Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-25

George Wilkes, in an interesting and friend
ly sketch OF the late Col. Baker, relates the
following Incident
II was our good fortune to know Col, Baker
well, and We had the honor to entertain hi,a
as our guest at dinner ON an afternoon IN the
month OF August last On that occasion
when we expressed lin view 3t tie recent dis
aster at Manassas q natural concern as 10 the
department oil his troops, he said -" Wilkes,
/ have some peculiar notions as to the part |
am TO play in this extraordinary war ; and !
want you to bear in mind that wli0i | now say
to YOU is not the result OF any idle fancy or
vague impression. 1t is doubtful il | shall
ever again take my seat in tue senate J! 10
the look Of surprise which turned upon him
at this expression he replied, Il am certain /
shall not live through this war, and il my
troops should show any want OF resolution, |
shall tall in the first battle | cannot afford,
after my career in Mexico aUd as It senator of
the United States, to turn ny face from the en-
emy!" There was 10 gloom or depression IN
bis manner. hut it was characterized by Il
temperate earucstness which made deep i'm
preston on my mind. 10 before October
has shed its leaves his sword lies upon lis
pulseess breast and his toga has become the
cerements Of the grave
While in New York, last spring, Col. Baker
made gallant and noble speech at the great
Union meeting, OF which the following extract
| will now be read with peculiar Interest,"
{ Speaking for myself as man of honor, who
! has been soldier, aud as a senator say IN
| another sense, / am for war OF aggression.
| | propose to day, now as we did before IN
i Mexico-to conquer peace. l propose to go
| to Washington and beyond. | do not de-
/ sign to remain entirely supine, inactive, fear
/ full till the war is brought to our midst l
| will meet them on the threshold OF their
! gatherng-there in the very seat OF their pow
| er. dictate TO the rebelliOus terms ot peace 1t
NAV take $50 900, 000--it may take $500 OU0,-
/ OO0-what then? We have it, Loyalty, no.
| bly,, grandly do the merchant princes OF
New York respond 10 the ardeui appeal oil
! the United States government. 1t may cost
us 1900 lives 1t may be 10000 what then
We lave them. The blood Of every loyal cit
izen of this government is dear to me; my
sons and theirs-young men grown up be-
! meath my eve aud care are here-they are ali
| dear 10 me but if the organization, the re-
| nown. the glory freedom OF constitutional
| government the only hope OF Tree people de-
mand it, let Them all CO. am moi now speaN'
ing timorous words OF peace. l speak to KIN
die spirit Of manly, determined war. speak
in the midst Of the Empire State, amid SEC mes
of past suffering and past glory VII"
the deences OF the Hudson above me, the
scenes of the struggle on Long Island before
me, the statue of Washington iii my very lace,
the tattered, unconquered flag OF Sumter
waving in the hand which | can now almost
imagine trembles with The excitement OF battle
and where / speak | say my mission here
to day is to kindo the heart oi New York Tor
war War, sudden, bold, determined, forward
war, this Gay People OF New York On
the eve of battle, allow me TO speak as "A
soldier Few Of you know OF me; my career
has been obscure and distant, but | can say
! that have seen you tried 1t WAS my fortune
! to lead The gallant New York regiment in the
shock OF battle. | was then leader on the
bloody heights OF Cerro Gordo and know well
what New York can do when her blood is up
Again. and once more, will march, but no
! for revenge We have nothing TO avenge
We have something to puuish-as yet little OF
nothing to revenge The president, himself !
hero without knowing it, says there are wrong
to be redressed enough endured to march Il
battle and to victory, because We don't choos'
TO endure these wrongs any longer They
are wrongs not merely against Us IN on
sense, but against our Union-against the con
stitution-aganst human hopes and hntnal
freedom.