Truth. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1901-1908, 1907-02-09

ally the all but successful competitor
of Thomas Jefferson for the presi-
dency of the United States and being
chosen vice-president as a comprom-
ise-al this before lie was As years
of age! 1t argues an alertness of in
tcllcct, fiXcdness of purpose, a grasp
upon men and affairs, genius which
rightfully applied make the man
great and his country greater by rea-
son of his having been given to it.
AS suggested. he nearly became pres
ident, having received as many cleo
troal votes as Jefferson-7o-th cleo
ton being thus thrown into the House
of Representatives VIII oh, after what
must have been as exciting as it was
a momentous and prolonged struR
gle chase the Virginian on the goth
ballot. The Senate then elected Burr
vice-president thus leaving but one
mans life between the New Yorker
and the distinguished station he came
so near being called by other means
to fill. Providence was kind as it ire
Quently is even where it seems to
frown; for Jefferson's life was pre-
served and no disqualifying circum-
stances relating to his office so much
as limited at during the whole of his
incumbency.
Here is where the application of
the adagc figuring above as text
comes in. 1t will be observed that
Burr for the purposes of this article
otherwise also, but that doesn't mat
ter here), is placed in the position of
having been an undesirable quantity
in our national life. In this connec-
ton it might be proper to remark
that few if any children are ever
named Aaron Burr. a very significant
circumstance when fully considered
Such historical characters as Judas
Iscariot. Benedict Arnold and some
others have received similar treat
ment for similar reasons. The Presi-
dents of the United States. however
faulty as to some matters of personal
detail, have uniformly acted as men
OF high character in a high place; no
act of personal dishonor, no scandal
breeding circumstances, no COM
promising transactions involving their
individual character can properly be
laid at their door. Thus much in the
midst of many Affections the nation
has been spared, and it should be, as
it doubtless is, source OF pride to
every real American, native or
adopted, that it is so. While having
many things charged up to us, nation
ally and individually, that we might
wish were not on the books, the per-
sonnet of the Chief Magistracy, the
political fountain head, has remained
untainted. But would this legacy of
the forefathers have been ours it,
through the operation of the govern
mental system which they founded
and passed along for our guidance
and control, the roll of greatest honor
contained the name of Aaron Burr
Hardly. But wasn't it a close shave
when you come to think it over?
Aaron was not to be blamed for
being ambitious; the blame was in
trying to debauch the presidency even
as he had debauched families, in try
ing to climb to the loftiest honor af-
ter trampling honor under his clover
foot, and imagining it could be done
because of numberless crimes which
the people had tolerated. In fine, he
ought to have given some considera
ton to what we of this day call the
limit; and being overthrown at last
it would have been as well if he hat
ended his inglorious career by re
framing from overt treason agains
the country which sheltered him anC
overlooked his infamies. Just thinl
of it, see how it looks, hear how i
eo,,Jc Col pruar aud ouerybpd,