, 1853-12-10
Aaron Bur-.

has called 10 mind the name Of Aaron
Burr. Near fifty evenlful yeats Of our
counlry's cventful history have come and
gone since his strange and brilliant career
was run, during which many things hive
occurred 10 call his memory from oblivion;
but scarcely breath Of air-ceitainly not a
rPgretlul sish--has borne il from the tomb.
His was one of the few immortal names
that were not born 10 die y; but for the
present, the world has agreed to forget him.
And there are many reasons why he should
have been so soon forgotten. Tradition and
legend have handed down his name black
ened by every crime. Long before his
death, even when poor, wretched and alone
in the world, he stemmed misfortune's
tide, the world had resolved 10 forget him.
No ona spoke of him, nor seemed to netico
him, as engaged in the duties OF an arduous
profession, he walked the popular streets Of
New York. II met in the stage coach no
one addressed him if on the ferry which
conducted him to the solitary island home,
he was not recognized In some cases it
might have been because Of his threadoare
coat in others, like alI men. he was naiu-
rally forgotten, when, his power lost, he
had no more favors to give, and the once
brilliant light no longer attracted the filter
ing moths; but it cannot be disguised that
those had forgotten who should have re-
membered him; he was Stunned in the
street his friends did not know him it
pointed out at a distance, it was IS one who
had the accursed mark Of Cain upon him.
We do not know sublimer picture than
that presented by this celebrated man in
the last hours of declining life His early
course had been peculiarly successful. He
was soldier Of the revolution, distinguish
ed for courage, and skill, and activity his
reputation had been high at The bar, as a
Tusiy counsellor, and eloquent advocate
he had been q successful politician, admired
for his tact, and loaded with the favors of
the people he had also been Vice Presi-
dent OF The United States, and presided
over the Senate with impartiality and Dig
nifty as he concluded his farewell address,
there was not dry eye in The chamber
Added TO all these public honors, happy do
nestle relations were the GROWING Jewels
Of his happiness. He was proud Of his de-
scent from two Of the best stocks Of the {.
country; he was the favored scion Of tho
house of Edwards and Burr. He had the
choicest education that could be afforded,
and his proficiency was such as to make
his nearest and fondest relations rejoice
He had also been happy in his marriage,
the fruit of which was daughter, of whom
any father might have been proud. Sha
was beautiful in person, intelligent in mind,
and gifted with lively fancy and a brilliant
Imagination. These natural gifts had been
cultivated by the most careful educalion.-
The conversation Of the daughter, when a
child, was the delight of the father; when
a maITon, his pride. Given to the man of
her own and her fathers choice, who also
stood high in his native State, as gentle
man; scholar, and successful statesman, she
was the mother of beautiful son, not more
the parenis' joy than the grsndfsihcr's
pride. This little pledge that the family
should not die and become extinct, also
bore the name Of Aaron Burr Thus happy
in his public relations and domestic circle,
connected with the past by proud and gIo
rious remenbances with the future by
golden link, what was wanting 10 fill up the
cup of bis happiness2 Nothing, perhaps,
save lnat llSht judgment OF oolon, who
counted the poor and obscure, but pious
Athenian, the happiest Of men, in prefer
ence 10 the proud and wealthy Lydian King.
In a moment, in the twinkling Of an eye,
all this happiness was melted down and be-
come as dross- the golden realities that
already reached through three generations,
became as vision that is past. A fearful
renconue Chat fatal duel with Hamilton),
drove Aaron Burr, the soldier, the states
man, an outlaw from The land. A price
was set upon his head. He was hunted
from town 10 town, city 10 city. He fed
in disguise from the face Of man. lie vas
tried for treason, and his fair fame b.acken-
ed forever. His small fortune gradually
melted away-he was a wandeTer and beg
gar upon the face of the Garth. His daugh-
Ter, on her way 10 visit him and soften bis
woes, was seized and barbarously murdered
by pirates. His grandchild was cut down
and wilted in death relatives disowned
him. With all this, Aaron Burr sunk not;
he walked erect at eighty years Of age
among those who disposed him. 1t was
Lear facing the storm.