The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-28

A Pleasing Picture or the Man who
Killed Alexander Hamilton.
Ben Percy Pooe. 90.
Aaron Burr enjoyed the reputation O
having delivered the most impressive
speech ever uttered in the Capitol, wher
he took leave Of the Senate as It's presiding
officer. have heard Senator who wai
present state that nearly everyone was IN
tears and 50 unnamed that 1t was nearly
half an hour before they could recover
themselves sufficiently to choose Presi.
dent pro TEN. The characteristics of Vice
President Burr's manner appeared to have
been elevation and dignity, conscious
ness Of superiority, etc; nothing OF the
whining adulation; those canting hypo-
critical complaints Of want Of talent assur-
ance Of his endeayon to please them,
hopes OF their favors, etc. On the
contrary, he told them explicitly
that he had determined 10 pursue con-
duct which his judgment should approve,
and which should secure the suffrage OF his
own conscience, andlhe had never con-
sidered who else should be pleased or
displeased, although II was but Justice on
this occasion 10 thank them for their defer
ence and respect TO his official conduct,
the constant and uniform support he had
received from every member, for their
prompt acquiescence in his decisions, and
to remark, TO their honor, that they had
never descended to single motion Of pa
sion OF embarrassment; and 80 far rs h1
was from apologizing for his defects, he
told them that on reviewing the decisions
h hld ba l &C, itn to make, there was n,
one which, on reflection, he was dispose
10 vary or retract,
Burr was unquestionably one Of the
ever produced. The designs which cloud
ed his name in his own day with, the sue
picion and charge OF treasoa differed very
little from the occupation OF Texas by Cit.
zens OF the United States, the temporary
independence of the territory so detached
from Mexico, and then It's final incorpora-
ton into this Union, and with his duel
with Hamilton, in which the great fuan-
cier fell. Burr was q victim TO the barbar-
GUS customs Of those days, and he killed a
popular favorite. Other vices cluster
around bis name, but they cannot present
him, even to the eye OF moral judgment, at
less than an "archangel fallen"
When boy, residing with my parents in
New York, at the corner Of Maiden Lane
and Broadway, I used to see Burr pass
every morning and afternoon, as he went
to and from his law Office Tall, soldier
like, and walking with soldier.like air, he
attracted attention as he passed along, and
people would stop and point him out 10 9th
ers after he had gone by. One day was
in the law office Of Allen Dye, where
my uncle, the late Allen Dodge, Of Hamil.
ton, was studying his profession, and Burr
came in to inquire about case in which
he. was COUNSEL l regarded him with
dread, yet ! was fascinated by the courtesy
Of his manner, the pleasant expression oil
his bright, keen eyes, and the gentle, win
ming tones OF his voice. He was at that
time virtually an outcast from the circles
n which he had once been leading figure.
Very poor, he took cases which other law
yeIs refused 10 touch, and he often found
It difficult to procure the necessities ollie.
Yet he never lost his dignity and self
respect, and appeared amidst the trials and
vicissitudes OF his old age to enjoy that
peace and serenity which only quiet con.
science can bestow. He was, undoubtedly,
the first political "boss" OF the State Of New
York, and it was by following his advice
thar Van Buren, passed from Office to Office,
until he became President OF the United
States. n.ta So "