Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-06-13

NJ Chouteau. we must get word to
the president"
"The president has long ago been
advised Of your DEATH" said Choteau,
laughing. "All the world has said
goodby to you. No doubt you can read
your own obituaries"
"We bring them better news than
That. What news for us?' asked the
two captains of their host.
"News! The voluble Frenchman
threw up his hands. Nothing but
news! The Burr duer'-
.Yes, we did not know Of it for two
years." said William Clark. 1--WE have
just heard about It.
1.-THE killing of Mr.. Hamilton ended
the career of Colonel Burr" said
Chouteau. But for that we might
have different times here in Mississippi.
He had many frienCs. But you have
heard the last news regarding him?'
It was the dark eye Of Meriwether
Lewis which now compelled his atten-
ton. '.-~'->' ~~--~----~------'~..-
"No? Well, he came out here through
this country once more. He was ar
rested last summer on the Natchez
Trace and carried of to Washington.
The charge is treason against his gov
eminent. The country is full Of It.
His trial is to be at Richmond. Even
now 1t may be going on"
He did not notice the sudden change
in Meriwether Lewis face.
"And all the world Is swimming in
blood across the sea- went on their
garrulous informant. Napoleon and
Great Britain are at war again. Were
it not so one or the other Of them would
be at the gates Of New Orleans; that
Is sure. This country Is still dlscon-
tented. There was much in the plan
Of Colonel Burr to separate this valley
into country of its own, independent
to force a secession from the repub-
lie, even though by war on the flag. In
deed, he was prepared for that, but
now his conspiracy is done. Perhaps,
however, you do not hold with the the
DRY Of Colonel Burr"
Hold with the theory Of Colonel
Burr, sir" exclaimed the deep voice OF
Meriwether Lewis. Hold with 1t? This
Is the first time have known what it
was. 1t was treason! If he had any
join him, that was in treason! He
sought to disrupt this country. Agree
with him? What is this you tell me?
I had never dreamed such thing as
possible Of him."
HE had many friends" went on
Chouteau, very many friends. They
are scattered even now all up and dow.
this country-men who will not give
up their cause. All those men needed
was leader"
But, NJ. Chouteau," rejoined Lewis,
II do not understand cannot! What
Colonel Burr attempted seems actual
treason to this republic. I find it diff
ficult to believe that"
Chouteau shrugged his shoulders.
"There may be two names for it," he
said.
"And every one asked to join the
cause was asked to join in treason to
his country. Is it not so?" Lewis
went on.
'"There may be two names for it."
smiled the other, still struggling.
HE was my friend" said Meriwether
Lewis. II trusted him."
always, I repeat, there are two
names for treason. But what puzzles
me Is this" Chouteau continued. "What
halted the cause, Of Colonel Burr here
point Of success. His organization was
complete; his men were in New Or
leans; he had great lands purchased as
rendezvous below He had under
standings with foreign powers; that Is
sure. Well, then, here is Colonel Burr
at st. Louis. all his plans arranged. He
Is ready to march, to commence his
campaign. to form this valley into
great kingdom, with Mexico as part of
it. He was man able to make plans,
believe me. But of all this there comes
nothing! Why? At the last point
something falled-nO one knew what.
Colonel Burr was eager to hear some
thing Of the expedition of Lewis and
Clark into the west. Why? No one
knows! Does no one know"
The captain did not speak. and
Chouteau presently went on:
"Why did Colonel Burr hesitate?
Why did he give up his plans here?
Why, indeed. did he fail? You ask me
why these things were? say 1t was
because Of you, messieurs, you two
young men. with your Lewis and Clark
expedition! It was you who broke the
Burr conspiracy. for so they call 1t In
these days. Messieurs. that is your
Dews!' ....-
CHAPTER. XVIII.