Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-01
MISCEILAN Y
From the New York Tfihune.
Death OF Col. Baker.

tor OF the United States. Nol. BAKER par
ticipated in the battle which took place near
Edwards Ferry, in Virginia, or the after
noon of Monday last, and fell at the head
of his troops while waving his sword, and
cheering on his men, by his death, the
country is deprived of one of lis most elo.
quent advocates in the superior chamber Of
our national legislation, and one Of its most
seasoned and fearless champions in the field.
/ Col. Baker, though his ripened years
presented him TO the country as an accom-
pishea lawyer, and a soldier of repute, be-
gun life under the most humble circum-
stances, and is indebted to no regular schol-
arship, either in literature or arms, for the
4 distinction which. in both of these posi-
| tions he achieved. lie was essentially one
of those spontaneous creations, which our
noble institutions so frequently develop, and
which are most honorably known among
us, as d" self.made men," And that Col
I Baker was high specimen of that class
may be seen by the difficulties which retard-
ed him at his outset, and the pitch Of the
elevation he attained.
The dead Senator was of English birth
but he came tothis country when five years
OF age, and by the choice of his father wa'
settled in Philadelphia, that Quaker neigh
borhood being especially congeniaias the OLD
gentleman was of the Society of" Friends.
In few years The father died, and left Ed.
ward and younger brother relaiionless
and unproyiled. Labor, however, that com
mon patron of the well and willing. ex
tended its resource through the cccupatioI
of his father, and lac obtained employment
as a weaver in small establishment il
South street OF that city. There he re
maned faithfully at work for considera
Die period Of time, deyotng his earning
for while to the support Of his brother, anc
gradually instrucling him, that he might il
time support himself. Possessed Of an ar
dent imagination, be naturally took deel
interest in reading, and being stimulated b.
tlle allurements Of romance, his taste en-
larged, until it embraced the whole rang
/. of sober as well rs illusiye literature. Bu
none, however. saw in that patient, thought
ful never-hagging boy, the future states
man whose youth was worthy OF III
Modesty is good maxim for the manner
OF youth, but genius always knows itself
and Edward Baker. whose mind had dive
upon the marvcls of the West, feeling with
in himself that confidence which inna;
strength inspires, determined TO seek Il
broad and inviting platform for his tuiur'
Youth needs but little preparation when
: sets out TO seek its fortune; and hope at a
times requires but little backing.
Edward, though he had but little mear
to make the journey, communicated his re-
ol4lion TO his brother, and the two hans
D loom journeymen, with their packs upo
I their shoulders, strong stails in their hand
7 and stcut, hopeful hearts within their b
" SONS. set their faces toward the Alleghauie
On foot, they undertook their ascent, ar
!, on foot they crossed and SO they trudg'
along through broad intervening State
until they found themselves in that portit
of the then far West which was known I
Illinois. Here the young men paused al
cast their lot, Edward selecting Sprlngile
as the special place of residence. Ther
in little while, lie was enabled 10 turn
account the legal reading which he had b
u gun in Philadelphia; and having hapT
gift of language to help it into use, he soC
was enabled to make a living at the la
By fast degrees he rose, and ripening WI
q exercise, il was not long before he vi
se among the most popular advocates at the ba
; Through hIs prosperity he was now ca
bled to look beyond the narrow circle
le the private spites and grieis. IN which u
mere attorney is required to abuse his MIN
: and the broad field of politics invited hl
to the discussion of more lofty topics.
Of embraced the doctrines of ;he Wing part
= aud transferred his eloquence TO the ioru
with such effect that he soon won has WI
TO Congress. lie occupied his seat IN 4
House of Representatives with dignity al
: credit. and was fast being recognized
one of the leaders OF that body, when q
tcmptations of the Mexican campaign a
pcaled to his ardent and enthusiastic min
and induced him to abandon civil liie, az
seek employment in the way OF war.
went 10 Illinois, raised a regiment and to-
i, TO the Rio Grande. A pause in the car
paien enabled him TO return temporarily
Washington, in order that he might EXPIRE
. himself upon the policy Of The war and c;
: his votes but that done, he went back
his command, and followed its fortunes
I'd the line from Vera Cruz. Al the aciio
of the contested road to Mexico recognlz
ss his valor; and when Shields fell at |
i've head of his brigade at Cerro Gordo, 1t
III Bakers distinguished fortune to rise TO
faI command, and TO lead the New York re
ments through the bloody struggles OF Il
dav. Well do we mind the lofty look W
s"s which the noble Senator, fifteen years m'