The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-10-20
RcmtniSceRceS Of Senator Bro
derrick,

"Reminiscences of senator BRO
derrick.
| rive lind TIE following "reminiscences oi
| lie late Senator Broderick in the ~ y
Tribune of the 18th inst. Mr. Broder-
lex was killed in duet, near san Fran
cisco, Gal, on the morning of the 18th
ult by Judge Terry. The death of Slr.
Rrodarick vas pre- determined by the
friends of DR.. Gwin, the administration
leader in that State, aasd his funeral cor
tege vas the largest ever witnessed there,
evidencing the general popularity of the
man. We commend the fpllowing to he
attention of those Of oar yonng readers
who are wasting their lives in drinking
and debauchery. i is an excellent les
son for their study Ed JoUR.
"REMINISCENCES OF BRoDEaIcK.
| Mr. Broderick was the son Of stone cutteF,
who practiced his calling in the City oil Wash
ington, where Senator Broderick was born
lie pride himself on this birth he once said,
him and see upon the walls the works of his
fathers chis"l. On coming of age Il think
beforel. he went to New York, and :. ran with
machine for time. lie afterward kept a
sort of portt r house; but, even under the in
iiueace Of these associations he eSchewcd
drinking and debauchcry At explosion of
Illuminating shells at foundcry III New Y ork,
some years since, his only brother who sat
sstride one OF tue Shells and in clearing opt
the contents produced the explosion, was
blown to atoms q and thus persisted the only
/ person OIL earth known to me, in whose veins
= flowed drop of my blood (Rroderick to
ME tnis) In lS4S-49 Frederick removed 10
CAliforuia, and, IN partnership with Fred. d.
kohler, went into the aSsaying business. When
Senator Nathaniel Bennct was chosen Justice
ofthe Supreme Court by the Legislature, Brod-
erick succeeded him as Senator from San
Francisco, and was re=eected, serving in the
sessions of 1850, 1881, 1852, and 1855. lie
was bold and fearless legislator, and resist
ed to the last the Infamous s!are-law passed
by the Legislature of u forget the year, His
morals were much higher than those of the
average of his Legislative compatriots. lie
said IL one of his speeches in the late canvass
In California that - no man had ever seen him
drunk, or at the gambling table, or in 3
brothel." This was literally true. More
over, he was no official detaplter to the Coy
ernu,ent {r'de Gwin), and he paid his debts
like an honest man. But the great value Of
nis life consists in the example of self-redemp-
ton and sclf-culture which it affords. He
early appreciated his deficiencies, and under
took to remedy them. lie became a hard stu
dent: be was in the habit of applying to judi
cious friends, stating his special defects, and
OF asking their advice and assistance in laying
out course Of reading aGd study. Thus lie
avoided the waste OF time which results from
desqltcrv pursuits, and his attainments were
solid and systematic. He was a young man
OF great prQmise. His qualities were sterling
lie never forgot friend he was placablc to
his enemies he was true TO his word.
The duello in California is an institution to
which public men must conform, or rcnounce
politi,a al ambition. 1t is even a projection to
gentlemen against the tess regulated violence
of sudden cncouGteES ap1 street fights. That
Broderifk was TO be killed if possible, has
been evident from the commencement of the
late canvass. lie was often provoked and in
suited, but publicly annoUncrd that lie would
not fight until the canvass WAS ever. Gwin
announced his intention to fight him. but no
)ne thought he would kill Bcoderick himself
1t was done a Ia Johnston and Ferguson, by
one Of his pigeons. Il,