Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-02-18
Proceedings of the House of Repre-
sentatives in regard to the Death OF
Senator Broderick.

Proceedings OF the House Oh Repre-
sentatives in regard to the Death o
Senator Broderick.
The proceedings of the House on Monda.
last, were interrupted by n message from tn
Senate, announcing the death of the late Sena
tor from California, MIR. Broderick.
Mr.. Bt1RCH of California, delivered n brio
eulogy, saving, in conclusion, that Mr.. Brodc
ricks memory will long he cherished by thu
people of California.
Mr.. UASKIN, of New York, said; Mr.. Speak
err in rising to second the resolutions just Of
iered, feel somewhat diiiidcnt, lest l shonlG
not be able to do the character of the distin'
guished Senator, in honor Of whose memory
they have been proposed, that Justice which
its simplicity, its purity, its integrity, and It's
greatness, demand AS it is the duty of eul0gy
not TO indulge in extended panegyric, will, in
the few remarks which intend to make on
this occasion, eonfine myself to the prominent
facts and circumstances connected with the
erentfil and romantic history OF my deceased
friend will not make Il funeral pageant OF
my grief, but will give simple narrative OF
his career, believing il to be glorious prece-
dent for the honorable imitation OF the poor
and the humble who have energy, anu wealth
of intellect to command. No gentleman upon
this floor or in the other chamber, knew the
deceased Senator better or more intimately
than myself We were school-boys together,
grew up to manhood, and entered the gate and
pathway of life hand in hand In early youth
we both attended one of those great people
colleges Of the North-a free school-for
about year each. This was the only acnde-
mic education he ever received, ana 1t awaken
ed within him an appetite for usetul knowledge,
which he lost no opportunity afterwards to
CRAFTY. Upon the death of his widowed moth
err whose sole support he had been for years,
he left the trade he had been following (that
of a stone-cutter,) which was undermining ms
constitution, and commenced another branch
of business, less laborious and more lucrative,
by which he maintained himself and n younger
brother, who had been left a charge upon MIN.
Among his first acts after this change was the
purchase of A library, and well recollect that,
in ls45-46, when in the habit Of visiting him,
Frequently found him engaged in study, per-
fecting his knowledge of grammar by writing
in full parsng lessons from the text books.
About this time the deceased became the
foreman of one of the largest and most respect
able FIRE companies in New fork-Howard
Comnanv. No. o.. III that city this position is
regarded as one requiring great intrepidity and
power to command, and his election to it, out
Of one hundred young men, who had grown up
with him, is sufficient evidence of the iaet--
were evidence wanting tlat he possessed
these distinguishing traits Of character. al
lude to the fact to show that thus early ms
ability as Il leader was recognized ana appre-
ciated, and that, too, by class OF men whose
actions in perlling their lives without hope of
reward for the preservation of pnhlic and rri-
yate property. and the safety of society, might
be studied with advantage BY the statesmen of
the present day.
knew Mr. Frederick intimately at that time
and heard him declare that he would rather
wear the forcman's cap Of his company, in the
discharge Of fireman's duty than be crowned
with kingly diadem.
The gentleman from California has given to
the House so close a narrative of the political
career of the lamented Senator, in his adopted
State, that it would not become me to travel
over TINT ground again. shall, therefore,
coniine myself to brief description of his life.
previous 10 his leaving my State. We entered
the busy arena of politics at the same time,
both as national, conservative Democrats, SIN
eere believers in, and followers OF, the pure
principles of the Democratic party, as laid
down in its platforms, and exemplihed IN the
Administrations of jefferson, Madison, and
Jackson We were together members 81 the
Democratic General Committee which had con-
troll OF the party organization in the city OF
New York II was here that he first displayed
his great energy of character and tact as To-
cal party leader, He controlled the Democratic
organization in his Congressional district, ana
so potential was he then, that he at times gov
chief magistracy of the city, and other impor-
tant local Offices. His indomitabe will was
felt in nearly all of the Democratic conventions
held in that great city, during the time he re-
manned resident of it, and, as political lea
der Of powerful influence he won the admira-
ton of his friends and the respect OF his oppo-
nonts. II was then
"Isaw him boat the surges under him,
And ride upon their backs; he troll the water,
Whose euOnlity he flung aside, nud breasted
The surge most swollen that met lni ms bold head
Bore tho contentious waves he kept, and cared
Himself with his good arms in usty stroke,
10 the shore"
The only legislative position which he ever
held in the city of New York was as member
Of the Charter Convention, called TO amend
and remodel its organic law, and he there was
untiring in his efforts To reform the abuses
which existed in the city government. 10
show the strong tendency of his mind TO lati-
tudiuons Democracy he advocated, and sue
ceeded in securing to the people the right to
select the heads OF the various city executive
departments In 1886 he was nominated by
the Democratic party of tho Fifth district Of
New York, in which he and myself then resi-
ded for Congress, ard was defeated by Frede-
rick A. Tallmadge, gentleman who had been
State Senator, and had previously occupied
several positions of honor in that State. This
defeat in district which had before usually
been in the habit Of sending Democrat to
Congress, was believed by many to have heen
caused by his humble origin and tirc-comrany
associations. Being the son Of an artisan and
an artisan himself, tho arlstocracy ofthe party
turned their backs upon him, whilst many me-
ehanies and workingmen, jealous Of the sue
cess ofthis then young tribune OF the people,
assisted, in what they considered the overthrow
Of his political fortune. This rebuke deeply
wounded his pride--for he was proud at times
even to imperiousness--and he showed that he
never forgot the hand that administered it. In
his celebrated speech in the Senate against the
admission OF Kansas under the Lecompton
Constitution, he took occasion to npbraid the
workingmen for not being true TO their own
class. | will read the extract to which al
lude:
~ have not said he, the admiration for the
men OF the class from whence | sprang, that
might be expected; they submit too iamely to
oppression, and are too prone to neglect their
rights aud duties as citizens. But sir, the
class OF society to whose toll was born, under
our form of Government will control the des-
TIMES Of this nation. III were inclined to for
get my connection with them, or to deny that
sprang from them, this chamber would not
be the place in which Icould do either While
hold a seat here have but to look at the
beautiful capitals adjoining the piasters that
support this roof, to be reminded OF my fathers
talent and TO sec his haudlwork. le!t the
scenes of my youth and manhood for the far