Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-17
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
A CELEBRATED DUEL.

after his death, by a member of his family,
revives some of the most startling reminis-
cences, as well as opens the history of two
of the most conspicuous characters of the
primitive days of the Republic; viz: Alex
ander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, and which
at this late date, are not without the color
of romance and interest.
In the very limited space allowed us, we
arc unable to refer but very briefly TO those
two distinguished individuals and narrate
only the circumstances of one of the most
celebrated duels that ever occurred in this
country, celebrated, not because there was
any greater degree of courage exhibited, but
rather of the distinguished prominence Of
the parties and of the relations which they
had formerly borne to the public.
1t is not amid the prejudices and jealous
les of the present, but the enlightened judg-
ment of the far off future that the lives OF
public men can be best judged; and follow
ing the spirit that prompted the memorable
remark of the iron-hearted Cromwell to
young Lely, Paint me as am" we would
remark, that from what we have been able
to gather from old pamphlets and documents
and history relating to Burr and Hamilton,
few men have lived who exhibited in o more
remarkable degree those salient points Of
character calculated to enforce attention and
respect, or possessed Of those peculiar traits
of disposition which are sure to inspire the
warm and devoted attachment of personal
friends.
Their lives and characters, both as public
and private citizens, the incidents of their
military career and the important services
rendered to the country assegarded, by gen
eral consent as the common property Of the
nation, Like all great men, they left the
impress of their mighty minds upon an age
which was fraugbt with gigantic emergen-
cies.
Loose in their morals, even to licentiousness,
flor we cannot forget the amour of Jefferson
with Mrs. Reynolds, which he acknowledged,
and that Of Burr with Margaret Moncrieffe,)
the world never presented more striking
combination of greatness and ofdaring cour-
age and lofty ambition than shown by these
two great rivals for popular preferment.
Their struggle for the mastership was war
of two giant ntellects. Both had been hard
students and both rose rapidly into popular
favor, they were rivals in the army, at the
bar and before the public.
In the division of parties Burr. took the
popular or Democratic side, Alexander Ham
ilton became Federalist. Both Of these
men were friends Of liberty, but they differ
ed as TO the the best means of attaining and
securingit Hamilton doubted if any man,
so says his historian, any where or under
any circumstances was fitted for self-govern-
ment, and thought, as reported by Mr.. Mad
ison, that the British Government was the
best in the world, and he doubted much
whether anything short of it would answer
in America Burr recognized the fact that
the war of the Revolution, whose dangers
he had shared, had been the war of the peo-
pie against the crown. He took the side of
the people he was for transferring to the
people all the power of the government in
every department, SO that their will should,
as far as possible, be the animating and con-
trolling spirit of the government.
Each was conscious that himself and the
other were making history; and we cannot
doubt that each was looking, as none had n
better right or reason to look, to the high
est office in the future for it was not then
discovered that great talents and great SER
vices were impcdiments to the first offices in
the nation.
Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury
in 1900, lat the time Jefferson was Secretary
OF State), when his father-in-law, General
Schuyler, became candidate for re-eec-
ton to the United States Senate from the
State of New York, Burr became candi-
date in opposition to him, and in January,
1901 was elected over the combined infu-
ence of Hamilton and Schuyler. 1t will be
remembered that previous to this time,
whilst in the army and each were equally
jealous of the favor of Gen, Washington,
there arose very serious difficulty between
Burr and Hamilton by reason of some las
civious amours. This difficulty had been
smoothed over and their intercourse was
personally kind and respectful until the de-
defeat of Gen. Schuyler. From that day
the old enmity was aroused and they re-
manned through life the most violent and
bitter enemies.
Before the expiration of Burr's term in
the Senate, New York State had become
Federal, and General Philip Schuyler was
elected to succeed him. This was a terrible
blow to Burr's ambition as it was TO his
pride, and it then became the great and
cherished object Of his life to which he de-
voted all of his talents and matchless energy
to reverse this state of things and bring New
York back TO the Democratic party.
In the year 1900, after bitter and pro-
tracted struggle, Burr succeeded in obtain.
ing the nomination for Vice President on
the ticket with Thomas jefferson. The re-
suit OF the election was: jefferson 73, Burr
73, Adams 65, Pinkney Ga, and Jay l. I'm.
der the Constitution as il then stood, it be-
came necessary for the House Of Representa-
tives tn determine which of the two high
est on the returns jefferson or Burr, should
hold the Office of President and which the
Office of Nice-President. Here was one of
those rare opportunities for the display of
that splendid genius and natural executive
ability which Hamilton 50 eminently pos
sessed and which he did not hesitate or scru.
Pile to take advantage of and which fully
sustained old John Adams in the declare
ton, that he was the most unprincipled in
iriguer in America" Pending this election,
Hamilton wrote 10 his Federal friends to
hold out their support 10 Burr but at the
same time that support was not 10 be actu-
ally given TO him. The plot was deep
one and it was the deep seated revenge and
malignity of Hamilton that gave birth to the
idea and nerved his energies and arm in its
execution, regardless of what the very par.
tial lieforiana ~ Iap,stt,,, - - ,....-