The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-09

anything Ike the nbre OF their ancestors IL may be
possible that, through the mellow haze of time, we
give the ancens credit for greater mental grasp higher
moral training and sterner virtue than the moderns
The of the saying 'Tho evil that do lives
after them the good oft inferred with their bones
holds true in the estimate Americans are in the habit of
making of the early patriots. Politics and politicians
have fallen far in the virtue and excellence that
marked tho opening chapters Of the nations history
that we gladly ascend the of and admire
the limpid purity of the fountain head
Hamilton, though leaving behind him offspring
who have made their mark the public records of this
generation, gave citizens, who, in the duties of life
the example of high and irreproachabe character and
all that goes to ornament and elevate society," exceed
The recent demise of Alexander Hamilton second son
OF the great statesman must awaken universal interest
in all that concerned and in all who attached by
ties of blood who fills so distinguished place in
the roll OF Americas legion Of heroes. And Hamilton
a hero, though he great laurels by the
sword. He will, however, abide in history with the
more rugged warriors of the Revolution, because no
fought successfully for the object as they did
though with different weapons and in another field
strcw his ashes o the wind,
Whose voice or sword has served mankind;
And is he dead whose glorious mind
Iifts thine on hgh'
Is die.
And now that the centennial Is upon us no moro
appropriate theme could be revived than the memories
and virtues OF the first patriots People naturally
inquisitivo about
THE DESCENDANTS OF GREAT
There is pardonabe curiosity to discover If they in
her any of the characteristics their fathers America
is not without being able to show many instances of the
transmission from generation generation of high
lily traits in mind and character. Though on the other
hand it be admitted that in the majority OF cases
q elf
with the original possessor. In no country
on the globe does the son of a great
man, if not in degree great himself sink so
quickly out of sight The death Of the late Alexander
Hamilton and the announcement that he the eldest
of the famous victim of Aaron Burr's pistol must
have been novel surprise to great many people, but
it awakened uncommon interest II recalled the mem
ory OF the senior Hamton's brief htful and brilliant
career, around which romance and touching in
terest clustered than that of any other identified
with the Revolution From being the bosom friend Of
Washington to being the victim Of Aaron Burr's
fatal weapon, the interest in his life for the
reader OF American history deepens with the
progress of the story and reaches ten
der-toncd climax with the recital of his dying
words The melancholy ending on the heights of Wee
hawkcn OF career promising, and in quarrel that
the insane code of the time demanded should be arb
trated in blood alone will lose its tragic interest
for Americans When his military and political services
forgotten the story Of that duel will be remembered
II is touching TO recall incident OF that unfortunate
transaction illustrative of the cool character the
along with the tender and earnest soicude OF the
parent
HAMrLroS's
Two days before he killed he drew up his will
leaving all TO his wife, TO whom he thus addressed him
self
happen he mt
OF my debts my dear children IL they any Of
without hesitation commit to their decacy wish which
y my though % that have too far
on this Ss s claim y sS
ought This my request; n unfavora6e event Of
spccul and tender attention is duty all the
which they will feel
The night just before the meeting no drew up a long
paper in part Of which, referring to the duel with
Burr he snys:-'If interview is conducted in the
usual manner and it plcases God TO give the oppor-
tunty to throw away my first fire, and have thoughts
OF reserving my second fire and thus giving Colo
mel Burr double opportunity to pause and reflect"
Burr wrote equally long farewell letter his dear
Theodosa" Next year will be celebrated the conte-
nary Of General Schuyer's in checking the ad
vance OF Burgoyne's army Then tho fact will be re-
membcred that just about the time the jeaously of
making the heart Of the noble Schuyler sore
with irritation the balm to his wounded spirit came
in the occurrence Of the marriage OF his daughter with
Alexander Hamilton, then on the staff of General
Washington
THE
OF Hamilton-John c.. James A. and Philip Hamilton.
aged respectively eighty five eighty eight and seventy
three yearsve in different parts of the country; the
first in Twentieth street. New York. the second at Irv.
ngton, the Hudson, and the last at Poughkeepsie
The deceased brother lived unostentatously No SO
Clinton place Wherever they have lived report has
q hoy hova nh
ruded themselves public notice. but the contrary
have studously avoided notice and lived the lives OF
quiet unpretcnding citizens dischargng their duties as
such In modest and unattractvo fashion. All the
brothers were men of splendid physique-men Of the
olden typegivcn TO all kinds Of manly exercises open
air recreation temperate habits of life and cheerful ways
Of thinking
HERALD representative proceeding in the hot
forenoon Of Saturday along the main street Of Pough
kccpsic asking here and there Of passing countryuan
without for the residence OF Mr. Philip Hamil-
ton, when he received kindly hint 10 'cal Bill
Norris the auconccr" and the encouraging addition,
Gle knows everybody ana who he don't know Amt
worth knowing" Bill himself was within carshot at
the time and received the compliment with smile of
satisfaction. Bill certainly looked he might
everybody worth knowing-a little dapper man, with
fashionable side whiskcrs, white hat tilted his
left eyebrow his right thumb screwed into an armhole
of his vest and pair Of bright, pnkish brown eyes,
searching for acquaintance among the passcrs-by Bill
appeared TO wish he knew the whole world and the
whole world knew him.
"Of course ! know old Mt Hamilton, and feel proud
Of his acquaintance, responded Mr. Morris with a con
siderable air OF Importance, in answer to the inquiry
/ TO his knowledge of the gentleman who being
sought for 'YOu must know sir, he continued 1.-THE
Hanltons the most arisOcratic family in this
try but old Mr. Hamilton here don't appreciate himself
That's what's the matter; he don't appreciate himself
And here the little auctionec put his left thumb In tho
other armhOIe Of his vest, shook his hat back his
head closed eye and fixed the other the weather
! yanc Of a church IN the distance
'You mean, suppose, Mr.. Morris, that ho puts on
airsYN
no that Amt IT, lie couldn't put 'em on IL he
| wanted TO- but he's too much Of democrat talks TO
people he hadn't ought to talk to and goes around like
any ordinary man"
/ . ILL., ..... hnnh Iintnd Innrn