Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-10-14
From the philadelphia Press.
DEATH OF DAVID a.. BRODERHCK,
OF CALIFORNIA.

vid Z. BIoderick had engaged in duel with
Chief Justice David s. Terry, of California,
and that the latter had paid the forfeit of his
life, We retraned such comment as would have
been natural under the circumstances; not, in
| deed, that duel, with Mr.. Broderlck as one
of the principals, was unexpected. because we
| knew that the life of this man had been sought
| by the myrmlGons of the Federal Admnisura-
| ton for the last two years, and We could not
| but conceive that, in controversy between
/ him and any one Of their representatives, the
] chances would be entirely against the Inan who
enIbodled independent thought and heroic de-
/ votion To principle, for the reason that Broder-
lex was not duellist. Courageous as il was
possible for any man TO be, be had hot caiti-
vated killing as a trade, and, while his conpie-
tions were such as would have led him to face
death at any time, he never boasted of the ne
compliShment so peculiar to those who are in
! the habit of taking mems lives upon puuetilio.
Perfectly ready at all times to give up exist
tnce for that which be believed to be right, be
was rot a proficient in the art BY which des
peratc men, pistol in hand, can deield The
wrong; aud, living 10 community where the
/ tribunal of the duel was recognized, whatever
his moral sentiment might have been, be was
too physically and intellectually proud and
brave TO resist it. lie, therefore, frankly ac-
cepted the trial, knowing that when he went to
1t he risked his life among those who were
prdctised murderers.
We are now called upon 10 perform the
painful duty or announcing, on tie authority
of late dispatches from Jefferson city, Missouri
based upon information received by the last
overland mail from California that the FIRST
/ A. III m
ry, Was unfounded, aud that 10 the duel wbieh
TOOK place on the morning of the 18Th Of Sep
telnber, David T.. Broderick was nortaliy
wounded, and died few days after. This in-
telllgerce will occasion profound sensation 10
all parts OF the country. Mr.. Brcderick was
~ every respect, representative man; not
/ simply representative Of his class, but of the
great principle involved in the struggle be-
tween the people and the Federal Admnistra-
t!o0. feF men have attracted to themselves
| more devoted friends than David g. Broderick,
and tie news that he has fallen, in the very
prime OF life, victim TO the iusatiAte aud in
satIable milev1leGce of the Federal Admins
tratlon, will be received by these gallant men
with sad aud heavy hearts. Mr.. BroIerick
was not thirty-nue years old at the time of his
Geath. 1t may be said of him that be died al
most without fault, for saving the susceati-
bllity of his nature, and The excitement engen-
dered by his earnest devotion to what he con-
eelved to be right, he was, in all respects, a
model for imitation. When, in late speeet
in California, be announced ssthat there was no
man who had ever seen him under the influence
OF liquor, or al u gaming table, or 10 any house
OF d2ub;tul reputation; and that daring astane
aud eventful career he had discharged eyely
obligation to society and his fellow men" be
pronounced, without vanity, an unconscious eu-
logy upon himself, and the epit1ph that may
now be written upon his tombstone. Even in
the midst of that wild and widering canvass,
) when men stood ready to take each other.
lives, aud when he, of all otders, was regard
ed as the sigaal embodiment of the great pria.
ciple involved, there was no one bold enough
to take issue with his statement, while all bis
friends aud thousands of bis foes were glad tc
} endorse it.
Tue part sustained by Mr. Brolario. IN the
struggle which took place between Mr. Bu-
chanans officials and that band of fearless
Democrats who refused to sapetion the shame.
less prescriptions of the Administration, at
tracted to him the confidence of the country, il
the same degree that it aroused against him a
maley1lent and nlerciless antagonsm. Himself
a man OF positive character, unbending will
and iron nerve, he neither shrunk from the re-
) sponsI5llIty OF his position, nor faltored, in a
double sense, IN maintaining it. He felt, from
tue moment bis conscientious conviu tions placed
him 10 hostility TO The most figrant piece oil
, treaehery in political annals, thar he was en-
tirely tight; and he, therefore, gave no heed sc
consequences, but pursued straight aud on
ward course to the end. lie adopted no new
views, but held on with Characteristic tenacity
to the old teachings of the Democratic faith
confident that if the sequel did not ind him
and his friends victorious, il would, at all
events, fully vindicate them before the couu-
try.
Such spectacle OF frmness was novelty
IN these days, bat still greater novelty was in
reserve. From he moment that Mr. Broder-
lex took his stand, he, and all those associated
with him, became the objects of series OF
prosecutions of the most abandoned and savage
character. For doing nothing more than main
tanning consistent and courageous adherence
to repeatedly defined Democratic PRINCIPLES.
they have been traduced and villifed bp 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 Administration, foul as it is, is bright
add clean 10 comparison with that which nre-
serves for the amazement and Indignation of
posterlty the record of the cruelty practised
upon MIR. Broderick. Never before in this
country have public men been SO shamelessIy
houuded for the exercise OF honest opinious
Brodetiek began life surrounded with disad-
vantage9 dis progress had been long, bitter
battle with adversely. Thrown IN early years
among scenes which tested his bis endurance
by teaching him many of the seyeress lessons
OF misfortune, .he went to California, to use his
| nHn eXnressinn thaf h. sElninlt ria - -. 1; .