Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-14
I'm. Kiliiur or senator nroaer,es.


The excitement occasoned In California by the late
duel viii probably have material bearing upon the IN.
terests of politicians and the tate of parties In that
State We Published yesterday an account Of the cir
cunsianccs attending, as well those preceding
and causing the fatal combat From that account of ap
peared that though the actors their aders aud abetto
in this tragedy all members of the Democratic par
~, the quarrel altogether political in its origin and
character And here il may be mentioned indicative
of the spirit which prevails in the feudrcnt bosom
of Democracyhat nearly all the affairs of HONOR rows
trays and ftcus that have occurred in the country
the last two three years resulting from quarrels of
political character have been among members of this
party The identity of principle the unity of purpose
and the fraternity of feeling which this fact betrays ty
illustrate the harmony existing among the Demo
cratic brotherhood.
If we may judge from the language of some of the
leading organs Dougasism in the Atlantic States the
excitement growing of this affair win not be limited
the Pacific slope Ii is roundly charged by some of
them that the killing OF Senator Broderc was the result
of conspiracy against his life and il is more than hint
cd that the Administration at Washington the bot
tom Of the murdcrous plot The most prominent of
these organs the Philadelphia Press evotes more than
two columns in its issue of Monday to this subject and
throws the whole responsibility terrible as il is upon the
President The spirit of the article may be understood
from the extracts which subjon:
1--WE knew that the life of this man had been sou,b,
by the myrmidons of the Federal for the
last two wears Living in a community where
the tribunal OF the duel recognized whatever his
moral sentiment might have BEEN he was too physically
and too intellectually proud aud brave TO resist IL He
therefore, frankly accepted the trial. knowing that when
he went TO it he risked his lite among those who were
practsed murderers. Few men have attract.
ed to themselves devoted friends than David G
Broderick and the news that he has fallen in the very
prime of lie victim to the nsatiate and Unsuitable ma
Federal nm nist
ed by these gallant men with sad and heavy hearts
The part sustained by Mr.. Brodcrck in the
struggle which took place between Mr. Buchanan's Off.
Gals and that band OF fearless Democrats who refused to
sanction the shameless prescriptions of the Admnistra.
ton, attracted TO him the confidence of the country in
the same degree that il aroused against him
aud merciless antagOnSm. From the moment
that Mr. Broderck took his stand he and all those asso
ciated with him. became the objects of series of perse
cutons OF the most abandoned and savage character
for DONG nothing more than maintaining consistent
aud courageous adherence repeatedly defined Demo-
cratic principles they have been traduced and yited
by every instrument that could be employed against them
by the Administration. How Stephen A Douglas was
attacked Is historical The page that describes that
achievement OF the Federal Administrations foul AS il is
Is bright and clean in comparison with that which pre-
serves Tor the aazement and indignation of posterity
record OF the hostility and cruelty pracsed upon Mr.
Brodcrick. Never before in this country have nubc
men been so Shameessly bounded for the exercise of
On the arrival of Mr.. Broderick at Washing
ton, he found that his foes had got between hin,
and the President OF his choice, and that Mr. Buchanan
with that fatal facility peculiar himself since he has
gTaspcd the Sceptre had begun 10 listen 10 influences
against which ordinarily grateful would have in
dignantly and Theoretically sealed his bosom
Then began Il crusade upon this man, unexampled as
we have said in political annals The word was given
to all the organs Of the Administration to show no ner
cy TO the reSolute rebel He singled out for dis
grace and decapitaton. His name was held nm before
the people Kissing and Scorn. The kennels yer,
rdked for epithets against him. The most Offensive fab
relations were published TO discredit him. Every per-
sona attribute denied 10 him. The fact that he had
begun lie without the advantages of education flung
into his teeth, coupled with nconceivabe insult and TO-
nominy Upstairs tainted him with his Glow birth and
iron fortune He in a sort of social quarantine :
Tie was pointed Al by the miuons of office as A traitor
aud more than threats personal violence were
made the iulhneut OF which only prevented bv tho
fact that those making them knew they had to deal with
spirit as intrepid the principle he held in his hands
was irresistible. The Departments shut upon him
Although Senator from sovereign State having rights
which could neither be limited essened bv party
ines he steadily excluded from all participation
IN the affairs of the Administration If he had sat In
the French Assembly He returned 10 Cali;
forna, in company with Mr.. McKbbin only to nd tina,
the way had been prepared for him by his adver-
,aries aud that the long arm Of Federal power had
heen stretched out, holding forth the iron rod TO
lash him into submission, to him into silence
In proportion these immunities were con.
ierred upon the Representatives Of the Administration in
California did their of IMMUNITY increase They
felt that only had Mr.. Buchanan clothed them with
imperial preroGatves and placed in their hands almost
ucacuaoe treasure but that matter how they might
outrage pubic sentiment and PROSTATE sacred princips
so that all done in the of the Administration
they should be protected from punishment and respon
sibiy. Hence, when Mr. Broderick placed himself IN
der the flag ofPopuar Sovereignty and resistance 10 E
ecu'v- dictaton-which dag he found yug on his arri
val ably supported by Of the first intelects in Cal
iioTna-the cry raised that lie must be excommuni
Gated that not only had he forfeited all claim to position
IN the ranks OF the Democratic party, bat that his life as
Forfeited
We have noticed. during all the campaign
which terminated in September in California a number
OF articles in Administration journals threatening the
contingency which has last arrived The reader will
perceive, from the whole history of the last two wears
that 80 far ~ Mr. BRonERICE was concerned IL was
ioregoue conclusion Of the Administration that he should
be sacrificed During all of Mr. BEopERIcEs particips-
ton M the movement against the Administration on the
Territorial question, bis friends felt that his life was in
constant jeopardy, aud when lac left for California he
seemed to be impressed with the fact that he never would
-re them again.
DAVID c. BRoDERICE h,s Welded M his life
for sacred principle II he had surrendered to the
Establishments OF the Administration he might to-day be
HHng among his numerous friends II Wa only because
he refused 10 compromise the truth and TO abandon his
solemn pledges, that called upon TO mourn
his uumeiy death. Thus has fallen the first great mar
tyr 70 the Official principles of the campaign Of ls5G
", nsk M archfrGiiOr 10 Nosc pruciDiSg T. IN Lis old
GJ' c"d ~ t's ''"'st Of his hS. he tssl mn, hi
h1pd, 'rf cear II The hearts blood ~ DaBid r. Bro.
8.rirt