilful
and wary in device, assiduous to a point
success was the fruit of all his purposes, all
his plans, and all his endeavors. The bold
and intrepid manner which characterised
his animated professions N flavor of repub-
can principles, and his antipathy to the
administration of Mr.. Adams, placed him
along side of Mr.. Jefferson, in the great COM
petition which then conf1icted the people of
the union. The struggle issued i'll present
ing Mr.. Burr and Mr.. Jefferson to Con-
greSs, with an equal number of votes. Here
he displayed the features of a dangerous
and unprincipled ambition. Though sensi-
bic TO conviction, that he mad not received
single vote as President, yet his aspiring
vanity and passion, opened to the world
his Willingness to collide with the fede-
raj party, not only to depose the first OBJ
Ject of the republican party, but to battle
the eHertions, and disappoiRt the fondest
wishes ofthOse who had elevated him to the
second Office in the government. His con-
duct on that occasion is we'll known and
the sentence passed upon his political inte-
gritty, by the public, has not yet escaped
recollection.
Unaccustomed to disappointment, he i'm
mcdiately concerted a measure to reinstate
al in he 60 b,,h HI
self up to the choice of the people as the
governor of New-York. This engine, pro-
we'd abortive and convinced Mr.. Burr, that
by his corruption and political depravity,
he had drawn between him and the people
line of eternal separation.
Inspired by the Unsuitable spirit of his
ambition, and forced to obey the proud
passion of his soul, he soon orted 10 the
expedition of signalling himself, in despite
OF public favor, even at the expense of the
happiness of his country. The people from
whom he anticipated the means and mea-
sures ofhis celebrity and fame, having with.
drawn their ELECTION, and debased him to
his original level ola simple citizen, his
pride became indignant and his revenge
prompted impulses hostile to the govern
ment and eDgendered malevolence and
acrimony against every American citizen :;
not excepting those vile instruments and
agents who have figured in the scene of
treason.
When Washington had engaged the love
and esteem of his countrymen, his greatest
ambition was to enjoy the sweets OF a rural
and domestic life, He retired to Mount
Vernon, and reposed under his own fig tree.
There was no treason here. When Mr..
Adams learned that the people had no fur
Their use for his services, he retired W ith-
ont a murmur TO Braintree, where he en-
joys otium cam disHif0tc, in the midst Of a
few friends. Here is no treason, nor Dom
for the suspicion of it. Alexander H. mill
ton, much suspected of cherishing princi-
pies hostile to the constitution, retired from
high and responsible Office to the pur-
suits of his profession he loved his coun-
try and was guilty of 10 reasonable opera
tions, against its peace and harmony.
What was the conduct of Aaron Burr.
when his political career was finished 2
Was it that of man, Tesigning his public
pretensions to the public will ? No; but the
contrary. The first venting of his spleen,
and YiTulent passions was directed against
his former competitor, whose moderation
and correctnessi had exalted him in the es~
TEEN and affection of his countrymen. He
pursued his purpose with the determin-
alton of desperation. His aim was fatal
and Hamilton fell. Abandoned by all hope
Of regaining his late flattering condition in
the bosom of his country, Burr became a
wanderer through the western states, and
a rover on the Mississippi. Does candor
demand any gfrouoer evidence pf hfa ron