New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-23
DEATH OF COL. BAKER.

on TIE country since the opening Of the war, 10 tina
OF the late lamented Edward ID. Baker, Colonel o
. the LIST Regiment Of California Volunteers, anC
Senator of the United States. Col Baker partic
pated in The battle which took place near Edward
Ferry, in Virginia on the afternoon of Monday last
and fell at the head Of his troops while waving bis
sword, and cheering on his men. BY his DEATH the
country is deprived Of Of ts most eloquent advo-
Gates In the superior chamber Of our national egsa
ton and one Of its most seasoned and fearless cham
pions in the field
pIOu5 IN the held.
Col. Baker, though his rpeued years presented
him TO the country as an accomplished lawyer and
sodies Of repute, began life under the most humble
circums ances and is indebted to no regular scholar
ship either in literature arms for the distinction
which. in both Of these positions lie achieved. He
was essential y one of those spontaneous creations,
which our noble institutions so frequently develop,
and which are mist honorably known among as as
! +" sslf.made men." And that Col. Baker was high
specimen Of that CITES, may be seen by the diff
culties which rotaraes him at bis outset, and the
pitch of the elevation he attained.
The dead Senator was Of English birth, but he
came to this country when five years Of age, and BY
the choice Of bis father was settled in Philadelphia
that Quaker neighbOrhood being especially con-
genial, the old gentleman vas Of the Society OF
Friends." In few years the father died, and
left Edward and younger brother relaOnless, and
unproyided. Labor, however that common pGtron
Of the well and willing, extended its resource
through the occupation of his father and he obaigsd
employment as = weaver in small establishment in
South street of that city, There he remained faith
fully at work for considerable period Of time, de-
voting lis earnings for While to the support Of his
brother, and gradually instruc'ing him, that he
might, in time, support himself. Possessed OF an
ardent imagination he naturally took deep interest
in reading, and being stimulated by the allHements
of romance his taste enlarged until it embraced the
whole range of sober as well as of usye literature.
But none, however, ssw in that patient, thoughtful,
neyer.Hsgging, boy the future statesman whose
youth was worthy of lift. Modesty is good maxim
for the manners of youth, but genius always knows
itself; and Edward Baker, whose mind had dweit
upon the marvels OF The West feeling within himself
that confidence which innate strength inspires, de-
termincd to seek its broad and inviting platform for
his future Youth needs but little preparation when
it sets cut to seek it's fortune and hope at ali times
requires but little backing.
Edward, though he had but little means to make
the journey communicated LIS resolution to his
brother, and the two hand boom journeymen with
packs upon their shoulders, strong staiis in their
hands and stout hopeful hearts within their bosoms,
set their faces toward the Aegbanies. On foot they
undertook their ascent and foot they crossed and
90 they trudged along through broad intervening
States until they found themselves in that portion Of
the then far West which was known as Illinois.
Here the young men paused and cast their lot,
Edward selecting Springfield as the special place OF
res!dence There, in little while, he was enabled to
turn to accoun, the legal reading which he had begun
in Philadelphia; and having happy gift Of language
to help it into use, he soon enabled to make
living q. the law BY fart degrees he rose, and
ripening with exercise, il was not long before be was
among The most popular advocates 1t the bar
Through bis prosperity be was nov enabled 70
look beyond the narrow circle Of the private spites
and grief in which the mere attorney il required to
abuse his mind and the broad field politics invited
him 10 the discussion Of more lofty topics. He en-
biaeed the doctrines Of the Wing party, end trans
ferrcl his eloquence to tie forum with such effect
thst he soon won his way TO Congress. lie occupied
is seat in the House Of Representatives with dignity
and credit, and was fast being recognized as one Of
the leaders Of that body when the temptations Of
tie Mexican campaign appealed 10 his ardent and
enthusiastic mind and induced him 10 abandon civil
life aud seek an employment in ;he way OF wal. lie
went 10 Illinois raised regiment and took n 10 the
Rio Graude. pause in tue campaign enabled hmto
return temporarily to Washington, in order that be
might express himself upon the policy Of the war and
cast his votes; but that done, he Went back 70 he
command and followed Inc fortunes on the line from
Vera Cruz. an the actions Of the contested road to
Mexico recognized his yalori and when Shields fell
M the head Of liz brigade at Ceuo GOrdo, il was
Bakers ds.inguishtdfort TO rise TO the command
and 10 lead the New-York regiments through the
bloody struggles OF that day. Wen do we mind the
lofty look with which the noble Senator, fifteen
years more Of snow being on his head told the peo
plc Of this city Of that Circumstance, IL April last,
when, all together, pledged ourselves 1T Union
square to ayenge the parricidal blow at Sumter.
Returning to Illinois in triumph. Col. Baker was
again elected to rcpresent HE district in The balls Of
Congress andhe servedtLGe until 1850 bat at the end
OF his TERM he yielded to some views OF business,
and went out for awhile TO Panama. The fever,
however soon drove him home, where being re-
cruted in bis healt,,a new contagion touched his
mind This was the memorable epidemic winch d.
rected universal attention 70 the Pacific shore ana
Welding to the fascination the soldier who had be-
come unsettled by the excitenerts Of the war,
turned his footsteps to the new III dorado OF the
West IIis fame had gone before him, and he
was srarod any efforts to popnlarize himself IN
this new field of effort. He took at once superior
position at the bar Of San Francisco, and large pro-
portion of the heavy OF the circuit, sougt the
advantage Of his treatment By common consent he
wac acknowledged to be the most eloquent speaker
....oE .rn. In reanrre In q cir