Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-09-06
col. BAKERS SPEECH AT ST. LOUIS.
FROM THE ST. LOUIS .,rrvuL,cAS, AUG. 81.

Wcwish all America could have heard Col. Ba-
ker's speech on Monday night. We wish it could
be reported. 1t was a nghty Intellectual eS.Ut,
IN which mind rightiuly employed hiuh
thoueht-the elevated philosophy of government
true glory, for men and nations--these made his
theme; and nobly and we'll did he present it, 1t
was throughout speech of remarkable ,poyver, and
some passages rose to eoquonce OF the highest or
der We felt but a single regret, and that was.
that the voice of the speaker was not the worthy
organ of his mind. Yet he was heard, heard dis
tincily, by the breathless throng, who stood for
more than two hours without sense of WEAKNESS,
and regretted only the close of speech that en-
chained them SO long. We have made efforts to
procure the remarks of Col. Baker for our columns,
Glazing TO have them reported ourselves, through
him and through others that heard him ,bu, being
eXtemporaneous, the speaker had no trace of him
sell TO guide us, and we have not found one of a
dellghted audience 10 undertake, from memory ,
even sketch of his remarks. Any sketch, in
decd, would do injustice to the orator. His style
demands attention TO all the processes of his
thoughts the idea rises and swels through his sen
fences TO climax and to appreciate it fully each
step OF progress must be followed. Take, as an
illustration, the quality Of honesty in a statesman
as presented by Col. Baker. Who that heard il
will ever forget that portion Of his speech? And
yet who can report 2? Its importance in diplo
macy, In craftsmanship, il the executing of laws
IN creating and preserving a law-abding spirit
both IN rulers and the people its agency i'm Tia,
maintenance of constitutional liberty; and lis neces
silly in the achievement of all solid national renOwn
were given by the speaker with admirable ampli
cation. The claims of Gen. Taylor to this hiel
quality were never shown with greater force
Friend and foe awarded it TO him. Scott. his riva
IN military glory and i'm civic elevation said Of him
IN Mexico, 10 the officers of his camp, when Tay
Tors name was connected with The Presidency
Ihe otd hero rs Obstndtely and pcrUcrScly honest
hat other quality essential TO true greatness
lndOmilable courage and selfrelance in the hour OF
dlllcuty--was portrayed by Col. Baker with fine
effect 1t was the attribute Of genius, in every age
ana IN every field OF human enerprse--on the sea
on Inc land-ln science, letters, arts on every
Theatre OF invention or discovery--in every eXer-
else of Intellect Who can forget the analogy drawn
by him between Columbus and Taylor?
His defence of Taylor from the charge Of having
no principles was mastery. He drew the broad
Sine between what is principle aud that which is
only measure. He demonstrated that the Allison
letter was compendium of code of principles
fundamental and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS writ
len, and with brevity and power characteristic o
great minds. He cOntraSed this letter with the
dogmas and INVESTIGATIONS of the Baltimore Demo
cratic platform, and proved from them how words
may BE used To conceal ideas.
lie drew contrast between TAYLOR and Cas-
The one, a true Hero breathing PRAYER for peace
al the head OF victorious army; the other, as Min
ister, as Senator, stimulating by his words hi,
counirymen 10 and bloodshed The one, :
warrior, filled with the instincts of humanity ant
benevoencc; the other, in civil station. seeking Il
reptss, by his censure, the generosity, the mag
naanny, and the regard for human life, that make
up the true glory Of the cheflain. The one, van
gushing armies, with limited resources; the other
breaking his idle sword upon his own knee with ;
tragic strut and air. in the true style of Mexican
gasconade. The one, who never asked for power
or favor the other, trucker 10 it, in all The shift
ing scenes of his scheming career. The one, wht
asks not to be President-who must be carried t.
the Presidency by the force Of gratitude and ADM
ration in the hearts Of his countrymen the other
who bids for it, who falsiies his opinions and pre-
sents the second example of political anatomy il
which the heart of politician is at the North pole ant
his head at the South. The one, noble man, will
bold and striking traits of character. arrcsting tn,
attention OF hls cOuntrymen and of the world tn,
other, 4 common-pla man--gIeat neither in word
nor decds-a hero, without a victory or a battIe-i
statesman, without measure policy that he
can call his own. The one, man who cannot hide
himself from the admiration of men; the other, who
has 10 be l%isy and active to be noticed ALL and
then not favorably. The one, 4 warrior, REFRESHING
by his policy, all wars of conquest and dominion
the other, warrior only in name, kindling in tn,
countrymen Of Washington the lust for EXTENDED
empire, to be won by the sword.