The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-04-27
lBLENNERHAssETr AND HIS ISLAND
THE ROMANCE OF THE OHIO.

The transitions OF History-the mutations OF
Opinions-ihe vascillations in the wave OF HUI
man Society, and the tremendous roll and
power Of that Wave, as it tumbles its tides
over the American Continent, were never bet
ter illustrated IN any thirty years of human ex-
stepce.
We do not say that the plan of Burr and OF
Houston were identical, for, Bur. was charged
with an attempt TO separate the Union, and
whether truly or not, can never be proven
But in their conduct, as to the attempt on the
Spanish or Mexican Provinces, they were so
nearly alike, that one can never be proved in
nocent, while the other is guilty. Thirty years
made most wonderful difference between the
twol In 1906, the genius of Andrew Jackson
was limited TO the banks of the Cumberland,
put in 1886, it had taken flight and accompan-
led Houston and his squatters beyond the Sa-
bine. The spirit Of the drama. was changed,
aud the prudent, republican, peaceful policy Of
Jefferson was exchanged for the doctrines Of
Annexation and Conquest. of golden dreams
and eagle flights. beyond the Sabine-beyond
the TrinityEbeyond the Rio del Norte, even to
the Halls of the Montezumas, the orange
blooming land of the Aztecs, and the wave
washed shores OF the Pacific! Such is vault
ing Ambition, the circle of whose desires the
round globe, and all which it contains can
hardly limit!
BURR, with an ambition equal to any Of
them, and with scarcely greater crimes, was
far less fortunate than the modern adventures
and might well lament that his plans, like his
sins, were 'too early for his timesp His histo-
~, however, was more various, and his life one
of ry singular and mysterious interest
The chief mystery was, that the world could
never understaI how man, so eminent in
ability, and station, could ever be so wicked
Later illustrations, however, have made it per-
fectly credible, that one of the most eminent
men, should also be one of the worst. The
country is in this respect, improving in the
number of moral curiosities which it can pre-
sent TO the examination of the moral Physiol-
|ogist. we wish TO speak, however, of Blen-
|nerhasset and his Story. The "American
Review" for April contains most interesting
article on this subject, in which most of the
facts, concerning the Lille and Fate of Blen-
nerhassett are correctly given. Burr's Expe-
dition has nothing about it. which is so deeply
interesting as this little episode. whose scene
was laid on an island in the Ohio.
Herman Blennerhassett was che of those not
very uncommon men, who are weak in Judge
ment. but brilliant in abilities. His wife was
beautiful, accomplished, graceful, and ambi-
tious. He dealt in philosophy and the Fine
Arts; she in taste, elegance and gaiety. He was
of an Irish family -she an English. He was
related TO Emmett-she TO British mobiles. He
inherited fortune. but was a republican. Not
finding quite as much freedom to speak in En-
gland, as he liked, he came TO the United States,
TO think and speak as he pleased. Soon after,
he heard of the beautiful Valley Of the Ohio,
then the e. Dorado of the aspiring Emigrant.
He came, and was one of the first Of the thou
sands and millions, who have come TO this
lovely Western Vale, 10 seek the VISIONS of
Hope, and realize, in part, their Dreams OF
| Terrestrial Beauty! They came, and what they
Imagined, they madel The garden bloomed;-
the air was fragrant; philosophy and poetry
danced attendance; grace and elegance presided,
where Ease and Learning were guests; and, In
line that fancy coloyed Creation of the eloquent
Writ was all but realized.
! We said that Mr.. Blennerhasset was weak in
Judgment, though possessed Of shining quail
ities. This was manifested clearly enough, in
leaving all the places in which it was calculs,
ted to succeed, to seek. like some Pap M
Virgnius, happiness in Mature. - - wv. nc
nature which is found in the sneb nIa.s 81
new and unsettled cou9gtdI, ;oorous business '
.ie men Vi nor Ugh; while the refined and
n'inus, w Mr.. Blennerhassett, however,
l,%t The spirit of the last French Revou-
Pairs%2Snd wanted the :!anchor of the soul, %
Without which, human mind is but an unbalas-
tied, unruddered vessel the sport of tickle winds
and waves.
In common with many of the distinguished
men of his time, he gave no evidence of that
clear religious faith, without which, there Can
be no true contentment in any condition OF
life. The works of the French skeptics and en-
thusiasts, which were his fayorites, gould not
guide his intellect 10 the simple truths oil
lChristianity. He laid out his plan of existence
for The indulgence of every lawful pleasure
but lacked those higher motives Of action
which inspire men with frmness and dignity
MARGARET AaNEw, then Bannerhassett, was
not over-rated so much as many people think
by the rich coloring of poetic eloquence. She
was, in fact, a remarkable person. All who
saw her in her prime and glory knew the fact.
The Review says:
"a very intelligent lady, who was familiar
ly acquainted with her in her best days on the
, island, and has since visited and seen the most
!, Elegant and beautiful females in the courts Of
France and England, as we'll as Washington
lcity, says that she has beheld no one who
was equal to her in beauty of person, dignity
of manners, elegance of dress, and in short
1 all that is lovely aud finished in the female
person, such as she was when queen of the
fairy isle"
| one ureSSeu III tne Orliilanl COlOrs, anu tnleN
over dress, manners and style, the roseate hue'
I Of her own brilliant Imagination.
Marietta is fourteen miles below the island
and is the place where Mrs. Blennerhesset
sought society, and purchased many of the sup
I plies of the family; Tor Mrs. b. was business
woman. as well as an elegant lady. Some
times she rode down, and sometimes she wen
in boat. Her equestrian style, she is thu
: described:
J. "When she rode on horseback, her dres
: was fine scarlet broadcloth, ornamented witt
4 gold buttons, white beaver hat, on which
fioated the graceful plumes of the ostrich, o
same color. This was sometimes changed 70
blue to yellow, with feathers to harmonize.-
T IShe was perfect equestrian, always riding
e very spirited horse, with rich trapings, wh'