Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-10-31

was stepped in gloom at the contemplation
Of the monstrous deed. All trade was
stopped; aud, by common consent, without
pageant or parade, or any sound but the
low, measured, muiiled throb of the church
bells, the detected people, walking as if they
almost 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-cutter, lying in mute grandeur,
with 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 about to lay upon
his breast. For minutes after the vast au-
dience had settled itself to hear his words,
the orator did not speak. He did not look
in theNofin-nay, neither to the right nor
left; but the gaze of his fixed eye was turned
within his mind and the still tears courscd
rapidly down his cheek. Then, when the
silence was the most intense, his tremulous
voice rose like wall and with an uninter-
rupted stream of lofty, burning and pathetic
words, he 50 penetrated and possessed the
hearts Of the sorrowing multitude, that there
was not one cheek less moistcned than his
own. For an hour he held them as with
spell and when he finished, by bending
over the calm face of the noble corse, and
stretching his arms forward with an impress
siye gesture, exclaimed, in quivering ac-
cents, Good friend brave heart gallant
leader! hail and farewell v the audience
broke forth in general response of sobs. -
Never perhaps, was eloquence more thrill
ing never, certainly, was it better adapted
to the temper Of its listeners. The merit of
the eulogy divided public oncomiums with
the virtues Of the deceased, and the orator
became invested with the dead Senator $
political fortunes. The territorial field in
California being, however, not open to i'm
mediate occupation, Col. Baker transferred
, himself to Oregon, and there, the glow OF
| his last effort soon carried him to the highest
honors of that State. He was elected Sen.
ator for the full term of six years in 1860
Q and at the time of his death had enjoyed it,
, lofty honors only for two sessions. How hi
/ improved the privilege of his place by great
arguments in favor Of the Constitution, ant
\ by witbering denunciations of the advocate,
D Of treason, has been matter Of universe
' and applauding cognizance. He was, II
!. fact, the master debater of the war term o.
HI Congress, and that he had the courage {,
give his oratory force, the shrinking Ben
|, jamin, who withered at his words, and the
y blanched Breckenridge, whom he "cast from
v the Tarpeian rock, " can well attest.
|, But even these honors, and tho acknowl
a edged prominence which he had won in hi
Q last powerful position, was not enough fo
If his active and daring spirit while the coun
!. try was in arms He left the Senate to rails
J. a regiment, and when that was ready, h
Is led it to the field. He fell, as we hav
o stated, with the Eight OF battle" on hi
b features; his death being as eloquent as hi
life, and contributing by its noble manner,
% large compensation for his loss. The event
= = however, has penetrated the nation witt
i. the deepest sorrow, and, at the same time
r. it has lain new obligation on our settlement
i with treason.
!. Upon the writer of this article, perhaps
n the tidings Of his loss fell with more star
n n ling effect than upon any person else
q was our good fortune to know Col. Bake
SS well, and we had the honor to entertain hi,
q as our guest at dinner, on an afternoon i
the month Of August last. On that occasion
r. when we expressed lin view of the recen
"a disaster at Manassas) natural concern q
Ia to the department of his troops, he said
~ "Wilkes, have some peculiar notions as
IN tho part am to play in this extraordinar
M NJ war and want you to bear in mind thu
~ ~ what | now say to you is not the result
10 any idle fancy or vague impression. 1t
!, doubtful if shall ever again take my SCI
"a "a in the Senatel' To the look of surpri,
- which ! turned upon him at this exprcssio
"A he replied, II am certain shall not liy
,e through this war, and if my troops shoul
re- re- show any want Of resolution, shall fall
I'd the first battle. | cannot afford, alter N
,e career in Mexico, and as a Senator of I'll
n. United States, to turn nay face from Il
ID enemyl" There was no gloom or depre
h sion in his manner, but il was characterize
n. by temperate earnestness which made
az deep impression on my mind.
= Lo! before October has shed its leave
,ep his sword lies upon his pulseless breast, an
ns ns his toga has become the cersments of Il
IL grave.
,J Good friend brave heart gallant lea
~ ~ or! hail and farewell - q. W.