, 1861-12-16

Remarks of Senators Sumner and
8rossntng, and Representative Col1a1.
On "Wednesday last the death afSenator Baker
was announced in both Houses of Congress,
when eloquent md fitting eulogies wero
spoken. President Lincoln WIS In the Senate
during the proceedings In that body, and sat
By The side Of the Vice-President. The Senate
culog1es were delivered by. Mcssrs. Cowan,
Dixon, Sumner, Nes1nith, and Latham; those
in the House by Megsrs. Shic1, Phelps, Sar-
gent, Dunlap, ColGN, Richardson, Kelly,
and Riddle These tributes to departed worth
aud gallantrJ in the man and the soldier, were
genuine and sincere, and their perusa1 will in-
spire renewed feelings Of grief for the heroic
dead Senator. Want Of space ob1ises us to
abreyiate as much rs possible,
EULOGT OF MR. BROWNING. INTHE SENATE,
Mr. PRESIDENT: On taking my seat in the
Senate at its special session in July last, my
On the occasion Of proceedings conamernora-
tive Of the death Of the Hon. Stephen A.
Douglas, my fmmediate predecessor; and
now, Sir, at the commencement Of this my
second session, it becomes my melancholy
duly to bear part in the ceremonies in hon.
Of The State Of Illinois, whose memory Is not
less dear to the hearts Of her people, and
whose tfagical and untifnely death has shroud-
ed the Slate in mourning. I owe it to the
memories of the past and to the relations
which enbsiEted between us while he lived, to
cder some poor tribute to his worth, now
that he is dead. Few men who have risen to
positions Of great distinction and usefulness,
and left the impress Of their lives upon their
coun.rs's history, hare been less indebted to
10. o;1n a+a1a cf
He inherited neither ancestral wealth nor hon
o1s, but whatever of either he attained was
the reward Of his own energy and talents. He
was very literally "the architect Of his own
fortunes" He was a man Of rare endow-
menta, and Of such fitness and aptitude for
public emp1oyments as were sure to attract
public attention. He conld not, if he would,
have made his way through life, along its
quiet, graceful and secluded walks; and it
does him no discredit to say that he would
thy with his kind to be Indifferent to any ythins
which affected their welfare, and too hertie il
character to remain passive spectator Of
great and stirring events. He was emf
nent1y man Of action, and although fond
Of literature. and science and art, and
possessed Of a refined and cultivated
taste, he yet loved The sterner conflicts Of
life more than the quiet conquests of the
closet, and while q citizen Of Illinois served
her both as soldier and civilian, and won dis
tiHElioH wherever ne Acteu. nc Eau elhStlcl-
ty, strength, versatility and ferVor Of intellect,
and mind full Of resources His talents
we're both varied and brilliant, and capable Of
great achievements, but their usefulness Ha5
perhaps somewhat impaired by peculiarly
Of physical organization which made him one
Of the most restless Of men, and incapable
tai application, without which great re-
suits cannot often be attained. It was
not flckfencss, or unsteadincss of purpose,
but proud and impatient spurning Of re-
stralnt, contempt OF the beaten track of men
tai processes, and disgust with the dullness
and Wearlness OF confinement and inaction-
But this defect was to q very great extent
compensated By the wonderful ease and rnpid-
ity with which he could master any subject
upon Which he chose to concentrate the
powers Of his mind-by the marvellous facil-
facility with which he could use it. Whatever
le could do at all, he could do ut once and up
to the full measure Of his capacity Whatever
he could comprehend at MI, he could COM
p1ehend With the quickness of intuition, and
gained but little afferward by Investigation
resultsas other men do, BY the slow process
es Of analysis or induction, but if llc could
reach them at all, he could do it at
q bound. And yet it was not jump
ing at conclusions, for he could al
ways state with almost mathematical clear
AAHE NoA p!GC1G1OIJ3 IAG plElllat llOlu WHICH
lie made his deductions, and guide you along
the same path that he had travelled, to the
same goal. He saw at glaucc all the matte
rial, and MI tie relations Of the material, which
he inten1ed to use, to the subject in hand :;
but which another would have carefully and
| laboriously to search up and collect, to be
enabled to see at all; and diligently to collatc
| before understanding its uses and relations.
