Year: 1859

other. trust am understood. doubt not
but that no man ever drew this important
distinction more clearly or forcibly than
Thomas ii. Benton-that deceased patriot.
whose last efforts for his country, while in
official station, are now characterized by an
eloquent and accredited representative of the
supporters of this Administration as those of
"Fallen Lucifer." As to this challenge
which has just been given me, can only say
that it will be impossible for me to accept of
it, as my appointments have been made up to
the 3D. of August During the debate upon
the resolutions passed at the last session of
the Legislature, this man, who has Just ad-
dressed you used language towards me which
| don't consider was gentlemanly or becom-
ing. He stated, believe, that my remarks
in the United States Senate reminded him of
"the language of the bully and the tactics of
the prize ring" There was a time when |
would not have permitted such language to
be used towards me; that time has passed
for the present, at least. | cannot afford to
notice such language now. will not occupy
your time any further at this late hour.
am glad of this discussion, as it will give the
Reporter some new matter for his note book,
and perhaps it has been profitable to you.


Cheers.


Mr.. kirkpatrick rejoined as follows


Fellow citizens: l have been so crushed
out again by the lordly contempt of the Sen
ator that hardly know how to reply to his
eXcrusiation eloquence-his brilliant perora-
ton. Laughter. l am sorry that the Sen
ator's previous engagements are such that
he cannot afford to stay in town for few
days, and debate with me upon the great
subjects on which he dilates with so mucn
oratorcal ability. would gladly hear him.
| would gladly meet him, as well as | could
with my poor ability. But, fellow citizens, |
am immensely relieved to understand from
tho lips of the Senator himself that he did
not intend to treat me with contempt infer
red from his manner of giving mea challenge
| say l am immensely. relieved by that dec
aration, for his contempt is almost too much
for hnmble individual like myself to stand
up under, you know. Laughter. Old ST.
ezra cannot stand under too much of that
kind of Sentiment, you know. "You are
not Sierra county, syou know" Laughter
The Senator complains that made a remark
in the Senate which he considers ungentle-
manly that he had used in the lofty tribunal
of the United States the Language of the
bully and the tactics of the prize ring" Eel
low citizens | did make that statement, per.
haps, in the heat of the debate; words, per.





that the provocation was great. James Bu-
chanan in 1856 was elected to the Presidency
Chair of this nation by the Democratic party,
triumphantly elevated to that position. Be
fore that time he had been known through
out the country-aye, throughout the world
as a distinguished statesman. He had
filed the post of United States Senator for
several terms; he had appeared at foreign
Courts as an ambassador from the United
States; he had filled these positions with dis
tinguished honor. He was recognized at the
time of his nomination as a statesman second
to no other in the ranks of the Democratic
party We all united and went shoulder to
shoulder to secure his elevation, and when
Mr.. Broderick rose in the United States Sen
ate, during the debate upon the Lecompton
! Constitution, and denounced Mr.. Buchanan as
a weak, trembling old man. tottering on the
verge of the grave-irresponsible for the
declarations which he had made-I did think
that it was "the language of the bully, and
the tactics of the prize ring" Cheers. |
thought so, and believed that the Demo-
cratic party of the nation thought so. Now,
fellow citizens, Mr.. Broderck may consider
the LecOmpton Constitution at great fraud
but does the Democ' attic party consider it of
such a character? "No."l | will ask why
it is that Mr. Broderck has removed his seat
from the Democratic side ofthe Senate Cham.
ber? Shouting l will ask him why he
has taken mis- seat by the side of William II.
Seward, and | ask him whether he intends
to indorse the nomination of the Democratic
National Convention which meets at Charles
ton l ask him whether his friend, Judge
Bryan did not denounce Stephen A. Douglas
as a charlatan; whether he did not denounce
the Kansas Nebraska Bill as fraud Where
is he? Is he with the Democratic party
L"NoW1 or enlisted under the black banner
of the Opposition? Let him answer If he
docs not wish to answer here to night, let
him anewer at any other time and place.
Now take my leave of the subject. l should
never have thought of appearing before you
tonight but for the pointed challenge which
| received. have been called into this de-
bate wholly unprepared for it-utterly sur
prised do not know why this was done,
unless it was that this able Reporter whom l
see before me intend tos send down to the
Union, the organ of Senator Brodercks par.
ty- that |,
or other distinguished Democrats or Demo-
Gratis not distinguished, had been called upon
to debate these questions before the people of
Downeville, but were afraid to make their
appearance. Now, how is it? l see their
Reporter reporting this matter-this irregu-
lar, desultory discussion. | know that he
cannot, and will not make any such state
ment. / know that he cannot. l do not
know what the intention was; but whatever
it might have been, we have appeared here,
and showed, at least, that James Buchanan
and the Democratic party have some friends
in old Sierra. Great cheering Fellow citi-
zens l thank you for the courtesy you have
extended towards me under these most unfa-
vorable circumstances thank you heartily
| shall never forget your kindness. [Cheers


Mr.. BRoDERICK mounted the stand and said:


Fellow citizens Jimmy Buchanan has had
another eulogy; but this time the stars have
been allowed Ito roll on'unmolested in their ac.
customed orbits, nor has the orator again
buried himself among the bones of our faith
ers. | come before you to express my deep
regret at having ever invited Mr. Kirkpat-
rick to this stand When rose to address
you this evening, l supposed that he would
take pleasure in mounting the rostrum and
soberly and pertinently speaking to the prop
er political matters which engage our atten-
tion during this campaign. Nothing of this
kind is presented to me. Why, understand
that this gentleman had the hardihood to 90
to La Porte in this county, on the Fourth Of
July, and measure swords with a man re.
nowned for his eloquence-with Col Baker
VOICES -"Ah.ha-ha,h ha ~ and it may be
that we are enjoying extracts from the ora
tion delivered on the occasion Laughter
and Kisses. In speaking here of course | am
subject to your approval or disapproval, but
it is not gentlemanly to stand far back from
the platform and hiss a speaker before you
Ittll hat hn ho1 70