Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-23
From the Savannah Courier.
THE LATE AARON BURR.

his unmarked grave, In the Princeton yaFQ,
ha. called to mind the name of Aaron Burr.
Near fifty eventful years of our country's
history have come and gone since his
strange and brilliant career was run, during
which time many things have occurred to
call his memory from oblivion; but scarce
ly breath of air-certainly not regletful
sigh-has borne 1t from the tomb. His was
not one of the few immortal names that
were not born to die at least, fer the pres
ent, the world has agreed to forget him.
Possibly it means no reflection thereby
1t has also forgotten the lamented John
Wells, Jacob Van Vecthen, and Elisha
Williams, his brilliant competitors at the
bar. Even Hamilton, his target victim. is
no longer remembered.
As for Burr, there are many reasons why
he should have been so soon forgotten.-
Tradition and legend have handed down
his name blackened by every crime. Long
before his death, even when poor, wretch
ed and alone in the world, he stemmed
misfortune's tide, the world had resolved to
forget him. No one spoke to him, nor
seemed to notice him, as engaged in the
active duties of an arduous profession, he
walked the populous streets Of New York.
| If met in the stage coach, no one address
ed him; if on the ferry which conducted
him to the solitary island home, he was not
recognised, In some cases it might have
been because Of his threadbare coat; in
Others, like all men. he was naturally for
gotten, when, his power lost, he had no
more favours to give, and the once brilliant
! light no longer attracted the fitting moths;
but it cannot be disguised that those had
! forgotten, who should have remembered
him; he was stunned in the street; his
friends did not know him; if pointed out
at a distance, it was as one who had the
accursed mark Of Cain upon him.
We do not know sublmer picture than
that presented by this celebrated man, in
the last hours Of declining life. His early
course had been peculiarly successful. He
was a soldier of therevolution, distinguish
ed for courage, and skill, and activity his
reputation had been high at the bar, as a
trustv counsellor and eloquent advocate !;
he had been successful politician, admir-
ed for his tact, and loaded with the lavours
OF the people lie had also been Vice Pres
ident Of the United States, and presided o.
ver the Senate with impartiality and digni-
ty; as he concluded his farewell address,
there was not dry eve in the chamber
Added to all these public honours, happy de-
me>tic relations were The crown ngj jewels Of
his happiness He was proud OF his de-
scent from two Of the best stocks of the
country he was the favoured scion of the
houses of Edward 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. She
was beautiful in person, intelligent III mind
and gifted With lively fancy, and bril-
liant Imagination. These natural gifts had
been cultivated by the most careful educa-
ton. The conversation of the daughter,
when 6 child, was the dei,ht of the father +;
when a matron, his pride. Given TO the
man of her own and fathers choice, who
also stood high in bis native State, as
gentleman, scholar and successful states
man, she was The mother of beautiful son,
not more the parents JOY than the grand
fathers pride. This little pledge that%he
fatnilS should not die and become extinct,
also bore The name Of Aaron Barr. Thus
happy in lis public celations and domestic
circle, connected with the past by proud
and glorious remembranccs with the fu-
ture BY a golden link, what was wanting to
fill up the cup of bis happiness Nothing,
perhaps, save that right judgement OF So
Ion, who counted the poor and obscure,
but pious, Athenian, the happiest of men,
in preference TO the proud and wealthy
Lydian King.
In a moment, in the twinkling Of an eye,
all this happiness was melted down and
became as dross-the golden realities that
already reached through three generations,
became as vision thatis passed. A fear
ful rPncontre drove Aaron Burr, the soldier,
the statesman, an outlaw from the land
A price was set upon his head. He was
hunted from town to town, city to city
He fed in disguise from the face of man.
He was tried for treason, and his fair fame
blackened for ever. Ills small fortune
gradually melted away--he was a wander
er and beggar upon the face of the earth.
His daughter, On her way to visit him and
soften his woes, was seized and barbareRs-
ly murdered by pirates. His, grandchld
was cut down and wiIted in deatll--rela-
tives disowned him. With all this, Aaron
Burr sunk not-he walked erect at eighty
years of age amongst those who despised
him. 1t was Lear facing the storm.
.n1rr D.n1Nc S1nrw AS-S -Thn honor