The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-28
Political Aspects Of the killing of
Senator BrOderick.

A writer in the New York Times, of the
18th inst. expresses the following opinions
in regard to the killing of BRoDER1cK
The death of David G. Broderick at the
hands of D. S. Terry, has naturally caused
profound sensation in the political commu.
nifty. This feeling has been aroused, not so
much by the fact of the duel itself, as by the
fact that it was brought about under pecu-
liar circumstances, intimately connected
with the present state of political parties,
and growing out of the action taken by the
administration in relation to Kansas affairs.
When Mr. Buchanan threw the weight of
his influence and official position into the
scale of political injustice, Messrs. Stuart
and Broderick, under the lead of Stephen A.
Douglas, had the sagacity and nerve to
plant themselves firmly upon the platform
of popular sovereignty, and to leave the
justification of the issue thus made in the
hands of their constituents. From the mo-
ment their position was taken, a systematic
persecution Of the men and their principles
was initiated by government officials.
Happily for the cause they represented,
they were bold men, devoted to a great
principle, and incapable of being corrupted,
cajoled or intimidated Mr.. Douglas, with
characteristic zeal and energy, went to Hi
nois to fight the battle of the people, against
a well-organized and powerful coalition.
His friends gathered around him like wall
of fire, and campaign was inaugurated
which resulted, after a desperate conflict,
in the triumph of the popular cause. On
his return to Washington, we all remember
how he was received. He was degraded
from his position as Chairman Of the Terri
torial Committee, and subjected to series
of studied and continued annoyances, calcu-
lated to irritate his temper and draw him
into personal misunderstanding. On one
occasion. in committee, he was aroused to a
pitch of indignation which gave occasion to
full display of the courage and heroism
of the man, and which nearly resulted in his
being called to the field, and there made
sacrifice to his answering devotion to prin-
ciple. This same persecution has been
continued down to the present time.
Only the other day he was recalled from
his projected visit to Minnesota, by decis-
ion of the Postmaster General, which re-
quired his personal presence in the circula-
ton of political documents. And this is
but one of countless series Of aggravations.
But the administration has not confined its
attention exclusively to Mr.. Douglas. 1t has
stretched out its long arm to the Pacific,
and laid its heavy hand upon David G.
Broderick. In Mr.. Broderick it had much
to fear. He was determined and reent-
less foe to the administration policy in Kan
sas, and the enemy of all schemes of cor
ruption and plumber. Animated and en-
couraged by heroic devotion to great
cause, and by approving smiles of great
constituency, he entered into the California
campaign, as Mr.. Douglas did before him
into the campaign of Illinois, with deter
mination to stake his political existence
upon the issue made up. The government
officials, profting by the experience of
defeat in Illinois, piled every lever and
motive power in party machinery to crush
him, and succeeded. But it may be said
here that the political history of this repub-
lie furnishes no just parallel to the twin
campaigns in Illinois and California, where
two men stood up against an INSCRIPTIONS
and reckless organization, and did single
handed battle with such terrible effect.
1t is alleged that the killing of Mr..
Broderick was entirely disconnected with
political matters. An assertion of this kind,
directly in the teeth Of convincing chain
of circumstantial evidence, is not worthy of
serious consideration. Mr.. Broderick was
in the way of political aspirants, of the
Lecompton candidates, and possessed of
information and secrets which disturbed the
peace and the conscience of his enemies. 1t
was decreed and predetermined that he
should fall. But his fall has consecrated
the principles in behalf of which he has
suffered martyrdom. 1t will revolutionize
the Democracy OF California, and render
inevitable the triumph of the doctrine of
popular sovereignty. 1t will infuse new zeal
into the champions of that cause. 1t will
secure the nomination of an anti-Lecompton
candidate at Charleston, and teach the
people that safety for our political institu-
lions can only be found by intrusting the
executive, legislative, and judicial functions
to men who unite ability and courage to a
profound regard for popular rights.