The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-01-10
PREPARING For THE EXPEDITION.

in Ohio.
PREPARING FOR THE EXPEDITION.
Because the conspiracy of Aaron Burr
failed, does not render his schemes any the
less interesting or important to the student
of history. Had Burr succeeded, aud few
realize how near he came to success, the
map of the United States would have pre-
scented quite Il different appearance from
what it does to-day. The insects which
aSSai fruit while young are far more in
furious than those which attack it when
matured. In 1906 the Constitution was n
young and tender bud, liable to wither Mt
a touch. Some who had helped frame it
were loud in their predictions of failure,
and prOphesied an amendment or speedy
dissolution. 1t had but few friends and
many enemies. No white heat of mighty
rebellion had yet tested its strength In
fact, a Republic was a novelty in the New
World, while dependencies, empires and
monarchieS Were the standard. The Eng
lish party in America, for there existed
some of the Tory element down TO 1872, be-
lieved, and hoped, that after few years
failure to govern themselves, the United
States would return to their former ale
glance to Great Britain.
Washington, that greatest Of all Repub
Ecans, statesmen and patriots, was dead.
Burr had slain Hamilton, old patriots
were passing away rapidly, and the couni
try was still to great extent under the
influence of the English.
Aaron Burr was the first to tire Of ''the
experiment of republics" His disappoint-
ment caused him to hate free institutions.
The unseifsh patriotism of a Washington,
Jeffersonsor Hamilton was a stranger in
his breast. Ambition was the great motor
that moved and guided his actions, nodded
hisSdestiny and wrought his ruin. Aaron
RTfrf a livIur uafala af infaili
geflce and brilliance without moral or re-
ligious force. Had he studied the Bible
more and Voltaire less, he would not have
been ike mighty steamer on the ocean
without a helm, possessing wonderful pow
ers, which were as liable to drive it on the
rocks as to port of safety.
1t was not love of liberty that made
Burr plan the conquest of Mexico. 1t was
no dream of republicaniZiDg an oppressed
people that prompted his enterprise. He
had had enough OF republics, and desDised
a Government in the hands OF the people.
A Government by the people and for the
people will not admit of the keen manipu-
lations that Government in the hands of
few will. An INSCRIPTIONS knaye may
deceive silly King or Queen, or his Cabi-
net, but in q republic he cannot long de-
ceive a whole nation. Burr wanted arb-
trary power, wealth and splendor. His
friends say it was his design to conquer
ITOu4 lut FNBalidIus. 10 eNldbllSt
that line country 4 strong, liberal, cnlight-
ened Government; to place himself at the
head of il, and, if fortune favored to ex-
tirpate the Spanish power on the CONT
nent That done, it would be for the
States west of the Alleghanics, in the ex-
ercise of their rights as independent pow
ers, TO decide whether they would remain
in the Union or join the new empire. Burr
was an advocate Of the dangerous doctrine
of State supremacy long before the day OF
Calhoun. If the Western States chose TO
join his empire. it was the conspiratOrs
design 10 make New Orleans his Capt.
tai, whence he would rule all the Mis-
sissippi Valley and Pacific Slope If the
States preferred to remain in the Union
the City Of Mexico would be the center
and seat of his Government. The details
OF Burr's scheme were not wholly known,
even 10 himself. His first and prime OBJ
Ject was the conquest of Mexico, the es-
Enlistment of a dynasty with himself as
Emperor, the formation OF court, which
TheOdOsia should adorn with her beauty
and enliYen with her talent, and where her
son should figure as heir apparent TO the
throne-these were the dreams of the
American Catiline, his objects thoughts
and endeayors during the year 1906.
For many weary months his plans wait
ed, huctuated between success and failure
while he waited the turn which affairs
IL
If war broke out, nothing would be easier
than 10 organize an expedition against
Mexico. Thousands of adventurous spirits
would hasten to enroll themselves under
the banner of the popular chief, and the
people of Mexico were known to be disaf-
1ected. Burr had received assurances that
the priests would be passive il the Church
and its possessions were held inviolable
From certain commanders OF the Spanish
militia, II Is claimed, he had obtained
promises that the moment he should an
pear IN Texas with a respectable body Of
troops, they would order out their forces
and join him en- masse. Should there be
but beginning of war, or even a plaus-
lble show of IL, he saw his way clear to
the halls and throne of the Montezumas.
But war had not yet been declared, and
it might be delayed. In order to provide
for both these contingencies, q large pur-
chase OF land was contemplated far to the
Southwest, beyond the Mississippi. On the
banks of the Washita, branch of Red
River: This tract lay wholly in what is
now the Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma.
There the choice spirits of the expedition
would have, at least a rendezvous and a
refuge. There the chief could, il neces-
sary, fcrtify and maintain a position,
There, If the grand scheme should fail or
be abandoned, he would found q colony
composed of persons OF wealth, education,
refinement and talent, who would embark
capital in the most productive region of
the Southwest, and form the most bril-
hant, accomplished and enlightened So
ciety on the continent. In July, 1906. this
purchase was made. 1t comprised 400, 900
acres, for which Burr was to pay $50, 900,
the hrst instalment of which-S5, 000-he
did actually pay. In this purchase several
persons participated, most of whom were
relatives or ardent admirers Of th. chief