Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-01-13
A Famous Political Duel.

- dAASao L SAAtiSdl SuSl-
1t is one Of the most gratifying feat
ures of advancing civilization that the
brutal and wicked custom of dueling
has almost entirely died out. There
are but few countries where it is still
practiced at all; and in those where the
custom still fingers. duels are much
more rare than they formerly were.
Iu the United States it is very seldom
that We hear of one OF these half savage
combats being fought. Sixty or sew
eniy years ago. however. the custom was
lamentably frequent one. both in our
own and in other lands. Nor was it
confined to the worst men. On the
contrary, statesmen, writer's, and SOL
diers of the highest character, whose
lives were otherwise unstained, used to
submit to the "code of honor" how.
ever much their condolences revolted
against it.
When we think that such men as
Wellington, Peel. Pitt and Canning in
England. Lamartine and Theirs in
france, and Jackson, Clay, Randolph,
Hamilton, and Decatur in this country
ought duels, We are able to measure
:be great change for the better in th is
respect that has since come over the
world.
The most tragic and on many &C.
counts the saddest duel ever fought on
American coil was that which took
place. seventy.tive years ago, between
Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
The high position and fame of the two
combatants. the great parts they had
played. and the important offices they
had filled, the devoted love existing
between them and their families, their
social attractions. all combined to make
the event q terrible and thrilling one.
Hamilton and Burr had long been
bitter rivals in politics. They were
leaders Of hostile parties. between
whom, in their State OF New York,
there had been many hot contests.
Hamilton had been the trusted friend
Of Washington. He had had much
influence in framing our national Con.
stitution. and had been the first 8 sore.
tary of the Treasury under it.
At the time Of the fatal duel he was
but forty seven years old, and in the
full prime of life and vigor: and though
he then held no public Office. his pros
poets OF future promotion were brill
liant. There never lived in this coun-
try public man more devotedly loved
by larger circle of friends than Alex
ander II amilton.
Aaron Burr was. at the time of the
duel, Vice President OF the Uni'ed
States. Three years before. be had
received as many votes as Jefferson for
the Presidency, and had come very
near reaching that summit of political
ambition. He was far less beloved
than Hamilton, but was a brilliant, en-
ergetic man, who welded great polit,
icsl power.
The immediate cause of the duel was
some bitter expressions which Hamil.
ton hsd used concerning Burr, and
which had reached Burr's ears. Among
other things, it was reported that
Hamilton had applied the word "des-
picable to his rival. and had spoken
of him as "a dangerous man."
Ofcourse. this was not the first of the
quarrel. Each had been wont to speak
in unsparing terms of hostility Of the
other for many years. But now Burr
seems to have resolved to bring their
enmity to an issue. He called Hamil-
ton to an account for the words he was
said to have used. Hamilton, whether
he had used them or not, Was too proud
to retract them on Burr's demand.
After fruitless correspondence. Burr
sent challenge to Hamilton, which
Hamilton, though he revolted from the
idea. Of duel, accepted.
Some time. however. elapsed between
the challenge and the combat. Mean
while, each man devoted himself to ar
ranging his worldly affairs. Hamilton
appeared as an advocate in court, and
was as brilliant and persuasive as ever.
No one would have guessed that his
very life was so soon to be at stake.
Burr. too, appeared everywhere, as
cool and calm as if no such doom
threatened him.
On one occasion, few days before
the duel, Hamilton and Burr met at y
festsl board. 1t was at q Fourth of
July banquet over which Hamilton pre-
sided. They sat quite near each other
at the table, but did not speak. Dur
ing the banquet, Hamilton sang q
song in bis merriest mood; and while
he did so, Burr sat aud gszed into his
face.
1t was at sunrise on a clear, bright.
lovely summer morning-the morning
Of July II, lS04-that q boat containing