New-York tribune., 1906-04-08
COL. BAKER DEFENDED.
Attack ON Memory of CiOiI Var
Hero and Statesman AnS1Cered.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The heroes of a nation are its most
precious possessions. We fortify the entrances
70 our harbora. We maintain fleets to protect
our commerce Let not be Indifferent to
the good name OF our nations heroes. In the
rot of great, good serviceable men developed
by tho extraordinary period that eliminated in
the war for liberty and union. moro splendid
and admirable character appears than Edward
Dickinson Baker The Hon. Edward Stanly
pronounced him "one Of the most remarka-
BILE men OF modern times" Mr.. McDougan, OF
California, speaking Of Baker in the United
States Senate in 1861. said: I'm long future
wears. whom our night of horror shall have
passed, and there shall come again
The welcome morning with its rays Of peace.
vo,r0 seekers after fame and young lovers OF
freedom throughout all this land. yea and other
ami distant lands viii recognize, honor ana
initiate our late associate as one Of the undy-
ing dead" Congressman Sergeant declared
that when history makes record or the herolc
deeds done in this holy war the name OF Ed
ward D. Baker will inspire to subimest praise
and his memory be preserved from age TO age
like the sacred fire upon Vesta's altar James
Dixon. Of Connecticut. than whom no more
iudicious and respected man ever sat IN the
national Senate and who had known Baker
believe. not only a great, but a good man Yet
this Baker who valiantly served his adopted
countrv-for he was born IN England-f1rst as
q volunteer in the Black Hawk War, then as
colonel in the Mexican War. when he won I'M
nerishable glory and finally in the CIVIL war
when he gave his life at the battle OF BalFs
Bluff while obeying an order which, When II
no. recaived he declared was his death war
rant"-this Baker as eloquent man as ever
lived In any land in any age, as brave as ne
was eloquent and gentle as he was brave was
only recently Indignantly aspersed by writer
y, .e7,he washington Post" who masks his iden-
+,tv behind the sobriquet OF "Savoyard." I
q returned Californian. who have witnessed Bak-
er.s nonularity. have known his Incompatible
charm and have somewhat studied his career
orava sDace 10 answer that communication.
The sympathies Of "SavOyard" are betrayed
through his praise of Judah P. Benjamin, Robert
Toombs and Jefferson Davis. but the animus
of the detraction of Baker is obviously still
cherished resentment for Bakers reply to the
speech of John c. Breckenridge in the Senate in
Julv 1861. "Savoyard" disparages Bakers
share in the debate and calls his speech ruff
family" Charles Sumner praised this ''rutianly''
speech in brilliant terms; James w. Nesmith,
Democratic Senator from Oregon, spoke Of it
admiringly; and even Senator Latham. OF Cali
fornia who supported Breckenridge for Presi-
dent Of the United States, said. I'm my judgment
his (Baker's) impromptu reply to Senator
breckenridge during our session in July
his ablest In the Senate" Mr.. Blaine says in his
book (Vol. l. p. 345), I'm the history Of the Sen
ate no more thrilling speech was ever delivered"
"Savoyard" refers to Bakers reply TO Benja-
min as "a stump speech" declines to mention II
as an argument at all, except in the suggestive
sneer of quotation marks, and adds that "as
for argument he did not know the meaning of
the word" Charles Sumner, addressing the
Senators, said. You have not forgotten that
speech. Perhaps the argument against the
sophisms Of secession was never better arranged