New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1896-05-20
HISTORIC POLITICAL FEUDS.
The Hamilton Burr Episode and the Cal
houn-Jackson Quarrel.
Blaine's Exciting Fight Against Roscoe
Uonkling of New York. Il

The great democratic leader, Jefferson,
was the first victim of personal en-
nifty, born of the inordinate political
ambition of Aaron Burr, who, foiled in
plot to capture the presidency, was
forced to accept second place to the man
who was his hated rival. But the diff
ference between Burr and Jefferson
scarcely warrants the term feud. That
is reserved for the long battle for the as
cendancy between Burr and the gifted
Revolutionary fnancier, Alexander Ham,
ilton. The latter was the son-in- law of
that brave soldier, Gen. Phillip Schuyler,
who, though staunch federalist himself,
with his party IN control of the New
York legislature, was defeated for the
position Of United States senator by Burr,
Dominal democrat. Hamilton always
maintained that Burr had secured his e.
lection by the use of money and promi-
ses of place and power, and he registered
VOW that he would right the wrong of
which his father-in-l law had been the vic
tim. He succeeded, but in pursuing his
vengeance he met with death. When
Burr's term expired Gen. Schuyler was
sent as his successor.to the senate. Burr
could not stand the inactivity of private
life, and he sought and secured an cleo
ton as member of the assembly of the
state of New York, Then he fastened
his eye upon the governorship as sure
stepping stone to the presidency, which
had once been within his grasp. He en-
tered the race, but was beaten by Nor
gan Lewis, whose campaign was man,
aged by the sagacious Hamilton. This
campaign was marked by scandal and
bitter personalities, and it is reported
that Hamilton was injudicious enough
to indorse some newspaper aspersions UP
on the character of Burr, rejecting upon
the latter's integrity as man and faith
fullness as an official.
This gave Burr the opportunity he had
longed for, and he immediately sent
Hamilton challenge to fight duel.
Hamilton was by no means a coward
but he knew that Burr was one of the
most skillful swordsmen in America and
dead shot to boot. The young states
man temporized, hesitated and attempt
ed to effect reconciliation, but Burr, a.
ristocrat 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 Hamilton as
coward and poltroon, and made him
the butt of his insults upon every occa-
sion that offered. At reception in New
York Burr found his opportunity to in
suit Hamilton so grossly that attempts
at Cancellation were out of the question,
and SO at o'clock on the morning of the
9TH of July, 1904. the adversaries faced
each other on the heights of Weehawken.
Hamilton fell, MORALLY wounded at
the first shot, and with the ending of this
brilliant mans life came Burr's ruin.
The second great feud was between
John G. Calhoun and Andrew Jackson.
Calhoun was Of the aristocratic type,
while Jackson represented the sturdy
Scotch-Irish pioneers, who, hewers of
wood and drawers of water, blazed the
way for civilization in the South and
West. The personal enmity of these
men had its origin in the attitude of CAL
houn as a member of the cabinet when
Jackson was prosecuting the war against
the Seminoles in 1917. It seemed that
Old Hickory in some cases, at least, had
taken to himself the power of Judge, jury
and executioner, and stood not upon the
order OF hanging traitors but hanged
them at once. His was summary pun
ishment in every instance, and he reck-
ened not whether his victim was Indian,
American or foreigner.
Finding that a petty Spanish official
had been guilty of treason, according
to his soldier judgment, Jackson ordered
him t. 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 a bitter attack
on the hero of New Orleans, scoring him
for ignorance and incar acity. This was
during cabinet meeting when every
thing is said and done under the seal of
secrecy, but the walls had ears, or cabi-
net officers "leaked" t..sen as now, for the
story was told to Jackson, who deter
mined to repay the great Southerner by
baking his political ambitions. His OPP
portunity came soon enough. The back
Woodsmen Of Tennessee, proud of their