Saint Mary's beacon., 1873-09-18
IFrom Proctors' Bench and Bar. |
BURR IN COURT

In the autumn OF the year 1878 court
held its sistings at Utica, n. Y, which
was largely attended by legal gentlemen
from various parts Of tie State. AS the
second day Of the term was drawing 20 q
close. a gentleman whose appearance in-
dicated that be had just arrived in the
town. entered the court room. and, walk
ing directly 10 the bar, seated himself
among the lawyers. There was something
IN his appearance that attracted attention.
The most casual observer could not fail 20
detect in bis bearing a natural ease, an
indefinite superiority which silently. yet
tru,bfully, evinces familiarity with refined
society. lie had apparently numbered
fifty years. and yet time had lightly
pressed his signet scal'' upon him, for
much Of the vivaeity Of youth still linger-
ed on bis visage. His hair had begun to
turn gray, ard at the side of his head was
slightly bushy, but worn back from his
face and temples. left his broad, high
Forehead qnite bare. giving a classic cast
20 his features. His cheek was pale and
chin. his brow thoughtful and tingcd with
the shadow Of care. perhaps of sorrow,
while his black. brilliant and singularly
fascinating eye lighted up and animated a
face which once seen could never be for
gotten. lie was below the ordinary statue
and his frame was somewhat slender,
though well knit and fair proportioned. -
Finally, the tout ensemble was that Of
gentieman-a man OF intellect. scqulint-
ed with the world. with men. and. with
nj. q penetrating Judge Of character.
As he entered the bar. Martin Van Bu-
rem was in the net Of closing an argument
that occupied the attention Of the court for
several hours Turning to take his seat
he recognized the stranger who was near
him.
"Colonel Burr :" said Van Buren, in a
low voice extending his hand. IL am scry
glad to see you. Our cause was reached
This morning, but. as could not think of
defaul,ing YOU in your absence. which |
believed to be unavoidable. exchanged
our case with the one just submitted. l
hope. Colonel. you are well"
"Qui,e well. thank you. am obliged
W you for this courtesy. did not leave
New York quite as soon as I expected.
and il is long way here. Madame jus.
tice is getting mercurial. | fancy, since
she 10 establishing her temples so far in
the interior of our State. But | suppose
our case is The next to- be tried"
"No. Colonel. am sorry TO say that
there is a preferred csusc of some kind
that il is to be disposed of next" At this
period in the conversation. the voice Of the
crier announced the adjournment of the
court until the mex. morning and the two
lawyers left tho Court House together.
The reader is already aware that the
stranger who has been described WAS
Aaron Burr.--an name eouspiccoas in Amer
ican history. His fall from greatness
peeuniary misfortunes-had compelled him
10 resume the practice Of profession in
which he had few. ifany. rivals. and which
had been to hin. stepping stone to the
highest hoaors.
He was at Utica on this occasion as the
cgpcuent Of Martin Van Buren, in one Of
those great ejcctment suits. which in the
early history Of the State occupied so much
Of the attention Of its courts. Van Buren,
N this time was one Of the ablest lawyers
at the bar-a States Senator aud politi-
eian Of rare political abilities. skilled in the
art Of managing the inclination and pre-
Sudiccs Of the people. welding an influ-
sncs which rendered him n powerful. If
not successful rival Of DeWin Clintou.
Colonel Burr was at this time unknown
VI The reli,ics Of the State and nation
shough he had occupied seat in the Sen.
~le Of the United States. had contended with
Jefferson for the Presidential chair ef the
nation. missing the great prize two or three
votes and winning the Vice Presidency
With little opposition. He was aow mere
" the lawyer. A few years after bis ad-
mission 10 t6e bar. be removed from
Albany to New York city. where he be-
csne successful though friendly, rival
az Alexander Hamilton. Ii has 6ees said
skaa each Of these great men had high,
m nss exalted opinion Of the others tai
sais. To shs strength and facility Of
Hsniltons imagiaatiOss. his fne rhetori.
eal powers. his occasional flashes Of poet
ieal genius. his acute reasoning powers,
and the force cf his defamation, Bur,
Paid The sribuse OF his admiration. The
latter valued himself little upeu his oraso.
-sieal powers. His -pleadings at the ba,
vsss Eore in the style Of convefsasio1
than crsscry-the conversation Of an On.
liehsed. xcll-sducated. thoroughly aisei.
piined lawyer. In reply TO Hamii,oa'.
Hs q n n