The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-27

In the two leading political parties in these modern days, the opinion seems to be that any man will do for the vice.
 Presidency af the United States But as It is few men seek the office, and they who get it are chosen not on account of their ability or distinguished public service. but almost for the sole reason of locali- ty. If the candidate for the first office is from the west, the second goes to the east, in order to maintain an imaginary sectional or geographical balance. This was not the rule, or the practice, at the beginning of the government. The first question was is he fit? and then came the subordinate one of where he resided; In other words, what part of the repub- lie he represented.
 letter written by James Monroe. in 1792. furnishes evidence of the care that was then exercised with respect to the nominee for the second office. Washing tons first term was drawing to a close and with it, of course that of John Ad- ans, the vice-President. The young re- publican party was becoming so strong that 1t resolved to name a candidate against MT. Adams and the ambitious and daring Burr and his friends in New York resolved to capture the prize. Among the southern leaders consulted with regard to expediency of nominating Burr was James Monroe The eminent Virginian did not take to the suggestion very kindly and dispatched the confiden- tial emissary of Burr to James Madison, with letter in which he said:
 Tt appears clear that either from the disincination of Governor Clinton to em- bark in the business, the desire of his friends to keep him where he is in the preference given to Burr, that 'tis the wish of those In that state desirous of change, to rest the prospect on the lat ter; and 1t remains for us to determine what reply shall be given them. My opinion is briefly this that if MT. Burr was in every respect unexceptionable it would be impossible to have him elected. He is too young, if not in point of age. yet upon the public theatre, to admit the possibility of an union in his favor. If formed at all, 1t must be upon the rec ommendation and responsibility of par ticular characters in the several states; and if this could succeed, it would be an unpleasant thing to those who would stand as sponsors. But for an office of this kind 1t could not, nor should it suc- ceed. Some person of more advanced life and stronger standing in public trust IL, one who, in consequence of such service, had given unequivooal proofs of what his principles really were: a person who had marked a line of conduct so decis- lively that you might tell what he would be hereafter by what he had been here tofore. To place this gentleman, or any other of his standing. in the chair of the present incumbent would not be well thought of in America"
 Next to Alaxandar Hamilton Aaron Burr was then the ablest and most bril- liant political leader in New York. dis tnguished at the bar of acknowledged genius, leader and faVorite in society because of his accomplished manners and famous ancestry. Than he no one had contributed to create and solidify the young political party which was so soon to drive the federalists from power, and rule the country under three Presi- dents successively chosen from a single state their terms extending over quar- ter of century. As a political manager he beat Hamilton on his own ground. and laid the foundations of an organiza- ton which has been the most potent po- litical force in the first of American cit les from that day to the present time. Burr finally obtained the vice-Presidency and barely missed the greater office; but at the period in question, the fact that his state stood behind him as reward of his eminent party service did not com mend him to Monroe as the man to sue ceed John Adams, political opponent though Adams was. Burr had not been tried In high office to win the confidence either of his party or of the country, and so he opposed him. Monroe knew what Burr was,' but he knew not what he might become when placed in the high est, or next to the highest responsfbili- ties. And later on Burr's meteoric career fully justified the apprehensions of him who was himself destined to the Presi-