The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-12-01
For the Ohio Stnr


chase from gentleman oil beHton'aine.
For the Ohio Star.
Aaron Burr.
The human mind amid the numberless subjects
which fall within its sphere of observation is often
| led to contemplate those which produce feelings
akin to sorrow. Nor shoald we be relieved from
| those considerations although the records of the
past were forever obliferated.
The ceaseless torrent of time has been unable TO
wash away the deep depravity of mau; and the
fact that men hive lived within the reach of whose
breaih beauty and innocence and the lovliest bud
dings of virtue forever blasted, is indeed la
mentable. We need not search the records of
other nations for such men, we have had illustra-
| tions of our
OF the names inscribed upon the records of our
national existence, that of Aaron Burr stands
among the most conspicuous. The history of the
world affords scarcely parallel 10 the extraordi-
nary fortune of this individual, and it is dcnt for
| the mind to conceive of more peculiar reverses
than brought by this upon himself.
1t may be difficult to form correct opinion Of
such man as Barr, from the fict that although
there may have been rsdeeming features in his
character. yet the uboquy With which his name is
associated destroys every sympathy, dsforts every
medium through which may be Pleased 10 be-
hold him. That B,.rr possessed of some
noble traits, cannot with truth be denied. HIS
bravery, afabilty aud determination, were indeed
worthy of the m,st exalted adnilation.
These qualities, had not their potency for every
noble object been destroyed by tho almost
ampled peridy which marked the counter part of
his character, might have conspired to render him
of the brightest that rradiated brill
| ancy from the American Republic.
From such materials he might have been one of
| the most splendid monuments Of genius that the
world ever witnessed. And, indeed, the history Of
this country presents not parallel to the rupidly
with which by genius and talents he secured the
popular favor of the people. and rose to fill the
eecond seat in the councils of the naiior.
i To deny that he possessed the most eminent
talents, would be- as absurd as to charge the sun
with the of light and heat. and equally un-
true would it be deny those talents used to
dim The radiance which beamed from the affairs of
American liberty. THAT sanctuary of pure and
unlying affectou-that verdant spot amid life's
dreary waste, about which the memory fingers
with delight, he would disrobe of all its losliness
and render desolats forever.
Talents Ike his that wantons in all TINT is sacred
may like the Sirius of Homer fasl, its strong ligh,
upon yet though brilliant it is baeful, aud while
!, it duzzles makes US irembe for our safety. But
8 never did the mighty abilities of Burr shine with
8 such Respondent lusre in that last great effort
when he arragned before the tribunal of the
nation He had been guilty of treason, crime
the most 1sgitious known to the law.
Hs was fully of the perous position il
which he stood. He knew that the issue If,
or death, aud that he had not only the Executive
not only a prejudiced jury, not only array o
: the most brilliant forensic talent that America
d saw, but he nation itself to contend with. Yet
cool, calm, and uudauuted. he bid defiance to thi
e mighty combination of dangers, overthrow ever,
o opponent and achieved victory, which unde
other circumstances would have crowned him witt
= impershable honor.
Indeed the transcendant splendors of his min
seem at times to rradiate the gloom that hang
over his character, but these nsient visions
= only to render more apparent the treacherous in
" si6ous, and blood thirsty part of his H
De hesiates not to traHple upon life, to trample upo
n liberty to trampe upon rights, to trample upon
o country, to trample upon the most sacred prime
II pies of humanity.
A disbeliever in honesty, scorner of oil ths
or noblo and good, he basely betrayed the conf
dence of the people and fell headlong from the EN-
nent position UPON which he stood. Dssimulatio
aud cold heartedness were the elements in whc
he moved, and 10 which the people of the nato
s. could not attach themselves and they shrank frol
re him as from the approach of famshed tige
"a, Like Catalne he had tongue that could seduc
IN an eoquence that could persuade, and hand thu
aa dared to execute.
With these he labored most assiduously to al
81 pease the imperous demands of perverted ar
~ licentious ambition. With these he lured an
tempted honor, innocence. religion. friendship, a
nd that was lovely and endealing in creation. Wit
is these he would veil in darkness the brghte
it hopes the noblest aspirations, that animate
an the sons of Earth. With these he would obscur
the radiance of Heaven, beamiug from the thror
of God to illuminate the soul of man.
n American history presents not character con
posed of such mighty contrasts, and yet so app'
aS' reny consistent in every respect Bravery an
selfshness stood in glaring opposition. UnbendiI
c- for'itude and mpatience almost beyond RESTRAIN
ch seemed defying each other. Talents of uupara
- ielef spiendor and the viIest sensuality. pow
20, TO persuade and an equal strength to repel. Ar
e liglous education and atheistic Hfe-nI wei
prominent features in his character, and not on
~ stood scorning and defying each other but iutr
'oh duced disorder and confusion into every deper
as nsnt of bis lifssnd yet his character was so f
It.