New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-23

neSe oeen proud Oh the tribute which the weayer,s
appn 'ntice was about to lay upon hi, b,eos, Ia,
minute aitet Inc vast audience had setlad ,ia,f a.,
hear hA words, the orator did not speak. ne d;S
not look IA the cofln-nsy, neither 10 the riOb no,
left but the gaze OF his fixed eve was turned u,s.
his mind, and the still tears coursed rapidly 5o.
his cheek. Then, when the silence was the mo,.
intense, his trernuIl7us voice rose liks wall
and with an uninterrupted stream of Iofy
burning and pathetic words, be so penetrated
and possessed the hearts OF the sorrowipO multi
tude, that there was not one cheek less mcissened
than his own. For an hour he held them as with a
spell; and when he finished, by bending over
the calm face of the noble corse, and ssystch.
ing his arms forward with an impressive gss-
ture, exclaimed, in quiyeriDg accents Good
friend brave heart gallant leader hail and
FAREWELL the audience broke forth in general
response Of sobs. Never, perhaps, was eloqsence
more thrilling; never, certainly was it better adapt
ed to the temper Of is listeners The merit Of the
eulogy divided public eneomums with the virtues
Of the deceased and the orator became in-
vested with the dead Senator's political fortunes.
The territorial field in California being, however,
not open to immediate occupation, Col Baker trans
ferred himself to Oregon and there, the glow Of his
las. effort carried him 10 the highest honors Of
that State. He was elected Senator for the fun term
Of six years in 1860 and at the time Of his death Rad
enjoyed its lofty houors only for two SESSIONS How,
he improved the privilege Of his place BY great
Arguments in favor of the Constitution, aud by with
erng denunciatons Of the advocates of treason has
been gater of universal and applauding eogni,
zance. lie was, in fact, the master debater Of tie
, war term of Congress- and that he lad the courage
TO give his oratory force, the shrinking benjamin,
!, who withered at his words and the elanfhed Brock
i, inrdee whom he =" cast from the Tarpeian rock"
c. can well attest
Buteven these bonors ,sndthe acknowledged prom
inenes which he had won in HE last powerful po-
siton was not enough for biz active and daring spir
il while the country was in arms he left the Senate
to raise regiment, and wheo that was ready be Lad
il to the field. He FELL as W have stated, with the
" light of battle" on his feat tres; his death being
eloquent as his life and DInbuting by ils noble
manner, large compensation for bis ioss. The
event however, has penetrated The natios with the
deepest sorrow, and, at the ssn,stie, il has lain
new obligation on our settlement with treason.
Upon the writer of this article, perhaps, the
tdings of his loss fell with more startling effect
than upon any person else. IL wa Our SVV1IOi'u
TO know Col Baker well, and we had the honor to
entertain him as our guest at dinner on an afternoon
in the mouth of August last. On tina; OCCASION when
we expressed lin view of the recent disaster at Ma
nassas natural concern as to the der ortment OF has
troops be said: Wilkes, / have sons peculiar no.
tons ar to the part l to play in Ibis eKtraord-
nary war; and want you to bear in and that what
now say 10 you is not the result OF any idle fancy
or vague impression. 1t is doubtful # shall ever
again take my seat in the Senate J" 20 the look
Of surprise which / turned upon BIN at
this expression be replied 81 am certain shall not
live through this war, and if my troops should show
any want of resolution shall fall in the first battle.
cannot afford after my in Mexico, aud as a
Senator ofthe United States TO turn myface from the
enemy" There was no gloom or depression in his
manner, but it was characterized by temperate
earnestncss which made deep impression On my
mind.
Lo before October has shed lie leaves, his sword
es upon bis pulseess breast and histoga has become
the cerements of the grave.
" Good friend brave heart! gallant leader hail
and farewell 80 CIV.