Dueling: The Old Fashioned Way To Settle Things

THE FOLLOWING IS AN UPDATED ENCORE TIM MOORE BLOG:

With the showdown between Democrats and Republicans over raising the debt ceiling coming to a head, it sometimes seems as though our government is fundamentally flawed. Ideologically “locked in”, Republican lawmakers have made too many promises to the Tea Party to retreat into a compromise position.

What does it all mean?

Well, today's drama has yet to be played out, but some would argue that our forefathers had it right when they simply dropped the rhetoric and pulled out the pistols! That’s what happened on this date in 1804, when the famous Burr-Hamilton duel took place.

Alexander Hamilton had it coming to him, they say.

In a time where dueling was legal—and a somewhat accepted means of defending your honor, Hamilton should perhaps have known that his libelous and slanderous comments regarding Aaron Burr would not go unpunished. Unlike today’s cable news networks, where insults abound, back at the dawn of our nation, one’s honor needed to be defended against those who spewed verbal indignities.

The story of Aaron Burr’s life and political career is fascinating. This is truly a man who was VERY close to becoming one of our Presidents. Back then, there was no “running mate” per se. Yes, they were chosen, but the top vote-getter was elected President—and the runner up was Vice President.

A House of Representatives tie-breaking vote gave Thomas Jefferson the victory in 1800, paving the way to Jefferson becoming our third President. Burr became Vice President, but Alexander Hamilton , who despised Burr— did all he could to derail a presidential bid in the future.

This led to statements against Burr that were, shall we say…inflammatory.

So, Burr called Hamilton out.

Interestingly, most duals—or “Affairs Of Honor” as they were referred to—didn’t result in death. Sort of like rap stars, who must be the worst shots in the world, behind the Founding Fathers. Rap stars get “hit”, but usually only enough to sport the scar that says you have ARRIVED.

So too, apparently, with politicians back in the day. Most “duels” were actually resolved peaceably. A complex set of rules were followed and both sides usually walked away with their “honor” intact. There were, however, real shots fired at some duels—and Alexander Hamilton knew intimately of the danger.

The Hamilton-Burr duel occurred 207 years ago. On July 11, 1804 at 7am, the two met at dueling grounds in Weehawken, New Jersey. It was the same spot where Hamilton’s son had died defending his father’s honor two years prior.

There are conflicting reports of what happened next.

According to Hamilton’s “second” (his assistant and witness), Hamilton decided the duel was “morally wrong” and deliberately fired into the air. Burr’s second claimed that Hamilton did indeed fire at Burr—but missed. What is clear is that Burr shot Hamilton in the stomach, with the bullet lodging next to his spine.

Hamilton was taken to New York, where he died the next day.

Since few duels became deadly—and because of the prominence of the combatants, the nation was outraged at the killing of Hamilton. Charged with murder in New York and New Jersey, Burr returned to Washington to serve out his term-immune from prosecution.

Here is a short video clip of historian Gore Vidal, discussing these two complex men:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPlw5RK0e5Q


By 1805, Burr was completely discredited—and actually concocted a plot with the Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Army James Wilkinson, to seize the Louisiana Territory and establish an independent empire—which Burr presumably would lead. He contacted the British government to enlist their support in the scheme—which was rejected. When Burr led a group of well-armed colonists toward New Orleans, the U.S. Government investigated. In an effort to save himself, General Wilkinson turned against Burr, accusing him of treason.

Although arrested in 1807 and tried for treason, he was acquitted on a technicality. Still considered a traitor however, he fled to Europe. Later, he returned to private life in New York, the murder charges for Hamilton’s death forgotten-and died in 1836.

From Founding Father to almost President to Vice President to Traitor. That was Aaron Burr’s resume.

Almost makes today’s politicians seem harmless.

Almost.



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