“The restlessness of Burr was manifested; he seemed to retire from the active participation in politics which had previously been his habit—­still, however, adhering to the Republican party, and opposing strenuously every view or opinion advanced by Hamilton.  Burr did not take his seat as presiding officer of the Senate, and in February, after the election of Jefferson, Hillhouse was chosen to fill his place pro tem. After the inauguration of Jefferson, Abraham Baldwin was elected to preside as President pro tem. of the Senate.  It had not then become the habit of the Vice-President to preside over the Senate; nor was it the custom for the Vice-President to remain at the seat of Government during the sessions of Congress.  Burr, disgusted with the Republican party, ceased to act with it, and went to New York.  Here he resumed the practice of law.  He was never considered a deeply read lawyer, nor was he comparable with his rival, Hamilton, in debate, or as an advocate at the Bar.  He was adroit and quick, and was rather a quibbler than a great lawyer.

“You ask me if I thought, or think, he ever deserted the Republican party in heart?  I answer, no; for I do not think he ever had any well-defined political or moral principle, and was influenced always by what he deemed would subserve his own ambitious views; and you ask me, if I ever thought him a great man?  Men greatly differ, as you will find as you grow older, and become better acquainted with mankind, as to what constitutes a great man.  I think Colonel Burr’s talents were eminently military, and he might, in command, have shown himself a great general.  His mind was sufficiently strong to make him respectable in any profession he might have chosen; but his proclivity, mentally, was for arms—­he loved to direct and control.  In very early life he showed much skill and tact as an officer in the Canadian campaign; but he wanted those moral traits which give dignity and decision to character, and confidence to the public mind.  His vacillation of opinion, as well as of conduct, was convincing proof that he acted without principle, and was influenced by his own selfish views.  Man, to be great, must act always from principle.  Principle, like truth, is a straight edge, will admit of no obliquity, is always the same, and under all circumstances:  conduct squared by principle, and sustained by truth, inspires respect and confidence, and these attributes, though they may and do belong to very ordinary minds, are nevertheless great essentials to the most powerful in making greatness.  Great grasp of intellect, fixity of purpose, strong will, high aims, and incorruptible moral purity, make a great man.  They are rare combinations, but they are sometimes found in one man—­they certainly were not in Colonel Burr.  A great general, a great statesman, a, great poet, a great astronomer, may be without morals; and he is consequently not a great man.  My young friend, a great man is the rarest creation of Almighty God.  Time has produced few.  Washington, perhaps, approaches the standard nearest, of modern men; but he was selfish to some extent.