Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-11-30
General Joseph Lane, Senator from the
 New State of Oregon Representative

The advent of Oregon into the Union placed Tn the Senate of the United States. as one of her representatives, General Joseph Lane, one ot the most remarkable men of the age, whose career Is fine illustration of the genius of our institutions, and de- monstrates that the high places of honor and distinction are accessible to all who possess ability, energy, and perseverance.
 General Lane descended from revolu- ~lonary ancestors, was born in the State of North Carolina, was reared and educated Tn Kentucky, emigrated to Indiana, and settled on the banks of the Ohio, in the county of Nanderburg; where without the advantltIouS aid of fame, family or fortune. he worked his way from an humble nlow boy and fiat boatman on the Mississippi to the high position of distinguished sol dier and statesman. At the age of twenty one. when barely eligible. he was elected |. representative in the legislature of indiana and continued Co represent his people at intervals of one or two yeals, either in inc House or the Senate. for abouf A opar,or or q century. Possessing a clear. stropg and practical mind, he took liberal and cor rect view of all questions affecting state or national interests. which he enforced with an eloquence and power. which placed him in the front of the ablest men in tho Iegis- lature.
 His name IS indissolubly connected with some Of the most important measures. heh developed the resources. advanced the prosperity aud improved the finances oi the State, especially his successful efforts Co preserve untarnished the public faith. and Co prevent the repudiation of the publc debt which was boldly advocated by some oi the strongest men in Iadiana.
 When the Mexican war broke out. Gen. Lane was member of the State Senate ant when call was made upon Indiana, to iursh volunteers for the war. with that devoted patriotism which has ever charac tenzed him, he immediately resigned his seat, and volunteered as private in Cap tam Walkers company. When the com panies rendezvoused at New Albany. he was elected from the ranks as their Colonel. but he was permitted to hold the commis- slon but very few days. That sagacious statesman, James K. Polk, then President ot the United States, discerning in General Lane the qualities to make a successful warrlor, sent him a commission of Brigader General, compliment as unexpected as it was unsolicited by him. The opponents of the administration and of the war. through out the State, denounced and ridiculed the appointment; declaring that he might make a good general of the hat-boatmen on the Mississippi, but that the idea of Joseph Lane, who had never commanded company in his liie taking command of a brigade in war, was simply ridiculous; that he would disgrace himself, his State and the nation Never did a mans achievements in war, more completely falsify the predictions of hls enemies and realize the most sanguine expectations of his friends or more trium- phantly vindicate the wisdom of the ap- pointment.
 In less than three weeks after the receipt of his commission, he was at the seat of waT with all his troops. In communica- ting his arrival to General Taylor he wrote thus" The brigade l have the honor to command is generally in good health and tne spirits, anxious to engage in active service"
 The indomitable energy, the self-sacri(ic- ing spirit, the sound judgment and firm purpose which he displayed in the active service of civil life were emnentlv con spicuous in the stirring scenes of battle, blood and carnage, through which he passed, illustrated by daring bravery and heroism, which placed him among the most distin- gulshed heroes of that memorable war To recount the battles in which General Lane was engaged the dangers to which he was exposed the brave deeds he performed, the skill and judgment with which he planned his battles, and the unvaryng success with which he fought them, would consume more space than we have to spare. Such was the celerity of his movements, the skill and stratagem of his plans, the boldness and rapidity of their execution, and the enthu- siasm and courage with which he inspired his men, by his impassioned appeal to their valor, as they visited the most fearful slaughter upon the enemy, the name of Lane struck terror to the Mexican heart and by common consent he was styled "the Marion of the Mexican war; Of all bat ties fought in Mexico, the battle of Buena Vista was the severest and most hoty con tested, and one of the most remarkable in the annals of the world There the Ameri- can army, consisting of about five thousand mostly raw malita, met twenty thousand ofthe chosen troops of Santa Anna, in deadly conflict, and after protracted struggle of two days achieved glorious taiumph
 z In that battle General Lane performed most important part. No officer contribu- ted more by his gallantry and generalship to win the fortunes of the day Upon the left wing of the American army which General Lane commanded, Santa Anna directed his most obstinate and deadly as saults. With but 400 men General Lane repulsed large body of Mexcans. six thousand strong. While nothing could exceed the fearful array of the assailants as they moved toward the little band of Lane. with their long line of infantry, presenting a continued sheet of fire; nothing could sur pass the undaunted frmness and bravery with which Lane and his men maintained their position and poured their volleys of musketry into the advancing columns of the enemy, which made them break and fall back. Throughout the varying for tunes of that trying day, General Lane with his little band of heroes, maintained his position and repulsed the enemy at eHery point. On the second day of the battle Santa Anna finding his strength defed and his most skillful mannuvers de- fea.xtl, as the day was drawing to a close, determined to make a most desperate effort to turn the tide of battle in his favor Col lecting all his infantry, he made charge on the Illinois and Kentucky regiments. Gallantly did those brave troops resist the onset until seeing their leaders fall, and eyerpowered by numbers, they began to Tver and fall back. At this critical mo- h 1, the eagle-eye of General Lane ob- so!;ib the movement, when he hastened ws-s n.b-s brigade to the rescue in time to
 the retreating regiments to form
 F., turn to the contest and drive back
 .hesreat loss to the advancing column of This was Santa Annas last
 ruggle. On that bloody and hotly con-