An American Patrician, or The Story of Aaron Burr: IllustratedLewis, Alfred Henry
History
An American Patrician, or The Story of Aaron Burr: Illustrated
Lewis, Alfred Henry
Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836
Not that his stir-making is to go unopposed. No sooner is Aaron in his
chair, than son-in-law Hamilton is upon him verbally; even while those
approving ones are admiringly buzzing, he begins to talk. His tones
are high and patronizing, his manner condescending. He speaks to Aaron
direct, and not to the audience. He will do his best, he explains, to be
tolerant, for he has heard that Aaron is new to the town. None the less,
he must ask that daring person to bear his newness more in mind. He
himself, he says, cannot escape the feeling that one who is no better
than a stranger, an interloper, might with a nice propriety remain
silent on occasions such as this. Son-in-law Hamilton ends by declaring
that the position taken by Aaron, on this subject of Tories and what
shall be their rights, is un-American. He, himself, has fought for the
Revolution; but, now it is ended, he holds that gentlemen of honor and
liberality will not be guided by the ugly clamor of partisans, who would
make the unending punishment of Tories a virtue and call it patriotism.
He fears that Aaron misunderstands the sentiment of those among whom he
has pitched his tent, congratulates him on a youth that offers an excuse
for the rashness of his expressions, and hopes that he may live to gain
a better wisdom. Son-in-law Hamilton does himself proud, and the rusty
old general erects his pleased crest, to find himself so handsomely
defended.
The rusty general exhibits both surprise and anger, when the rebuked
Aaron again signifies a desire to be heard. This time Aaron, following
that orator’s example,-talks not to the audience but son-in-law Hamilton
himself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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