The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-03-24
The Character Of aaron Burr,
by WIN. WALLACE.

If Blennerhasset had been the only per
sou ruined by Burr, in the prosecution of
hls enterprises, charity would suggest bu-
rial of our remembrance of the exile's des-
! oation. But the victims of Burr are 10 be
numbered by hundreds. The base and
the peaks of society alike show the scath-
ing marks of his fiery visitation.
He cherished no friendship ;--he re,
turned unhonored the drafts Of gratitude
he kindled by the freside of hospitality
the flame of lust, and felt little pleasure in
bidding adieu 10 the Lures of his hoast, un-
I'll the dearest that tlourished in their shad
dOws were Sacrificed The mans whole
being entered on the pivot of selfshness.
But for the affection he manifested towards
his daughter, his sole moral merits seem
TO have been courage and GOODNESS: and
yet clustering as were the aurels which
they welded to his brow-his baser pas
sions so predominated that he held it more
glorious to seduce a womant than TO glitter
in the field of letters, TO scale the steps of
philosophy, or TO wave banner victori-
ously in battle.
He courted man to corrupt his wife
the statesman to profit by his influence
the millionaire TO obtain his money--and
the world to crafty his desires.-He was
the more dangerous from the possession of
an intellect, massive, piercing, brilliant,
united to frame at once handsome and
vigorous. His mind was but the keen and
restless weapon with which his passions
hewed a way TO conquest. That weapon
was Protean. But few could escape its
ever changing attack. If the victim came
fully under the gaze Of an cye-whosc
sharp light resemblcd ligtening mprision-
ed and forever playing in cloud as black
as night he was lost. Burr's conversation
was irresistibly fascinating - his hand
swept over every chord ofthe humanh heart.
He strewed the rosy path of the happy
with flowers of still brighter hue; he
arched the troubled sky of the desponding
with the rainbow ofhope he conjured up
before the wrapt visions of the avariciouS,
mountains of gold; and to the aspiring, he
pointed out the shadowy vistas of glo.
ry.
Thus he stood, gifted, unprincipled,
ruthles and terrible. The want of fortune
alone prevented his presenting in one lu-
rid, dreadful and overwhelming mass, that
evil which he accomplished bu, too sue,
cessfuly in many details. Chance con-
fined to valleys, comparatively humble
tempest, which only waited for release
to devastate continents.
Itmay be asked: "ls not his alor ON
the battle field of his country to be rcmem.
bered" The answer must be, "Ycs !"
That was redeeming trait. No matter
from what motive his military talents were
exercised, our land reaped some benefit.
But there are many persons who will doubt
The real patriotism of one who was ready
TO forsweur his allegiancet who trampled
on So much that was sacred, and who held
even his exploits against tyranny as less
glorious than the moral destruction of a hu-
man beng.
Age is expected TO subdue but with
Burr the winter of time brought 10 SHOWS
to cool the lava of passion. At four score
and six, the crater wore glow as ardent
as at twenty. His faculties Knocked at
century. Age should bring the soothing
calm of religion, TO enable the barque
which has been tossed by the storms of life,
to prepare for worthy entrance into the
sea of another world. Burr died as he lived
practically an atheist. Age should bring
respect; Burr died as he lived, without
the respect ofthe good. His hoarv hairs
went down to the grave floating on the
breeze of infamy.
In cunning, an lago; in lust, a Tarquin,
in patience, Cataline; in pleasure,
Sybarite; in gratitude, a Malay; and in
ambition, a Napoleon. lie affords the
world a powerful example ufpowcrlul in.
tcllcct, destitute of virtue. His por,rai,
would fifty appear in circle of Dante's
inferno.
Let no one accuse me of stepping with
unsanc tilted feet through the solemn vaults
of the sopulchre, AARON BURR belongs
to history. Such wGS The lot he chose.
He soduced the wife and daughter Of the man
who gave him shelter after the duel with Hami-
ton.
Ills own assertion
The wished TO claim his rights az British sub
ect, when in London: Lord Liverpool rejected
the offer with contempt.