Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-09-18
Fiul gy on the Character Of
Davtd <. Broderic1x.
BY A. c. BROWN, JR.


brave man is published by request; it was
delivered before the Junior Glass of Hi
nois College:
Another bright star has fallen from the
armament OF worth and virtue; another
victim to the miscalled "code of honor is
gone; another form of truth and Justice,
worth and honor, has returned to him who
gave it.
David G. Bfoderick, the pride Of Cali
fornia, the admiration of all who honor
true nobleness of character fallen.
At an early AGE he was left an orphan in
The city OF New York, with younger
brother in his charge, who became at the
death of his parents, the only relative he
had on earth; and when this brother per-
ished he was left without tie Of blood.
Like Logan, he was the last Of lis race,
and stood alone in the world with no am
bition save to carve his name and fame and
stand up for the right and battle against
the wrong. Alas! he is gone. But why
that wall Of indignant grief with which
the country heard the dismal tidings
What was the secret Of Broderick's popu-
larity! What were those elements Of
character which made him the idol Of a
powerful party?
The answer is easy: First of all, Brod-
erick was self-made man. He was a ma
tive Of Washington, D. c.. where he was
born on the 4th Of February, A. D. lSl 0.
He was of Irish descent, of obscure yet
in every way respectable parentage. His
father was stone cutter, employed on the
erection Of the National Capitol; and when
B. in the U. S. Senate alluded TO the
handicraft Of his progenitor, in his famous
reply to Hammond of S. c., it was no mean
exultation that directed these words: 81
am of that class you denominate the mud
sills of society, the laborers and mechanics
Of the land, and my father was one Of them
too his hands helped to raise this proud
Capitol, his sweat is mingled with The NOR
tar in IFS walls
Broderick's early educational advantages
were very slight. At an early age he was
apprenticed to bis fathers trade; from that
position lie rose by bis own efforts: he pos
sessed none Of the graces of manners, none
of the popular qualities that win the sup
port and apr rotation Of the masses; but
be had far reaching sagacty, intuitiye per-
ception and thorough knowledge of hui
man nature; and by these qualities he rose
from the humble occupation Of a stone cut
ter to the high position Of U. S. Senator.
Another Characteristic of Brodeiek,
which accounts for bis remarkable success
was that he possessed a high order Of tai
emit As a legislator in the early history
of California, and as president OF the State
Senate. he was noted for his sagacty and
superior ability; and IN the U. S. Senate,
during the brief period he was there, he
exhibited talents that marked him as a ris-
ING man. He possessed all the qualities Of
great political leader and wanted nothing
but opportunities to make himself as much
an object Of popular alteration as Clay or
Webster.
A third characteristic of Broderick was,
that he was man Of unblemished morality.
Amidst the peculiar temptations Of new
country he preserved high tone Of NOR
ais; and it yet remains for the first impn-
tation to be cast upon bis honor even by
the tongue Of partisan caumny. His ur-
blemished moral character plae him
above the mass of men and entitled him to
the love AID admiration Of all who are ca
pable Of approaching moral worth The
only apparent exception to this statement
is the fact that he accepted the fatal chal-
lenge which issued in his de th Let us
not Judge that act too harshly; let us not
forget that the social customs Of California
compelled him 70 accept the challenge, a
custom so inexorable that it oyerrides all
law In such a state of society he well
knew that il he failed to acknowledge the
50 called "code Of honor he would be-
come Kissing and By word and be strip
ped Of influence and position. With this
single exception the public life Of BrodeI-
lex is without a STAN.
But the browning characteristic of Brod-
erick was, his fearless fidelity to his conyic-
lions. With all bis strength Of will and
stability Of purpose-his energies and per-
seyerance--he was literally without lear.
lie never had occasion to explain or justify
Inconsistencies. lie was always true to
his convictions and expressed bis senti-
ments without fear. Principle was his
ruling motive. Guided by high sense Of
honor rather than abandon principle, he
sacrificed his life. With his giant will he
stood manfully at his post until he was
stricken down, by the hand Of the one who
Of all others, should have been the very
last man to shed his blood Could be
have 'sold himself for power he would
have been alive to-day. Such a man de-
serves to be honored and eommomorated
by all who reverence n noble and manly
character. His innate nobleness, his uil-
flinehing courage, his fidelity to friends, to
tru h and justice. aud his unwavenng in-
terr;ty, made his fall national calamity
40 what 4 fall VAS there, my countrynen
Then /, and You, and al Of Us fell down,
Whilst bloody treason fionrished over Us.
ELECTION or County COMMISSIONERS.
A question has arisen whether the
County Commissioners provided for BY
law Of the last Legislature are e be elected