Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-01

selves at Union square, TO ayenge the par
riciGal blow at Sumter.
Returning TO Illinois in triumph, Col.
Baker was again elected to represent his
district in the halls of Congress; and he
served there until 1850. but at the end of
his term, he yielded to some views of busi-
ness. and went out for while to Panama.
The fever, however, soon drove him home,
where, being recruited in his health a new
contagion touched his mind. This was the
memorable epidemic which directed univer-
sal attention to the Pacific shore and
yielding to the fascination, the soldier who
had become unsettled by the excitements
of the war, turned his footsteps to the new
Eldorado of the West. His fame had gone
before him, and he was spared any effort
10 popularze himself in this new field of
effort He took at once superior posi-
large proportion Of the heavy cases Of the
circuit, sought the advantage of his treat.
ment. BY common consent he was ae-
knowledged TO be the most eloquent speak
er in California but proof was in reserve,
in a circumstance beyond the mere limits
of forensic eIoquence, 10 create for him the
claim of being, perhaps, the most accom-
plished orator in the world. Broderick,
that noble young tribune, who had defended
California from the doom of Slavery, and
. stood the bulwark against the domineering
hordes of Southern Chiyary," had been
taken in the toiis of band of pistol sharps,
and slain.
! They have killed me because was op-
posed TO the extension of Slavery and a
corrupt Administration, was the last dec
laration of the dying Senator; and as the
words fell from his lips, they became fire in
the heart Of the weeping orator who helped
to close his eyes.
: The empire Of the Western Ocean was
1 stepped in gloom al the contemplation of
I the monstrous deed. All trade was stopped ;
no sound of hustle was heard along the
street; and by common consent, without
pageant or parade, or any sound but the
low, measured. muffed tbrob OF the church
bells, the detected people, walking as il
/ they almost held their breaths, gathered in
The main square, and formed themselves
, like so many shadows round the bier. Al
+ the foot Of the coffin stood the priest; al
: its head, and 50 he could gaze freely on the
e face OF his dead friend, stood the pale fig
L ure Of the orator. Both of them, The liz
: ing and the dead were selfmade men; and
Z the son Of the stone-cuuer, lying in mute
/. grandeur, with record foating round thai
: coffin which bowed the head of the sur
rounding thousands down in mute respect
1t might have been proud Of the tribute which
J. the weaver's apprentice was about TO lay
e upon his breast. For minutes after the
Is vast audience had settled itself 10 hear hi
E. words, the orator did not speak. lie dis
it not look in the cofIin-nay, neither to th'
II right nor the left but the gaze of his tixet
eve was turned within his mind, and th'
Is sill tears cour<ed rapidly down his cheek
5 Then, when the silence was the most IN
a. tense, his tremulous voice rose like wal
N and with an uninterrupted stream Of lofty
5, burning and pathetic words, he SO pene
o. trated and possessed the hearts of the sor
<. rowing multitude, that there was not on
ID cheek less moist than his own. For a
ID hour he held them as with spell an
!. when he finished, by bending over the caln
IN face af the noble corse, and stretching hi
As arms forward with an impressive gesture
ID exclaimed in quivering accents, " Goo
Id friend brave heart. gallant leader hai
e. and farewell ! J" the audience broke forth i
70 general response Of sobs. Never, per
e. hans. was eloquence more thrilling never
" certainly, was ii better adapted to the tenn
IN per of its listeners. The merit Of the eu
X. Iogv divided public encomiums with tn
III virtues Of the deceased, and the orator be
As came invested with the dead Senator's pc
n ltieal fortunes. The territorial field in Ca
A. ifornia being, however, not open to imme
of date occupation, Col. Baker transterre
he himself TO Oregon, and there, the glow c
A; his last effort soon carried him 10 the high
m e.t bonors of that State. lie was electe
IL Senator for the full term Of six years !
! 1850. and AZ the time of his death had en-
IN ioyed its lefty honors only for two sessions
ay How he improved the privilege OF his plae
he by great arguments in favor OF the Constl
nd tuition, and by wilhering denunciations
as the advocates of treason, has been mat
he ter OF universal and applauding cosnzanc'
n He was. in fact the master deba,er of th
a war term of Congress, aud that he had tn
nd courage TO give his oralory force, the shrink
lie inr Benjamin, who withered at bis words
ok and the blanched Breekinridse, whom h
NJ :. cast from the Tarpeian rock" can We
to attest.
IS But even these honors, and the acknow
4, edged proninence which he had won in hi
to last powerful position, was not enough 10
on his active and daring spirit while the conr
ms try was in arms He left the Ssnate TO rais
fu