Daily national Democrat., 1859-07-12
Extracts from Senator BrOderick's Speech

tiveS IN tne Onlleu SJaleS senate, having
taken part, both Id debate and by vote, on
the questions agitatihg the public mind
questions and issues involving principles, the
final settlement of which will be to future
generations the historical periods that mark
our age--questons and issues which, howev-
cr they may rise, must come back to you for
final arbitrament-it is proper that l should
meet you, face to face, to give an account OF
my stewardship, to defend my course and
conduct when assailed, and to give you the
reasons which induced me to oppose the cor
Fuptions, fraud and extravaganza of the men
ut the head of our Government, men who,
elevated by your votes, have usurr ed power
and used it to public injury, who have taint-
ed the channels of justice and attempted to
enslave the people, and who now seek to
PROSTATE their rule by a corrupt, reckless
and Independent expenditure of the public
money. Prolonged cheering Fellow citi.
Zens, my vote is recorded on every question
which has arisen in the United States Senate
since | became member of that body. To
those votes and the motives which prompted
their giving, invite their investigation and
discussion If, in the remarks which now
propose to make on the history of my con-
neetion with the Democratic party both in
this State, and since my election to the Uni
ted States Senate, should omit any fact of
Importance in that record, | am here to an
swer any question, and to disclose any fact
GCheers. A VoIcE-"Good. y | have four
years of my term yet to serve. do not
come before you, therefore, seeking public
favor, but to show you that | have not
swerved from principle, nor neglected your
interests. l am accused of deserting the
Democratic party-abandoning the princi-
piles once cherished Reputation for con
sistency with me will never outweigh the
satisfaction of being right. Applause
l could indite no epitaph to be placed over
me in the future which would be a higher
reward than this: He hever deserted prin.
ciple." [Cheers. But l have seen no rea-
sen to change or abrdge the right of the
people, to control their own affairs in the Ter
rtories, according to the mistaken and suici.
'dal policy of the Administration, known as
Congressional Intervention. This question
was settled years since. The views in re- ard
TO this matter, which L explained and advo
Gated in the United States Senate, were the
same which l would have given and advoca
ted, if called upon to do so, ten years since.
1t is charged that | have deserted the Dem.
Oeratic party. That this charge is false |
will proceed to show. For eighteen years,
erine in nv attachment to the Democratic
party, and to Democratic principles. Cheers
1t is no egotism for me to say, that | have
done more for the party, made heavier sacri-
fees, expended more money for its success,
than all the party leaders | was elected by
the citizens of San Francisco, without oppo-
sition, to the first Senate which convened in
this State In 1851 | was again elected, for
4,
that year was chosen to preside over the
first meeting of Democratic legislators called
TO organize the Democratic party in this
State. From 1852 to 1853 l was Chairman
of the Democratic State Central Committee,
and had charge and management of the en-
tire details of every campaign In 1851, in
consequence of the resignatson of Burnett,
and the elevation of Governor McDougal l
was chosen to preside over the Senate.
thus became the Lieutenant Governor of this
State In 1852 my name was presented to
the Legislature rs n candidate to the United
States Senate. submitted my claims as
candidate to the Legislature. An authorized
caucus of the Democratic Legislature gave
Weller tie nomination. | submitted cheer
fully TO the decision, and gave to Mr.. Weller
my cordial support. During the period from
lS49 or 1850 to lS52-'53 | took very ac
tive part in public matters, and my votes are
recorded rs portion of the legislative histo
ny of this State. | challenge any man to a
scrutiny of that record [Appiause] No
thieving bill or corrupt measure, designed to
rob the Treasury, ever received support or
countenanee from me. Cheers. And per
nit me here to add 10y way of doing my en-
emies justice, my character during this period
was not assailed nor my motives impugned.
In "a my nnr1e was again presented as n
candidate for the United States Senate. |
received a majority of Democratic votes in
caucus, brt was defeated by a combination
of Americans with Old L'Ee Wings and Fed
eral office holders. From this date COM
menced the vile attacks upon my character
which have made my name almost Il by-word
throughout the State; attacks which, for
virulence and malgnity, never had paral
lei in the history Of political warfare To
these assaults never replied. | was content
TO stand on the record of my votes and my
reputation with those who knew me best
and was unwilling to dignity by any notice,
the mcrcenary wretches who assailed me
TChecrs Among my friends and supporters
were men of family and character Und stand
ing in the community, whose object it was
to elevate the moral tone of this State. This
class am proud to say, are still my friends
they have never deserted me. Applause.
| was entitled to their support. have lived
among you for more than ten years. From
the commencement and during the period
when the gross vices of public men were
winked at or forgotten, ON account of the
general laxity of morals that prevailed in so.
cety. unleavened by the presence of virtu-
Gus women, no man, living or dead, ever saw
me at gaming table, or in brothel, or un-
der the influence of liquors, or ever knew me
to refuse to pay an honest debt. Vehement
and prolonged cheering. No one ever dared
TO charge me with being influenced by pecu
mary considerations in any vote which 4
gave. Can my traducers say as much? A
Vocabulary time IN SO | was again
candidate for the Unite States Senate. Dur
ing all this time the Infamous attacks upon
my character and the detraction OF my mo
tives never ceased. had no one but myself
to be responsible for any disgrace or stigma
cast upon me; had no relatives to be graf
fled bv refutation of the charges made
against me. / never replied. So persistent
and indecent was the nature and substance
of these assaults that, | have been told, the
San Francisco Vigilance Committee, while In
session, undertook to investigate the history
of nv character and conduct. Laughter.
What was then, in their conncil chamber, said
against me, what charges was brought up, l
do not know; but have since learned that
many of the men who composed that body
with whose organization | did not approve,
and with the principles of which l had no
sympathY-have since become friendly to
me. Laughter In 81 | was elected to
the United States Senate, despite the opposi
tion of my enemies. Cheers Not only