Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-25
Col. z. ID. Rolker.

tu luIehSely Interesting sketcn OF lhe ue"u
Senator, orator and warrior, from which we
take this extract, regarding his connection
with the death ofthe lamented BrOderick
"They haze killed me because / was OPP
posed to the extension OF Slavery and cor
rupt Administration" was the last declara-
ton of the dying Senator; and as the words
fell from his lips they became fire in the
heart OF the weeping orator who helped to
close his eyes.
The en- pire city of the Western Ocean
was STEPPED in gloom at the contemplation
of the monstrous deed. All trade was stop
ped; no sound of hustle was heard along tue
street; and, by common consent without
pageant or parade, or any sound but the low
measured, mufiled throb of the church-bells,
the detected people, walking as if they al
most held their breaths gathered in the main |
square, and formed themselves, like so many |
shadows round the bier. At the foot OF the |
coffin stood the priest; at its head, and so he |
could gaze freely on the face of his dead
friend, stood the pale figure of the orator
Both Of them, the living and the dead, were
self-made men; and the son of the stone-cut-
ter, lying in mute grandeur, with a record
floating round that coffin which bowed the
head of the surrounding thousands down in
mute respect might have been proud OF the
tribute which the weaver's apprentice was
t about to lay upon his breast. For minutes
after the vast audience had settled itself to
hear his words, the orator did not speak,
| He did not look in the cOfIin-nay, neither
10 the right nor to the left; but the gaze OF
his fixed eye was turned within his mind,
and the still tears coursed rapidly down his
cheek Then, when the silence was the most
intense, his tremulous voice rose like wall
and with an uninterrupted stream of lofty
and pathetic words, he so penetrated aud
possessed the hearts of the sOrrowing multi
tude, that there was not one cheek less mOis-
tened than his own. For an hour he held
them as with a spell; and when be finished,
by bending over the calm face of the noble
corse, and stretching his arms forward with
an impressive gesture, exclaimed, in quiVer-
ing accents, "Good friend brave heartl gall
liant leader hail and FAREWELL" the audi
ence broke forth in q general response Of
sobs. Never, perhaps, was eloquence more
thrilling, never, certainly, was it better
adapted to the temper of its listeners. The
merit of the eulogy divided public encomi-
ums with thu virtues of the deceased, and the
orator became invested with the dead Sena-
tors political fortunes. The territorial field
in California being, however, not open to
, immediate occupation, Col. Baker transfer
red himself to Oregon, and there the glow
of his last effort soon carried him to the
highest honors of that State. He was elect
ed Senator for the full term OF six years in
1860 and at the time of his death had en-
> ioyed its lofty honors only for two sessions.
How he improved the privilege of his place
BY great arguments in favor Of the Consti-
: tuition, and by whitening denuncistions Of
t the advocates of treason, has been matter
. of universal aRd applauding cognizance. He
was, in fact the master debater of the war
term of Congress, and that he had the cour-
age to give bis oratory force, the shrinking
= Benjamin, who withered at his words, and
3 the blanched Breckinridge whom he " cast
from the Tarpeian rock" can well attest.
But even these honors, and the acknowl'
edged prominence which he had won in his
e last powerful position, was not enough Tor
, his active and daring spirit while the coun'
, try was in arms. He left the Senate to raise
a regiment, and when that vas ready he leo
l it to the field. He fell, as we have stated
! with the tqight of battle" on his features
II
tributlng by its noble manner, a large CON-
pensaton for bis loss. The event, however
, has penetrated the nation with the deepest
sorrow, and, at the same time, it has lain &
new obligation on our settlement with
treason.
Upon the writer of this article, perhaps
> the tidings of his loss fell with more start
t ling effect than upon any person else. L
: was our good fortune to know Col. Baker
we'll, and we hsd the honor to entertain him
as our guest at dinner, On an afternoon in
the month of August last. On that ocea.
sion, when we expressed lin view of the re.
cent disaster at Manassas) a natural concern
as to the department of his troops he said
, "Wilkes, have some peculiar notions as to
: the part / am 10 play in this extraordinary
war; and want you to bear in mind that
what now say to you is not the result Ot
: any idle fancy or vague impression. 1t is
doubtful if shall ever again take my seal
= in the Senate !" To the look of surprise
which turned upon him at this expression
he replied, 81 am certain l shall not live
) through this war, and if my troops should
show any want Of resolution, l shall fall in
, the first battle. l cannot afford, after I8y
career in Mexico, and as Senator of the
United States, to turn my face from the enc
myp There was no gloom or depression Il
J his manner, but it was characterized by g
temperate earnestness whiah made a deeI
impression on my mind.
Lol before October has shed its leaves, his
sword lies upon his pulseless breast and his
toga has become the cerements of tne grave
''Good friend brave heart gallant lead
er hail and farewell II G. ".