Daily national Democrat., 1859-09-18
Death of Hon. d. C. BrOderick.


Mr.. Broderck In him the State has un-
doubtedly lost the ablest and truest friend
that she ever had in the Senate of the United
Stotes. With the stalwart strength which
belonged to him, he always stood firmly by
her interests, in the lofty position which he
so honorably filled, and never betrayed her
in single instance No bribe ever touched
his frank and honest hand. No unworthy
schemes for his own aggrandizement, at the
expense of the public treasury, ever entered
into his movements or his measures as pub
lie man. The people felt at all times that he
could be trusted, in the exalted position to
which they had elevated him, and, while he
remained at his post, they were sure that all
that could be done for the benefit of Califor-
MIA would be.
To see him fall, then, at the very moment
when they most needed him fall like astruck
eagle in his pride of place; fall in blood, and
at the hands of one who should have paused
long and reflected well before making hasty
word, in a moment of justly excited passion,
a cancellation Of uncommon deeds of devotion
in the generous friendship of times past; to
see him thus fall in the prime of his manhood
and in the dawn of a glorious fame is indeed
painful. And the more aggravating, when
we remember that there was really no cause
for the deadly meeting which ensued. The
explanation which Mr.. Broderiek was will
ing to make, the adjustment to which it is
generally understood that he was willing to
agree, taken together with the fact that
Judge Terry had himself occasioned the hasty
words which were used, by public and un.
called for denuncation of Mr. Broderick in a
political Convention, of which Mr.. BrodeIick
was not a member and where he could not
possibly have thrown any obstacles whatever
in the way of any particular aspirations
which Judge Terry may have entertained, all
demonstrate most clearly that no challenge
should have passed. What amount of iusti-
fication Judge Terry may feel that he has for
his conduct, under the circumstances of the
case, we do not know. 1t is a matter which
rests between himself and his God; and it
belongs not to us to impugn those secret and
unavowed motives which are known only to
the bosom that entertans them and to the
great Searcher of all hearts
The character and career of Mr.. Broderck
were remarkable. He rose from the ranks oi
the working classes Without the advanta.
ges of education, nor born to wealth, he was
the maker of his own fortunes. BY slow and
unweared toll, he gave his mind the cultiva-
ton which it had, and the result of that in
dustry in overcoming his early lack of
scholarship, was amply evinced in the pure
English of his speeches during the campaign
, which has just closed, and the compact vigol
of the thoughts to which he gave utte, ance
lie was a man of great original power o
mind, far more than until quite recently, b,
ever received credit for. In fact, no superior
of his in native force of intellect now lives il
California. His superior in the traits of {
vast and indomitable will never did live.
Pure and stainless in his public career as
Senator of the United States, his private char
acter was a model for the young men of oul
country. No vice whatever land it is indeed
wonderful to say it blotted his daily life or
manners. lie was in every sense of the word
pure man.
But, the death of Mr.. Broderick is particu-
larly to be mourned, in that he represented a
great principle, which momentarily falls to
the ground, or seems to fall, with him. True,
the principle will live long after his bones
shall have crumbled into the dust, but the
official position which he occupied and which
: must now be filled by man of opposite opin.
ions, enabled him to do more for that princi-
pie than any other men within the limits O.
our State. The term of his office running in
to new Administration Of the Government, il
was naturally expected that he could hold
together until that period a strong party, and
that, under change of Administration, E
change might come over the spirit of politics
in this State, and a victory yet be won fo
the great doctrine of popular Sovereignty
= These hopes are of course now buried in tn
y bloody grave Of this noble chieftain. Othe
ehieftains may arise, but it so happens tina
- they can not by any possibility take hi
place, for long series of years, and certainl,
not until that revulsion of affairs which h
alone was in position to be instrumental il
ultimately bringing about.
> While yet the pale brow of this dead her,
is uncovered by that grave which awaits hin
in the Cemetery of the Lone Mountain while
for moment, the voice of detraction whicl
= has so long bounded him on his path, is ST.
fenced, and the glance of hate is appalled, a
the ashen majesty of death upon the cold fac,
which lies before it; let us pause for an in
stant and ask of all his hosts of enemies
"What has this man done that he should hav,
been so hunted down and abused? Wherein
was his great offense against the land or the
n natlonf What laws of morality or religion
/ did he violate ? What treason did he commit
f to his country2 What widow did he wrot. Q
h what orphan did he defraud? What act o
}. his in an official capacity ever stained hi
hand or dishonored his hearth What wa
his crime I" We will answer. He dared t,
face you in your path lie dared to oppos
you. He was mountain in your way. Yor
hated him, not for any offenses that he ha,
committed against morality or religion o
law but because he was so long the DARN,
chief of great party, and you could no
conquer him. You hated him for his bol,