The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-09
Duel BETWEEN BURR and HAMILTON


FROM MERWIN'
As the end of Burr's term in the
Vice Presidents chair approached II
became apparent that he could not
secure q denomination, so completely
had his reputation been undermined
by his enemies. he applied to Mr.
Jefferson for an appointment - for
eign minister, and was refused. In
this situation. Burr and his friends
determined upon an appeal to the
people Of New York. In 1904 the
regular" Republican nominee for
governor in the state was Morgan
Lewis, . connection of the Clintons.
Burr ran rs IN Independent candi-
date. The Federal party was now 60
shattered that it had no candidate Of
its own and the question was whether
the Federalists should vote for Nor.
gan or Burr. Burr, Is being much
less . partisan, would have been their
natural choice, but Hamilton once
again threw the weight Of his great
influence against him. "Hamilton,"
wrote Burr, February 16, 1904, "is
intriguing for any candidate who can
have . chance against A. B. He
would doubtless become the advocate
even of De Witt Clinton if he should
be the opponent"
For nearly twenty years Burr and
Hamilton had been engaged IN a polit-
ical duel, and during all that time
Hamilton had been unsparing in his
condemnation of Burr's character and
motives. It is surprising-and it
shows how far gentlemanly courtesy
and selfrestraint will go-that the
two men had always remained on good
terms. In the last year of his life
Hamilton wrote to . friend, "If there
is man in the world I ought to hate
it is jefferson; with Burr I have
always been personally WE'LL" In the
year 1900, in one of those very denun-
ciatory letters to his friend Bayard,
Hamilton remarked that he had "din-
ed with Burr lately" meaning, appar-
emily, that he had dined at Burr's own
table. Already there had been sew
eral duels between Burr's. adherents
and his enemies-one in particular
between Dewitt Clinton and John
Swartwout, in which Swartwout, after
being twice wounded, demanded that
the duel should still 20 on; and it
would have done so had not the sur
geons interfered. Burr had been
tainted with his tame submission to
Hamilton's invectives. 1t was an age
of dueling and both Burr and Hamil-
ton were military men.
There is a story that Burr and his
henchmen decided, in cold blood, that
Hamilton must be killed for political
reasons; but there is no proof Of it,
and it is not in accordance with Burr's
character. No man was more care.
less or forgiving of injuries, none, per-
haps, so unforgiving Of insults. Pride
was the predominant trait of his char
acter. 1t is certain that Burr had
already once, if net twice, required an
explanation of Hamilton. Burr 90
stated after the duel, and Hamilton
himself wrote at this time that he "was
not conscious that any charges which
are in circulation, to the prejudice Of
Colonel Burr, have originated with
him, except one, which may have been
so considered, and which has long
since been fully explained between
Colonel Burr and himself"
During the recent campaign there
had been published letter written by
DR.. C. D. Cooper, containing the fol.
lowing paragraphs: General Hamil'
ton and Judge Kent have declared, in
substance, that they looked upon Mr..
Burr to be q dangerous man, and one
who ought not to be trusted with the
reins of government. = /
could detail to you q still more des'
picable opinion which General Hamil'
ton has expressed of Mr.. Burr. This
letter was no cause for . duel, but il
furnished . sufficient occasion for the
cause which had preceded it, and on
June Is, 1904, Burr sent to Hamilton
the following note:
"Sir, 1 send for your perusal . letter
signed Charles d. Cooper, which,
though apparently published some
| time ago, has but very recently come