The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-26
MONUMENT TO BAKER.
Plea OF an Illinois Paper For Recognition
of an Oregon Patriot.

of an Oregon Patriot.
The FultonQll) Oemorcrat has the
following urgent appeal in support OF
the suggestion recently made that
monument be erected in memory of
Col. Z. d. Baker:
Eearly in the '40s there appeared
among the old giant lawyers on this
circuit a young man who by his ability
as a lawyer and his fiery oratory cap
tured the bar and entranced the people.
He was very handsome and winning In
private life, but on the hastings or be-
fore jury he was very tornado OF
impetuous eloquence.
When the Mexican war came on,
Ned" Baker promptly left his seat in
congress and organized the Fourth
regiment Illinois volunteers. One of
the companies was commanded by
Captain Lewis w. Ross. with Leonard
F. Ross as first lieutenant. and this
company was largely composed of
other Lewiston and Fulton county
men, very few of whom survive. Col.
Ned Baker and his men bore a con-
spicuous part in the glorious battles
of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo Colonel
Baker, especially by his impetuous
courage and rare military skill. won
great renown.
Thereafter Colonel Baker at various
in congress. Then he went to Califor-
MIA, where he at once took rank as the
leading orator of the state, and where,
in 1859, he delivered an Grafton on the
death of Senator Broderick, who fell
in duel. which made him famous
wherever the English language is
spoken.
Removing to the new state of Ore
gon, he was, in 1860, elected to the
United States senate by a union of re-
publicans and Douglas democrats.
In the midst OF his splendid career
as senator the civil war came on. With
his old martial spirit predominant he
at once, in Washington, organized
regiment, mainly of men from Califor-
MIA, and went out across the Potomac
in defense of the national capital
The Democrat then produces ex-
tracts from Blaine's book concerning
Colonel Baker, and then goes on the
say:
This grand hero-statesman fell at
the battle of Balls Bluff, october 2l
1861, while leading his command into
the hottest of the fight. 1t was a
dramatic ending of a singularly bril-
liant life.
And yet, and yet. after all this SER
vice rendered Illinois in the state legis-
! lature, in congress and on the battle
| fields of two wars: his services to Ore
his services to California as comman-
der of her soldiers; his services to the
Union in laying down his life in one
of the first battles against secession
and rebellion-the body of this grand
| patriot and hero rests on the shore of
| the Pacific with simply a marble slab
| to mark his grave.
Is this creditable TO the great state
| of Illinois that he served so faithfully
/ and so well? Do the states of Oregon
and California feel that they have done
their full duty to this one of their most
| gallant and worthy sons? Can the
/ United States government. whose uni
\ form he wore when he fell with his
| face to her enemies. his body pierced
with nine rebel bullets hav any just
cause for pride and exultation over the
! situation?
For shame, Illinois! Shame. oregon
i and California; And let the United
| States government hang her head i'm
shame until justice is done to Edward
Dickinson Baker, one of her most faith
| full and gallant sons and heroes!