West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-09-29
STORY OF AARON BURR.
THE MAN WHO FASCINATED BY HIS
PRESENCE AND YET INsPIR-
ED DREAD,

Aaron Burr enjoyed the reputs-
tion Of having delivered the most
impressive speech ever uttered in the
capitol when he took leave of the
senate as its presiding officer. I have
heard a senator who was present
state that nearly every one was in
tears and 30 unnamed that il was
nearly half an hour before they could
recover themselves sufficiently to
choose q president pro tenn, The
characteristios OF Burf's manner ap-
peared to have been elevation and
dignity, a Consciousness OF superior
ity, etc. nothing ol the whining aj-
ulation, those oanting hypocrital
complaints of want OF talents, assur-
ances OF his endsavors to please them
hopes oil their favors, etc. On the
contrary, he told them explicitly
that he had determined to pursue a
conduct which his judgment should
approve, and which should secure
the sfirage OF his own conscience, and
he had never considered who else
should be pleased or displeased, al
though it WAS but Justice on this oc-
casion to thank them for their def
erence and respect 10 bis official con.
duct, the constant and uniform sup
port be had received from every
member, for theirprompt acquies-
cence in all his decisions, and to re-
mark, to their honor, that they had
never descended to a single motion
OF passion or embarrassment and, so
lar ae he was from apologizing for
his defects, he told them that on re-
viewing the decisions he had had
occasion to make, there there was
no one which, on reflection, he was
disposed to vary or reflect.
Burr was unquestionably one OF
the most remarkable men that our
country has produced. The designs
that cloudel his name in his own
day with suspicion and charge of
treason differed very little from the
occupation of Texas by the United
States, the Temporary independence
oi the territory so detached from
Mexico, and then it's final orpora-
tion into this Union, and with his
duel with Hamilton, in which the
great finaDcier fell. Burr was vic.
tim to the barbarous customs of those
days, and he killed a popular favor
ite. Other vices cluster around his
name, but they cannot present him,
even to the eye Of moral judgment,
less than an arch angel fallen.
When boy residing with my pa
rents in New York, at the corner
Of Broadway and Maiden Lane. I
used to see Burr pass every morning
and afternoon, as be went TO and from
his law ofioe. Tall, soldier-like,and
walking with soldier like air, he
attracted attention as he passed along
and people would stop and point him
out to others after he had gone py.
One day / was in the law Office OF
Allen Dye, wheIs my uncle, the late
a len Dodge,of Hamilton, was study
ing h:s profession, aud Burr came in
to inquire about case in which he
was counsel. regarded him With
dread, yet | vas fascinated by the
courtesy oi his manner. the pleasant
expression Of bis bright, keen eyes
and tue gentle winning tones Of his
voice. He was at that tine virtu lily
an outcsst from the circles 10 which
he had once been leading figure.
Very DOOR. he took cases which other
lawyers refused 10 touch, and he Of
ten found it difficult to procure the
necessities Of life. Yet be never lost
bic dignity sud self-rsspect, and ap-
peared, smids! the trials and vicissi-
tudes Of bis old age, to enjoy that
peace md serenity which only a quiz
eC conscience can bestow. He was
undoubtedly the fret political boss
Ct the State Of New York, and it was
by following his advice that Van
Buren passed from Office to off oe, ur-
til he became President VI the w.
ted States.