The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-20
Political Tragedies.

Tho disputes of party leaders for the
last threc-quarters of century in the
old states would make wonderful
volume, but those Of New York would
surpass all others. As I recur to tho
bitter contest between Burr and Hamil-
ton, L find how many others have flowed
from that early example, and how
strangely history repeats itself. There
was period in the history of New York
filed with duels produced by these con-
tiicts. From 1897 to 1901, and from
1901 to 1904, the utmost violence marked
tho politics Of New York. Not only ink
but blood was freely shed by both
parties. l count dozen serious ducls
in TINT interval of eight years. The
rivals were Alexander Hamilton and
Aaron Burr, but long before the first
was killed by the bullet of the latter
there were other fatal affairs. In 1893
Mr. Henderson killed Mr.. Jones in New
York city for writing a political suuib.
Jefferson and Burr were both Democrats
and III 1900 both received the snme
number of votes for president, and some
OF the fcdcralists, eager to lefent their
ablcst foe, Jefferson, were disposed to
throw their electoral votes for Burr. but
Alexander Hamilton, the federal leader,
bitterly opposed that alternative, and no
doubt his opposition to TINT scheme led
to his death ut tho hands of Burr, less
than four years after. IL trust" wrote
Hamilton, "Ncw England will not so far
lose its head ns to fall into this snare.
there is no doubt that upon every per-
mancnt and virtuous calculation Jetfcrson
is to be preferred. He is by fur not 80
dangerous man, and he has pretcnsions
to character. As to Burr, there is Moth
ing in his favor. His private character
is not defended by his most partial
friends. He is bankrupt beyond re-
dcmption, except by tho plumber Of his
country" And Jefferson was elected
over Burr. Then began the reign of the
Democrats in New York, and Other
duels. First, the death of Philip
Hamilton, the eldest son of the great
tinancier, Alexander Hamilton, in 1902,
i'll political duel with Democrat
named Eacker; then the quarrel between
Chcctham, the Jefferson editor, and
Coleman, the Hamilton editor, which.
resulted i'll the duel which enlcd in
Coleman's death. This was followed by
the fierce conflict between De Witt
Clinton, aftcrwitrd governor of New
York, n Fcderalist, and John Snrtwout,
n Democrat, and n friend Of Burr. They
fired five shots, and Swnrtwout was
terribly wounded. This followed by n
challenge from Dc Witt Clinton to
Senator Dayton of New Jersey, after
ward arranged, and this by another duel
between Robert Swartwout, in which
Richard Rikcr was severely wounded.
Matters were shaping for the mortal
combat between Burr and Hamilton.
Jefferson was nominated for reelection
rs president in 1904, but Burr was do
fcatcd for vice-prcsident, and Governor
Clinton selected as the Democratic
candidate in his place. Indignant at
this new Outrage on his pride, and fail
ing to get the regular Democratic nomi-
nation for governor of New York, Burr
rnn rs stump candidate for that Office
against Morgan Lewis, regular Demo-
cratic candidate. Hamilton was fierce
in his hostility to Burr, and Burr was
badly defeated in the samo year that
saw Jefferson chosen president second
time. There is no doubt that from this
moment Burr resolved to fight Hamilton.
The latter had boen unsparing in his
assaults upon his rival, and Burr, hear
ing of these comments, scnt him n
challenge, and refused all compromise
but IN abjcct apology. This was refused
by Hamilton, and on the 11th Of July,
1904, they fought at Wcchawkon, near
New York, and Hamilton was killed,
leaving a widow and seven children, his
beautiful daughter Angelica, made n
maniac by the fearful tragedy. Such is
the skeleton of New York politics over
three quarters of century ago. The
future, if less tragical, has not been less
quarrclsome. Both parties have been
almost equally afflicted by able and
ambitious rivals. George Clinton, De
| Witt Clinton, Governor Morris, the
Livingstone, the Van Renssclacrs, tho
Hofimans, the Wrights, the Van Burcns,
the Dickinsons, the Stewards, Weeds,
Talmadgcs, the Jays and the Marcys
have been on both sides of various
factions in the Democratic, Federal,
Wing, Anti-masonic md Republican,
parties.
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