Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-24

De,tb orCol, Rnker.

Death Oh CO1s bHAeEs
We record in the death of Colonel Baker
of Oregon, one of the greatest calamities
that has befallen the nation since the be-
ginning of this dreadful war, The loss of
such n man, Mt such time, cannot be re-
paired. Like the late Gen. Lyon, he was
admirably fitted for his position-cool, ex-
perienced. gallant and fearless, ardently
devoted to the fortunes of the republic,
and apt to inspire others with his own de-
votion.
Col Baker was in many respects rep
resentatiye man. Brought to this country
from England while yet an infant, he was
left an orphan soon after his arrival. But
sad as the outlook of the child then was.
he found protection among our people, aud
n way opened to him by our liberal insti-
tutions. He was taughtthe trade of hnnd-
loom weaver at small manufacturing es-
adjustment in Philadelphia, where he sup
ported himself and brother, and acquired
the rudiments of education. His enter
prise soon led him to the great West.
Crossing the Alleghanies on foot, and ma
king passage down the Wabash in a ca
noe he at length settled on what were then
the almost unbrokcn prairies of Illinois.
He rose with the rising fortune OF the
State. Adopting the law as Il profession,
lie tJlitlHGu u uISL rum 'NI bhC o'NtI 49, "'''
deemed the equal ut least of Douglas and
Lincoln In 1912 he was elected to Con-
gress, where he distinguished himself by
his fervid cloqucnce. When the Mexican
war was declared he raised q regiment and
Joined the army of General Taylor. He
participated in some of the most severely
contested actions of that war, and Mt Ccrro
Gordo, when General Shields was wound
cd. assumed the command of his brigade.
After the close of the war Colonel Baker
removed to California but becoming tenn
porarily unpopular By his opposition to the
Vigilance Committee movement, he was in
duced to repair to Oregon. His ardent ma
turc and rare power AS speaker made
him leader in the politics of the State,
and he was chosen by the Legislature Que
of its United States Senators. Nor was he
long in making his mark in that renowned
assembly. His replies to the sophistry of
Benjamin, on the question of secession,
combining argument aud eloquence, logic
and wit, placed him in the front rank of
senatorial orators. The words he then
spoke thrilled through the country. and
prepared the way for that grand uprising
of the nation which occurred a few weeks
later Bold, chivalrc and honest, he al
WAYS spoke from the heart, and when sla-
very was concerned, which he hated with
the detestation of u noble and generous
nature, he never bolted the issue nor
spared its defenders.
On the outbreak of this rebellion, to
which Colonel Baker has sacrificed his
life, he was one of the FIRST Urionists in
the field. Coming to this city, where
many of his old California friends were
known to be, he took an active part in
arousing the patriotic impulse. At the
of ba Opnnlp n HMM
Square he was among the most earnest OF
the speakers. He saw from the outset the
magnitude of the contest before us he
saw that it was going to be no child's
play; and he then warned the country
that it must not and could not cease from
its undertaking until the national emblem
had been carried in triumph from the Po-
tomac to the Rio Grande. He was, how
ever, not only a speaker; he was n doer as
we'll ; and in n little while he had gathered
about him as effective Il regiment as ever
engaged in campaign. Men from all the
States flOcked to his ranks the regiment
became a brigade and the Government
would have made him q Major-GeDeral il
he had not desired to retain his position
in the United States Senate. His fine COM
mand was at first in service at Fortress
Monroe, whence it was removed to the up
per Potomac.
In the reconnaissance yesterday morn
ing at Harrison's Island be led the right
wing of General Stones force against au
overwhelming superiority of numbers.
While he was cheering his men to the at
tack, with. his characteristic gallantry, he
was struck by ball and fell at the head
of his columns. 1t was there that so no.
BILE and fervid nature as that of Colouel
Baker would most like to die. he was
gloriousIy serving his country in her hour
OF need: he had experienced IN his own
person and career the benignity of her in
stitutiens; he loved her as a true son; he
knew the seriousness of the crisis; and be
was willing to yield his life in her defence.
But that country could i'll afford the loss.
Courageous, upright, earnest, indOmitable
spirits like his are what she most wants,
and all who feel her SORROWS will drop n
tear to the memory of this eloquent states
man, this gallant and disinterested soldier.
FRIENDSHIP which flows from the heart