ts surrounding him
was in the admission of Kansas as a free State. If the Missouri
Compromise had not been repealed, a free State was assured. If
Kansas should become a slave State in consequence of that repeal,
it would, in the excited condition of the popular mind, crush
Douglas in the North, and bring his political career to a discreditable
end.

Mr. Douglas had come, therefore, to the parting of the ways. He
realized that he was rushing on political destruction, and that,
if he supported the vulgar swindle perpetrated at Lecompton, he
would be repudiated by the great State which had exalted him and
almost idolized him as a political leader. He determined, therefore,
to take a bold stand against the administration on this issue. It
was an important event, not only to himself, but to his party; not
only to his party, but to the country. Rarely, in our history,
has the action of a single person been attended by a public interest
as universal; by applause so hearty in the North, by denunciation
so bitter in the South. In the debate which followed, Douglas
exhibited great power. He had a tortuous record to defend, but he
defended it with extraordinary ability and adroitness. From time
to time, during the progress of the contest, he was on the point
of yielding to some compromise which would have destroyed the
heroism and value of his position. But he was sustained by the
strong will of others when he himself wavered--appalled, as he
often was, by the sacrifice he was making of the Southern support,
for which he had labored so long, and endured so much.

SENATOR BRODERICK'S DEATH.

Senator Broderick of California imparted largely of his own courage
and enthusiasm to Douglas at the critical juncture, and perhaps
saved him from a surrender of his proud position. Throughout the
entire contest Broderick showed remarkable vigor and determination.
Considering the defects of his intellectual training in early life,
he displayed unusual power as a political leader and public speaker.
He was a native of Washington, born of Irish parents, and was
brought up to the trade of a stone-mason. He went to California
among the pioneers of 1849, and soon after took part in the fierce
political contests of the Pacific coast. Though a Democrat, he
instinctively took the Northern side against the arrogant domination
of the Southern wing of the party, led by William H. Gwin. Bro