Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-04-20
THE LATE AARON BURR.


The ouiet erection of tombstone over his
unmarked grave, in the Princeton yard, has
called 10 mind the name Of Aaron Burr Near
fifty eyentful years of our country's history
have come and gone since his strange and brill
liant career was run, during which time many
things have occurred to call his memory from
oblivion but scarcely breath of air-certain-
ly not regretful sigh-has borne it from the
tomb. His was not one of the few immortal
names that were not born to die; at least for
the present, the world has agreed to forget him.
Possibly il means no reflection thereby. Ii 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 black
ened by every crime. Long before his DEATH
even when, poor, wretched and alone in the
world, he stemmed msfortune'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 popuous streets of New York. If
met in the stage coach, no one addressed him ;
if on the ferry which conducted him to the SOL
itary island home, he was not recognized. In
some cases it might have been because Of his
threadbare coat in others, like all men, he was
naturally forgotten, when, his power lost, he
had no more favors to give, and the once brill
liant light no longer attracted the fitting moths
but it cannot be disguised that those had forgot
ten, 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 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, distinguished for courage, and
skill, and activity; his reputation had been high
ut the bar, as trusty couselor and eloquent
advocate; he had been a successful politician,
admired for his tact, and loaded with the favors
of the people; he had also been Vice President
of the United States, and presided over the Sen
ate with impartiality and dignity as he conclu-
ded his farewell address, there was not dry
eye in the chamber. Added to all these public
honors, happy domestic relations were the
browning Jewels of his happiness. He was
proud of his descent from two of the best
stocks of the country he was the favored 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 in mind, and gifted with
lively fancy and brilliant Imagination. These
natural gifts had been cultivated by the most
careful education. The conversation of the
daughter, when a child, was the delight of the
father; when matron, his pride. Given to the
man of her own and her fathers choice who al
so stood high in his native State, as gentle
man, scholar, and successful statesman, she was
the mother of beautiful son, not more the
parents Joy than the grandfathers 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 rea-
tons and domestic circle, connected with the
past by proud and glorious remembrances, with
the future by golden link, what was wanting
to fill up the cup of his happiness! Nothing
perhaps, save that right judgment of Solomon,
who counted the poor and obscure, but pious
Athenian, the happiest of men, in preference to
the proud and wealthy Lydian King.
In 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 rs a vision
that is passed A fearful rencontre drove Aaron
Burr, the soldier, the statesman, an outlaw from
the land. price was set upon his head. He
was hunted from town to town. He fled in dis
guise from the face of man. He was tried for
treason, and his fair fame was blackened forev-
er. His small fortune gradually melted away
he was wanderer and beggar upon the face of
the earth. His daughter, on her way to visit
him and soften his woes was seized and bar
barously murdered by pirates His grandchild
was cut down and wted in death-relatves
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.
FocUs-A little girl, says the Knickerbocker,
had seen her brother playing with his burning. |