The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-02-09

Among the recollections Of my early life
is the occurrence, in 1904. OF the death ol
Gen. Alexander Hamilton. Not in this
city OF his residence alone, but throughout
the country, the shock felt by the intelli-
gence that he had fallen in duel. and by
the weapon Of one who had recently filed
the high Office Of Vice.President of the
United States. was scarcely less severe
than that experienced when our late
President was prostratel by the bullet of
an assassin.
So widespread and deep was the indig
nation felt for Col. Burr for the foul deed
that he was glad for time to become a
wsnderer in foreign land, lest by the
hand of some avenger his own life should
be the forfeit for that which he had taken.
Great as had been the reputation of Col.
| Burr for valuable service in the war of the
revolution, and for the talents displayed
by him in civil life his name was thence
| forth blasted as that Of wanton and wick
ed murderer Instigated by bitter hatred
OF Hamilton for having thwarted his am
bilious project to become President Of the
United States, by not concurring with 9th
er leaders Of the Federal party IN helping
him to obtain the object Of his ambition,
his wrath could only be appeased by the
slaughter OF its victim. The Constitution,
as it then was, made it possible for him
to supplant Thomas Jefferson, the caudi-
date Of the party Which had also given the
same numb r OF votes to Aaron Burr, but
sith a view to placing him IN the office of
Vice-President This equality Of votes
threw the election into the House of Rep
resentatives, where for many days the
strife was maintained before it resulted in
eevating to the Presi iency Thomas Jeffer-
son instead of Aaron Burr. Believing, as
did Burr that his failure was due to the
influence of Hamilton with the Federal
party, when he had completed the period
of his high Office and returned to civil life
he sought and found pretext for challeng-
idg the object Of his hatred to atone for
some alleged offence by meeting him in a
duel, That the challenge should have
been accepted when its moti7e must have
been obvious to his antagonist, illustrates
the force OF the sentiment then prevailing,
especially among those who had been in
military life, in regard to the absurd and
wicked practice Of duelling. Marvellous
indeed, and almost inexplicable does it
now appear that man with the character
OF Gen. Hamilton should not have had the
courage to cast aside the dictates of false
honor and to follow his convictions as TO
the duty he owed to his family, to society.
and, above ALL to his Maker. The history
OF the sad affair is well known. BY long
and persistent practice Burr had attained
degree Of skill that gave him the assur-
ance that his aim would be fatal; while
his victim, by the aimless discharge OF his
piston Iuto tuc hlt, c'iuceu nIn pItFl-
ous determination rather to receive into
his own bosom the fatal missile than to en-
danger the life OF his bitterest enemy.
The funeral obsequies Of one who stood
30 high in the estimation OF his country
men, and who had been 80 conspicuous,
both as a soldier and q statesman, attracted
unusual attention and drew throngs oi
people from the country around as well as
from the city to witness them. About
score Of years only having passed since
the country had emerged from the throes
OF the Revolution it was natural that the |
military display on the occasion should |
hayea prominent place in the arrange
ments.
1t was the fortune Of the writer, though |
himself much younger than others strug- |
Cling for the same, TO obtain favorable |
position for witnessing the procession as
il passed. This was near the old Bowling |
Green at the foot of Broadway. Elevated |
above the multitude he watched for the ad
yancing column. First came the military
companies. With arms reversed and down
cast faces. these marched with slow AMI |
measured tread 10 the stroke OF mufiied |
drums alternating with strains OF mourn
ful music from martial bands. Then APP
peared steed richly caparisoned, led by |
a colored servant iu livery. With no rid |
er, the empty saddle bore on its pommel
the case Of pistols which the deceased Gen
eral had used upon the field Of battle. II
was said, indeed, that the animal itself
WAS the identical war horse, which, in
years gone by. had borne him in the dread
encounter Bu. this is doubtful. The
step aud action Of the one then led before
~ indicated rather that II was only a rep.
resculaiiye Of the war horse Of tie reyola-
tion. After this came the nearse, whether
with nodiing plnmss, n is now the Gus.