Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-11-01

tremulous voice rose like a wall, and with an
uninterrupted stream Of lofty, burning and
pathetic words, he 30 penetrated and posses
sed the hearts of the sorrowing multitude,
that there was not ono check less moistcncd
than his own. For an hour he held them as
with spell and when he finished, by bend
ing over tho calm face Of the noble corsc,
and stretching his arm forward with an i'm.
pressive gesture, exclaimed, in quivering ac-
cent, Good friend brave heart gallant
leader! hail and farewell - the audience
broke forth in general response of sobs.- -
never, certainly. was it better adapted to the
temper of its listeners. The merit Of the
e,,logy divided public encomiuns with the
virtues of the deceased, and the orator be-
came invested with the dead Senator's polit-
ical fortunes. The Senatorial field in Cali
forpia being, however, not open to immedi-
ate occupation, Col. Baker transferred him.
self to Oregon, and there, the glow of his last
effort soon carried him to the highest honors
of that State. He was elected Senator for
the full term OF six years in 1860, and at the
time Of his death had enjoyed its lofty honors
only for two sessions. How he improved
the privilege of his place by great arguments
in favor Of the Constitution, and by wither-
ing deh0nciations Of the advocates Of treason,
has been matter Of universal and applaud
ing cugnisance. lie was, in fact, the mas
ter dcbatcr Of the war term Of Congress, and
that he had the courage to give his oratory
force, and shrinking Benjamin, who wither-
cd at his words, and the blanched Breckin-
ridge, whom he least from the Tarpeian
rock" can well attest. e" .a.8 ~
But even these honors, and the acknowl-
edged prominence which he had won in his
last powerful position, was not enough for
his active and daring spirit while the coun-
try was in arms. He left the Senate to raise
regiment, and when that was ready, he led
it to the field. He fell with the flight of
battle" OH his features; his death being as
eloquent as his life, and contributing by its
noble manner, large compensation for his
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. ....r..-y
We had the honor to entertain him as our
guest at dinner, on an afternoon in the month
Of August last On that occasion, when we
Manassas) natural concern as to the de-
pertinent of his troops, he said: Wilkes, I
have some peculiar notions as to the part l
am to play in this extraordinary war; and
want you to bear in mind that what how
say to you is not the result Of any idle fancy
or vague impression. II is doubtful If | shall
ever again take my seat in the Scnate!' To
the look Of surprise which turned upon him
at this expression he replied, ~ am certain
! shall not live through this war, and If my
troops should show any want of resolution,
! shall fall in the first battle. cannot af-
ford, after my career in. Mexico, and as u
Senator Of the United States, to turn my fac:
from the enemy "" There was 10 gloom or
depression in his manner, but it was charac.
terfsed by temperate earnestness which
made deep impression on my mind. l
Lo! before October las shed its leaves,
his sword lies upon his pulscless breast, and
his toga has become the cerements Of the
grave. .. g.. #s .u." .. .s.-.
"Good friend brave heart gallant lead.
or hail and farewell ~ f" ..
GEORGE WILKES