Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-11-01
Col. Forney on the Death Of Col
Baker.
WASHINGTON, Oct. %, 1861


Another victim has been offered up
to the great Moloch of Treason. The
gifted Edward D. Baker, of Oregon,
Senator and soldier, orator and patriot,
has gone to meet the spirits of Ellsworth,
Greble and Lyon. Only a few days ago
he took me by the hand, and made my
heart glad by the confidence and enthu-
siasm with which he spoke of the great
struggle in which he has acted SO con-
spicuous part Never shall I forget
his last speech in the Senate of the
United States in reply to Breckenridge.
He had just returned from his camp, his
! face bronzed by exposure to the sun,
his undress uniform soiled and dusty
with the labors of the field; and he ad-
ministered such rebuke to the migrate
Kentuckian as recalled the best efforts
of our greatest statesmen. Altogether
entirely im,promptN. it was as logical, as
chaSte, and as finished, as if it had been
polished and committed to memory in
the solitude Of his chamber I had
heard him on another occasion, in the
House of Representatives, years ago,
when, with signal effect, he adv ocated
the Mexican war, previous to resigning
his seat to rejoin his regiment under
General Scott had read his marvel
Gus Grafton upon the lamented Broder-
ick, who also gave his life to his coun-
try, and was murdered for his conseien-
tious hostility to the slave oligarchy. I
had listened to descriptions Of .he effect
produced by that splendid tribute by
those who had the good fortune to be in
San Francisco when it Was pronounced;
but never shall ! forget my emotions du-
ring his reply to Breckinridge. His
manner, his bearing, his gestures, his
argument, could not have been surpassed
and have rarely been equalled. There
was not a Senator, friend or foe, who
! did not admit that it was the most pow
erful and successful vindication of the
war; the most caustic, yet courteous
cirastisement Of an incarnate traitor that
had ever been delivered il the Senate oi
the United States. There he stood
trAbly qualified to discharge his glori-
GUS duty. An adopted citizen, an Eng
lishman born, soldier in arms for his
flag; legislator, chosen by people
among whom he was almost a stranger
he demonstrated alike his personal graf
itude to the Constitution which pro,
tected and the constituency that honored
him, his fervcnt devotion to the cause in
which he had drawn his sword, and his
surprising genius in the fulfllment Of
his Senatorial trust.
Colonel Baker was a man Of rare at
tributes. His appearance and address
we're eminently prepossessing. His
eventful and exciting life had whitened
his locks, but his face was type Of the
freshest and manifest beauty. In his
intercourse with society and the Senate
he was model of refinement and suayity
never indul ging in coarse language OF
angry epithets. In the hottest party
contests he preserved his temper; and
when he took part in debate, his hardest
blows were given with chivalry and d
grace which rendered him irresistible
He was rot only gifted in these respects
not only a surprising orator, but fine
poet Some Of his eifusions, now in the
/ possession OF q lfieuu III lulS Guy, Lave
often reminded me Of the choicest gems
of Tom Moore. He was a Republican
in politics, a devoted friend of President
Lincoln, and an earnest opponent Of the
rebellion. Vet, with all this, he was
warmly attached to Douglas during his
life, and sought the acquaintance Of ev-
cry Democrat who shared the confidence
of that great popular leader. His en-
ergy was amazing-witness his perseve-
rance in raising his brigade. lie. was
not a selfish man. He worked for his
country. I have seen him at the de-
partments early and late, never engaged
in jobs, but always striving to promote
the interests Of his people on the Pacific
border, or to obtain comforts for his men
in camp. And how they loved him
How they confded in him! How they
clustered around him! When mutiny
was threatened by some Of his discon'
tented troops he queled it more by his
kind persuasion, by his clog lent appeals
to their seIf-respect and love Of country
than by angry menaces backed by loaded
muskets and bristling bayonets.