Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-15

AARON BURR was the most dramatic
"A figure in American history. Although
small of stature, he possessed a magnet
ism and fascination which both men and
women found irresistible. He was en-
dowed with the finest gifts of nature and
of fortune, a dauntless resolution and
cool self-possesslon that made him
forceful character in whatever enterprise
he elected to embark.
He was the son of the president of
Princeton College and grandson of the
eminent Jonathan Edwards. At sixteen
he was a graduate of Princeton, and at
nineteen performed in the Revolutionary
War acts of bravery for which he was
rewarded with the rank of major. At
thirty-five he was United States Senator
from New York. At forty-five he was
Vice President of the United States,
while holding which office he killed Alex
ander Hamilton in a duel, an event which
blasted his political prospects.
For more than a century our school
children have been taught to believe
that Aaron Burr was the incarnation of
treachery and intrigue. According to
popular history, Burr, after retiring from
the vice presidency embarked upon GER
tain mysterious western enterprises, it
being suspected that he purposed to col
lect a body Of followers, and, after con-
quering Texas and Mexico, establish in
Latin-America republic or a kingdom
of which he should be the head. A more
serious charge against him was that he
hoped also to seduce certain of the far
western States away from the Union and
amalgamate them with his new empire,
whose capital was to be established at
New Orleans. This vast project, 1t is
alleged. jefferson frustrated after being
warned of the conspiracy. The result
was Burr's trial for treason, of which
charge he was acquitted at the sensa-
tional trial which, at Richmond, Va,
lasted for six months.
Some historians, who in recent years
have taken the pains TO delve into the
records of those dramatic times, have
come TO the conclusion that Aaron Burr
was more sinned against than shining
was victim rather than traitor. Accord
ing TO his champions, Burr's great popu-
larity with the people and his influence
ever his party's leaders aroused the bit.
ter jealousy of Thomas Jefferson when
he tied with the latter for the presidency.
Rur being afterward dubbed the heir
apparent" jefferson feared that a second
presidential term might be denied him
and thereupon determined TO drive his
chief rival out OF politics.
Burr's avowed purpose TO conquer
Texas and make himself President there
of Gust as Sam Houston did in later
years. without outraging his brother
Americans), and, selling upon his prep
arations to this end, Jefferson is believed
by some authorities TO have distorted
Burr's real purpose. General James vii
kInson. whom jefferson used TO betray
Burr. was without doubt an unscrupu
lous adventurer, who. after serving his
| apprenticeship under Benedict Arnold
had been a paid spy OF Spain. although
serving In command OF our army upor
the frontier.
Burr's champions have maintained tha
the real provocation for Jefferson's sys
tsmatic persecution was the latter's dis
ooyery that his enemies had in theil
possession dispositions detailing an in
trigue with the Federalists by which h,
Uefferson) had secured the election agains
| Burr.
Whatever their motives. the proceed
J ings taken thereafter against Burr were