The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-11-06

that there vas not one cheek less mostened tha
his own. For An hour be held them Is With
spell; and when he finished, BY bending owe
the calm face OF the noble corse, anu stretchiu
; his arms ior~ard with an impressive Gesture, ex
Claimed, IN quivering accents, "GoOd friend
brave heart. gallant leader. hail aud fare ell Z
the audience broke forth in a general respons
OF sobs. Never, perhaps, WAS sIoQuencs NOR,
thrilling; never, certainly, it better adspte,
TO the temper OF its listeners. The merit OF The
eulogy divided public encomiums with the virtue,
OF the deceased, and the orator became invested
with the dead Senator's political fortunes. The
territorial field in California being, however, NO,
open to immediate occupation, Col. Baker trans
ferred himself TO Oregon, and there, the glow ol
his last effort soon carried him TO the highes,
h0nors OF that State. He was elected Senator
for the iuil term OF Elk years in 500, and at the
time OF his death mad enjoyed its lofty houors
! only for two sessions. How he improved the
privilege of his place by great arguments in ia.
vor OF the Constitution, and BY withering denun-
cations OF the advocates OF treason, has been a
matter OF universal and appiauoing cognizance
lie was, IN TACT, the master debater OF the war
term OF Congress, and that he had the courage
to give his oratory force, the shrinking Benjs-
min, who wthered at his words, and the blanch.
ed Bfeckinridge, whom he " cast from the Tar
peain rock, can we'll attest.
But even these hOnors, and lhe acknowledged
prominence which he had won in his last DO er.
iul position, was not enough for his active and
daring spirit while the country was in arms. H.,
lett The Senate To raise a regiment, and when
that Was ready, he led it to the field He tell.
as ~e have stated, with the "hght of battle" OF,
his features; his death being as eloquent As his
lie, and contributing by its noble manner, a
large compensation for his loss. The event. how
ever, has penetrated the nation with the deepes,
sorrow, and, at The same time, II has lain a new
obligation on our settlement with treason.
Upon the writer OF this article, perhaps, the
udings OF his loss tell with more startling effect
Than upon any person else. Ii WAS our good
fortune to know Col. Baker we'll, and 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 expressed I'm view OF
the recent disaster at Manassas) a natural con
Germ as TO the depOrtment OF his troops, he said
wilkes, l have some peculiar notions as to the
part am TO play in this extraordinary war I; and
l want you to bear In mind tina. what now saw
10 You Is not the result Of any idle fancy or vagne
impression. Ii Is doubtful i: l shall ever again
take my seat in the Senatoi" To tho look Of
surprise which l turned upon him at this ex
preston he replied, =" l am certain shall not
hVe through this war, and If my troops should
show any want OF resolution, shall TALL in the
first battle. l cannot afford, after my career in
Mexico, and a. Senator OF the Uuited States.
to turn my face from the enemy" There was
no gloom or depression in his manner, but it was
characterized by temperate earnessness which
made deep impression On my mind
LO! before October has sued lis Ieayes his
sword lies upon his pulseless breast and his toca
has become the cerements of the grave.
Good friend! brave heart! gallant leader
hail and farewell"