Year: 1859

SENATOR BRoDER1oK.-W We promised last
week, to give the heads of argument of Mr.
brodericks San Andreas speech, but upon re-
hection nave determined not to do so, mas
much as nearly all his speeches delivered du-
ring the campaign have been fully reported by
a gentleman admitted to be the most correct
reporter in the State, and as no new points
were presented on the occasion, we hardly
think our readers would profit materially by
such a notice of his argument as our limited
space would admit. The position of the SEN
ator in the Democratic party of California
at one time its greatest tactician and most
distinguished leader, now its most severely
criticised member, the former when he was
without position, the latter when he is secure
in the possession Of the second Office in the
gilt OF the American Peoples among the
most curious chapters in American politics
The very anomaly ofhis relations with the party
has served to intensity public interest and Gu
riosity to see and hear him. Thus, the rough
missiles which have been hurled at him for the
past year have served him good turn by
swelling the number of his hearers. Wher-
ever he has spoken the entire voting popula-
ton of the neighborhood has turned out to
hear his defense, which everybody knew must
be more or less personal, for his enemies had
assailed him in such a manner as to leave no
other choice. Nothing so excites the public as
personalities, though everybody is prompt to de-
cry after the edge of curiosity has been blunt
ed by hearing them. No speeches yet printed
in this State have been so eagerly sought after
and universally read as Mr. Broderick's. No
public speaker ever passed through a more
severe ordeal of criticism. His language, his
matter, his manner, have been the theme of
satire only equaled in bitterness by the re-
proaches, which, by his own confession drove
him into the wordy contest against his habits
and tastes. The alleged disparity between
his speeches spoken and reported, have not
a whit abated the general desire to hear the
last speech which he has made Why? We
think the reason quite obvious: most of the
Senator's speeches. contain new developments
in the secret political history of the State
These revelations are the very kind of matter
to which the people turn a very willing ear.
1t is not necessary that they be presented with
the Establishments of eloquence.


Mr. Broderick, if we mistake not, possesses
qualities Of mind more rare than those of the
mere orator. His persevering struggle against
an inveterate opposition, crowned By the final
triumph of his ambition in 1857, shows that
he is no weak hand at political generalsh1p-
His plan in this campaign proves that he can do
what the babbling fine speaker" seldom has
discretion enough to succeed at-keep has o,cn
secret profoundly from foe and friend alike, if
necessary. He has a high order of courage;
nerve that never quakes at any prospect a
great deal OF self-confdence and an in
domitabe will that pursues purpose without
faltering, through all the mazes of good or
bad fortune, never losing sight of it to the
end. These qualities will always make him
enemies, but they will also secure him the
confidence and admiration of new friends.
The present is not the time to pronounce upon
such character. His enemies can scarcely
be just in their cenSure so long as it is popu-
lar TO abuse him, and his friends, identified
with his political fortunes, are too prone to
misplaced glorifcation.