Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-01-24
United States Senators.

The struggle is over. The long agtated
Senatorial question has been finally disposed
of. David C. Broderick has been chosen for
the term of six years from the fourth day of
March, 1857, and VIM. NJ. Gwin for the
term of six years from the fourth day of
March, lS55-known as the short term.
The gentleman first named - David G..
Broderck-was our choice above all other
men for the long term. Our reasons for this
preference were pretty fully given previous to
the meeting Of tie Legislature, and it is un-
necessary now to repeat them. Yet we can
not refrain from saying few words with ref
erence to the man and the event. Mr.. Brod-
erick, we believe, is about thirty-seyen years
of age. He was born in the District of Co.
lumbia, where his father was engaged as a
mechanic in constructing the Capitol. His
father dying while the son was yet youth,
the duty devolved upon the latter of support
ing, in New York City, mother, sister,
and Younger brother This he did by honest
industry, aud was therefore deprived of scho-
lastic and collegiate advantages in his young
er days. He has, nevertheless, been a close
student and deep thinker from his boyhood
up, and his elevation to the Senatorship is
only another evidence that self-made men are
sometimes rewarded for the manliness with
which they have buffeted the waves Of mis-
fortune.
1t is not necessary that child should be
born with silver spoon in its mouth, in or
der that it may arrive at greatness in after
life If the intellect is there, there will be
outcome without the aid of a few years dis
sipation at some popular institution of learn
ing That which is self-taught is taught the
best; for the reason, perhaps, that it is only
men in whom there are elements of greatness
that ever are sclf-made.
But enough of this. The fact that Mr..
Broderick has risen from the ranks of the
people is in favor of, and not against him
The struggle through which he passed to OBJ
tain the eminent position to which he has
Just been elevated, is without parallel in
the history of any State. He has exhibited
a native power of intellect possessed only by
those who are naturally great and deter
minaton of purpose that literally "knows no
such word as fail" He is untirng in his en-
ergies, seepless in his vigilance, and as po-
litical generasimo, is totally without rival
in the State No matter how great the op-
position--no matter how apparently he may
be ovcrpowered and ruined-no matter what
the means the foe may resort to--he is "in
at the DEATH" with victory perching on his
banner, to the astonishment of his friends,
and the utter dsmay and discontinue of bis
enemies He is a man born to command, and
his career in the United States Senate will
be a marked proof this assertion. He will
accomplish more for California and her best
in the United States Congress, than
a whole legion of such men as sometimes as
pire to be Senators.
Mr.. Broderick is yet young; and having
already, unaided and unassisted, raised him
self to the position of a member of the most
august body on earth, he has unquestionably
a bright future before him. 1t is a just re-
mark that he never loses a friend. He has
warmer and more steadfast friends than any
other man in California; and when bis repu-
Ia ton shall have become national, as it will
speedily, he will have as good friends in eve
ry State of the Union as in California.
AS for DR.. Gwin, he is too well known in
this State to require any recommendation
from u.s. Although he was not our first
choice for the short term, yet be is Demo
mocrat, elected by Democratic Legislature,
and will advocate none but Democratic meas
ures and principles, and will prove himself a
valuable representative. With these two
gentlemen in the United States Senate the
people Of California will have representa-
ton that will do honor to themselves and the
State