The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-10
Some Famous Quarrels
Between Noted Men.
Washington Was First to Get
Into Such a Contest.
Other Cases In Which Historic Fig
ures Have Been Prominent.

Contemporaneously with the formation
pf political parties In this country per-
onal feuds were born. Washington had
icarcely begun his second term as Presi-
lent before he became aware that he had
nemies, ana his chief opponent was
Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the
Democratic party. In this case, how
over, the animus was entirely imper-
onal. The man who drafted the Dec
araiion OF Independence was not ami
mated by Jealousy OF the Genera who
cd our soldiers in the Revolution. Ii
vas rather a battle OF ideas. Washing
on represented the Federalists, from
Vhom sprang the Wings, the prececes-
sors OF the Republicans OF today. The
Pardinel plank of Federalism was that
be Union OF States represented a no
ion, and that the federal government
was invested with power to alter, amend
pr abrogate the laws Of the various To-
divisions, or states, whenever, in the
Judgment OF the Congress and the ex-
sutive 1t was for the interests of the
whole country to do so. The Jefferson
ans, or Democrats, maintsined that the
bower OF the Federal government was linn
ted by the laws agreed 20 when the indi-
Pidual States ratified the articles of con-
federation and that the States were in ie-
pendent of the general government In the
,Dactment and enforcement OF all laws
not surrendered or nominated in the bond
pf union.
The great Democratic leader was the first
victim of personal emnity, born Of the
.nordinate political ambition of Aaron
Burr, who, foiled in a plot to capture the
Presidency, was forced to accept second
place TO the man who was his hated
Iva Rttt kE lnt.r n..r
and Jefferson scarcely warrants the term
leud. That is reserved for the long bat
10 for the sscepde cy betv teen Burr and
he gifted Revolutionary financier, Alex
tnder Hamilton. The latter was the SON.
In-law OF that brave soldier. Gen. PHILLIP
5chuyler, who, though staunch Fedral-
lst himself, with his party In control OF
he New York Legislature, was defeated
for the position OF U nited States SEN
ator by Burr, nominal Democrat.
Hamilton always maintained, that Burr
had secured his election by tho use Of
money and promises OF place and power,
and he registered vow that he would
right the wrong of which his father-in-
law had been the victim. He succeeded.
but in pursuing his vengeance he met
with death. When Burr's term expired
General Schuyler was sent as his sue
cessor to the Senate. Burr could not
stand the inactivity OF private life, and
~
member of the Assembly OF the state OF
New York. Then he fastened his eye
on tns Governorship as a sure stepping
Stone to the Presidency, which had once
been almost within his grasp. He en-
fered the race but was beaten by Morgan
Lewis, whose campaign was managed by
ths sagaoious Hamilton. This campaign
was marked by scandal ana bitter per-
sonaiities, and it's reported that Hamil-
ton was injudicious enough to inGorse
some newspaper aspersions upon the
character OF Burr, rejecting upon the lat
tsr's integrity as man and faithfulness
rs an official.
This gave Burr the opportunity he had
longed for, and he Immediately sent
Hamilton a challenge to fight a duel
Hamilton was by no means a coward,
but he knew that Burr was one of the
m ost skiifui swordsmen In America, and
pnan temporized, hesitated and attempted
TO effect reconciliation, hut Burr, aris-
.tocrat by birth and associations, chafed
|under the accusations that had been made
during the campaign, and would not
listen to suggestions of compromise or
|apology. He branded Hamilto as cow
|srd and poltroon, and made him the
'butt Of his insults upon every occasion
that offered. At reception In New York
IBurr found his opportunity 10 insult
Hamilton so grossly that attempts at con-
|ciliation were out OF the question, and so
|nt 2 O'Clock on the morning Of the 7th of
July, 1904, the adversaries faced each
|other on the heights Of Weehawken.
Hamilton fell, morally wounded, at the
first shot, aud with the ending OF this
brilliant mans life came Bu-r's ruin.
The second great feud was between
|Johr G. Calhoun and Andrew Jackson.
calhoun was of the aristocratic type,
while Jackson represented tho sturdy
|scotch-lrish pioneers, who, bewers OF
wood and drawers OF water, bIazed the
|way for civilization in the South and
West. The personal enrnity of these great
|men had It's origin in the attitude OF
calhoun as member Of the Cabinet when
Jackson was prosecuting the war against
|tbe Seminoles in 1917. II seems that Old
|Hicko kory, in some cases at least, had taken
TO himself the power OF Judge, jury and
|executioner, and stood not upon the order
|of banging traitors, but hanged them at
|once. His was summary punishment in
every instance, and he rocked not whet her
his victim was Indian, American or for
|eigner.
Finding that petty Spanish official
bad been guilty of treason, according to
his soldier Judgment, Jackson ordered
him to be strung up TO the nearest tree.
This led TO difficulties and danger OF war
with Spain. During the discussion OF
this case Calhoun made bitter attack on
the hero OF New Orleans, scoring him for
Ignorance and iucapacity. This was dur
ing Ca binet meeting when everything is
said and done under the seal OF secrecy,
but dozen years later, through ex-Secre-
tary OF the Treasury Crawford, the story
was told 20 jackson, who determined 20
repay the great Soutnern by baking his
political am EDITIONS. His opportunity
came soon enough. The beok-woodsmen
of Tennessee, proud Of their rough and
ready soldier, elected him 10 the United
States Senate In 1921, and the Legislature
conferred upon him greater honor, for
they at the same time gave him unani-
nous endorsement for tho Democratic
presidential nomination..
The great leaders I'm Washington
laughed loudly and long when this bit of
news reached them, ana one OF the party
organs gave place 10 satirical eulogy OF
"old leather breeCl a. the hack wooda