| To greater extent than most men, he COM
hined the force and suayity Of logic with
| grace, fancy and eloquence; 1il1ing at the bar
| at the same time, the character Of the astute
| and profound lawyer, and the able, eloquent
| and successful advocate; while In the Senate,
| the wise, prudent and discreet statesman was
combined with the chastc, classical, brilliant
and persuasive orator. But with ali his apti-
tude for, and adoption to- the highest and
nohlest pursuits Of the civilian, he lad nat
ura1 taste, talent and fondness for the life Of a
soldier. There was something in the buglc
blast OF VII, and the cannon's roar which reused
his soul to its profoundcst depths land he could
no more remain IN inglorious case at home
blasted the land, than the proud eagle could
descend from his home in the clouds to dwell
with the mopinE owl. Three times in his not
+ protraeted Life 6e led our citizen soldiers to
the embattled plain, to meet in deadly conflict
ms country foes Alas that he should lead
7hal them for the glorious strlfc-never moro
rouse to the " signal trumpet tone'' He has
fallen. "The fresh dust is chill upon the
breast that burned ereWhiIc with fires that
seemed immortal.''
"He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last
No sound shall awake him to glory again.
He was no untried soldier with q name vet
to win. It was already high on the roll Of
tame, and inaiesolubly linked with his coun-
trE's history. Years ago, at home and abroad,
hc had drawn his sword in his country's s
cause, and shed his blood in defence of Ills
rights. Years ago he had led on soldiers to
| battle, and by his ga]lnntry shed new lustro
upon our arms and historic interests on
Cerro Gordo's heights; and now he had that
his already written page Of history from blot
or stain, as well as to add to it another Leaf,
| equally radiant and enduring. It is, Mr..
President, to me source Of peculiar gratif1
cation to know that the history of the dis.s-
trous day which terminated his brilliant
truthfh1ly written, viii be lis fuil
and sufficient Yindication from any
charge Of temerity or recklessncss regarding
the lives Of those intrusted to his care. Be
was brave, ardent and impetuous, and when
wars stern strength was on his soul, u he no
doubt felt that " ono crowded hour Of glorious
life was worth an age without name.h [Mr.
Browning then referred to the fact that Sena.
tor Baker was also . poet, and spoke unde,
high inspiration, and il the many brilliant cfIn.
elUuE hAlCA Ht 1aAQ QilEQcQ OIL could be collect.
I'd, they would form no mean addition to the
poetic literature Of our country. Yet he was not
aware that any Of fthcse productions ever pass.
| CD beyonda limited circle of friends He then
closed as follows But his clear and manly
voice shall be heard in these halls no more
Never again shall these crowded galleries
hang breathless on his words: never again
the thronging multitude, who gathered whore.
ever be spoke, be thrilled By the magic Of his
eloqnence. The voice that could soothc to
oeilcious rcpose or rouse to 4 tempest o1
passion, Is now hushcd forever! The heart
once so fiery, brave, lies pulseless in tic
tomb, and all that is left TO his memory OF
MS home is the memory Of what he was. !
Will not attempt, Mr. President, to speak
poor cold words Of sympathy and consolation
TO the stricken hearts Of his family. I know,
sl, how bitter and irremcdiable their anguish
ls; Know, sir, how it rends the heart-strings
Ill willing though We be to lav our loved ones
rs sacnnces even on our eountry's altar The
death. dealing hand Of War has invaded nv
oWn household and slain It's victim there,
and | know that words bring no healing
to the griefs that follow these bereayes
menis., The heart turns despairing away
from "ho1ror's VOICE. which proTokes moi
the silent dust, and from the fattcrieg which
cannot "soothc the dull cold ear of death p
scenes their luster lose nd1essen in our sight.
Time alone can bring healing on its wings.
I Iimei the heantiher Of the dead
Adorner Of the ruin. comforter
| And only healer where the heatt hath b1ed.''
can alone mitignte, chnstcn and sanctify
the crushing soErow::; And not till al:
1 SFY1A ENey 4r41 ~