The daily gazette., 1874-12-14
From the Wilmington Advertiser.
BAYARD..,J BURR.

Al an artlcle winch appeared IN the
Advertiser of the 21st of November ap-
7'opos of the attack of the New York |
Times upon the late James A.. Bayard,
we said ''mayhap he broke a promise
in voting for Mr.. Jefferson" Since
then we have had an opportunity Oft
fully examining the entire subject and1
will endcavor to present it fully to our
readers. 1t is one of the most in
teresting episodes in American hiss
tory. IaIliH HI.ns
A few months ago an article ap-
-peared in the Gbanshercsat, of this city,
upon this subject, far away above the
research usually met with in hat jour
palN Judging by one or more magazine
articles of MIR. Jenkins we deem it pro-
bable the article we allude to was
from his pen. Therein the. writer
upon, and the misconception of Jeffer-
ard, who was beyond doubt one of the
foremost Statesmen of the infant days
of the Republic.
family rooted, in the land for cen
tury or more, rs our ancestors lived,
loved and fought in an another CONT
partiality show to the people of Della
ware, and we trust to the larger com
munity of the Union, how deep debt
of National gratitude is due by the re-
public, to James A. Bayard, whose cas-
ting vote launched the Cnited States
into Democratic policy, hy electing
Thomas JEFF ;-son its President.
Let us 90 back to those cventful days
Il 4 hAn ls.I
or Democratic party put in nomi nation
for President, Thomas jefferson, for
Vice President Aaron Burr. The Pre-
sident in Office was John Adams. The
organization in opposition to the De
mocracy was theFederal party .Messrs.
Adams and; Pinckney were its can
didatss for President and Vice Presi-
deIt. When the votes were opened it
was found that Jefferson and Burr were
elected having received al equal mum
bcr of woes. Thc constitution then
Iexfsting p.oviding that the T -son hav-
ling the highest number of electoral
votes should be President. This sec.
ition of the Const tuition has since been
lamended. t.. -
In consequence of the tic in the Elcc
ltoral college, the election of the Presi
Ide 1t was thrown into the House of Re
ip. esentatives. Jefferson was 80 obnoxi
!. Gus to the Federalists that they resolv
} ed to elect Bur- President of the Uni
tied States.
The country at that time was tornul
= Thy poiitfGaf tlissensions; party fee4lnl
ran oihigh that an appeal to arms wa
dreaded. The majority of the Fedora
} lmember of Congress were so oviolent il
, their opposition as to prefer the chan
lces of anarchy without Il Presiden
. rather than elect Thomas jefferson Il
the office. Up to this time Mr.. Bayart
neuer had any communication 6ither di
rechy or indirectly qrtM Mr.. Burr IN re-
I lation to the Presidency. This statemen
! is verified by the sanctitytof an oath il
/ a judicial proceeding. Hence the sub
lsequcnt vote of Mr.. Bayard for Jetfer
son involved no breach of PROMISE
Upon the 7th of January 1901 the I'm
selfish, and courageous patriotism o
Q Mr.. Bayard became apparent in let
7 ter to Alexander Hamilton, wherein III
Z says:
Q "The Federal party meet on Friday for tn
purpose of forming a resolution as to their lin
of conduct 1 have not the least doubt of thei
Iagreeing to support Burr.
Their determination VIII not bind me, 10
e though it may cost me n painful struggle I
# disappont the views and wishes of many gei
Is tlemen with whom have been accustomc
:, to act, yet the magnitude of the subject TO
bids the sacrifice of n stronAconviction."
Fl What call you the sentiment of thi
iletter? Sentiments which were col
: creted INTO subsequent action. In th
House of Representatives votes fc
President were counted by States
Therefore Mr.. Bayard held as represeI
tative from Delaware one vote; 1t s
chanced that his vote was castin
one, or in other words the votes of tn
lother states bal llnced each other; th;
orI of Delaware would make a Presiden
with this mighty power in his hant
J. did Mr.. Bayard barga n for place, pr
lift or patronagep No He simply eNa
ted a promise that
= 1. That the public credit shall |
, supported.
tanned.
!, 8. That subordinate officers of Il
tGovernment, employed in mere detail
should not be moved.
The sworn testimony of Senate
ISmith of Maryland; and also like ey
Idence of Mr.. Bayard prove that NJ
jefferson agreed to these points, al
, directed Mr. John Nichols, a memb
J! of the House from Virginia to so s
sure Mr.. Bayard, and then the vo
was taken and Mr.. Jefferson becan
president This is history restil
upon facts tried in the crucible Q
!, Judicial investigation wherein N
''' Bayard and Mr.. Smith were witnt
ses.
1t is impossible to speculate upt
o g. the value of this unseliish vote of De-
o. ware. After events shroud the nam
/. 7 fame and deeds of Aaron Burr, in
nogg fanny. Generations of freemen BILE
the advent of the lofty and libel
d. craftsmanship of Jefferson-whe
lpolIcy was the well'head from viii
flowed prosperity, liberty, and glory
z I..There is no higher example of u
selfish patriotism in the history of :
United States, than that of JAS
: Bayard, rising up superior to his par
=. lbias, in opposition to his political
- sociates, without hope, promise or
. lpectation of reward, assuring by
vote the: peace and well being o
I,o,ntrv Threatened with disorder