Year: 1861

and Edward Baker, whose mind had dwelt upon
the marvels OF the West, feeling withiL himself
that confidence which innate strength inspires,
determined TO seek it's broad and inviting plat.
form for bis future. Youth needs but little pre-.
paratOn when it sets out to seek its fortune and
hope at all times requires but little backing.


Edward, though he had but little means to
make the journey, communicated his resolution
to bis brother, and the two hand loom journey.
men, with packs upon their shoulders, strong
staffs, in their hands, and stout, hopeful hearts
within their bosOms, sat their faces toward the
Alleghanes. On foot, they undertook their as.
cent, and on foot they crossed; and SO they
trudged along through broad intervening States,
until they found themselves in that portion uf
the then far West which was known as Illinois.
Here the young men paused and cast their lot,
rdward selecting Springfield as the special place
Of residence. There, in a little while, be was
enabled to turn to account the legal reading
which he had begun in Philadelpha; and bav-
ing happy gift of language to help it into use,
he soon Was enabled to make living at the law
BY fast degrees he rose, and ripening with exer.
else, it was not long before he was among the
mOst popular advocates at the bar.


Through his prosperity he was now enabled
to look beyond the narrow circle of the private
sRltes and GEj' Fheb his b tRe ana tie 6fSGsd
field of politics invited him to the discussion of
more lofty topics. He embraced the doctrines
of the Whig party, and transferred his eloquence
to the forum with such effect that he soon won
his way to Congress. He occupied his seat in
the House of Representatives with dignity and
credit, and was fast being recognized as one of
the leaders of that body, when the temptations
OF the Mexican campaign appealed to his ardent
and enthusiastic mind, and induced him to aban-
don ~ md -, 81,
way of war. He went to Illinois, raised q regi.
ment and took it to the Rio Grande. A pause
in the campaign enabled him to return tempora.
rily to Washington, in order that he might e1
press himself upon the policy of the war and
east his votes; but that done, he went back to
his command, and followed its fortunes on the
line from Vera Cruz. All the actions of the con.
tested road to Mexico recognized his valor and
whec Shields fell at the head of his brigade at
Cerro Gordo, it was Bakers distinguished fortune
to rise to the command, and to lead the New
York regiments through the bloody struggles Of
that day. Well do We mind the lofty look with
which the noble Senator, fifteen years more of
: q a'4 on s; ss:n a IN April last. when M
oil together, We pledged ourselves at Union
square to avenge the parricidal blow at Sumter


Returning to Illinois in triumph, Col Baker
was again elected to represent bis district in the
halls Of Congress; and he served there until
1850, but at the end of his term, he yielded to
some views of business and went out for while
to Panama. The fever, however, soon drove
him home, where being recruited in bis health,
q new contagion touched his mind. This was
the memorable epidemic which directed univer-
sal attention to the Pacific shore: and yielding to
the fascination, the soldier who had become un.
settled BY the excitements of the war, turned his
footsteps to the new Eldorads Of the West His
fame had gone before him, and he was spared
any efforts to popularixe himself in this new
field of effort. He took at once q superior posi-.
ton at the bar of San Francisco, and large
proportion of the heavy cases of the circuit,
sought the advantage of his treatment. By
common consent he was acknowledged to be
the most eloquent speaker in California !;
but proof was in reserve, in a circumstance
beyond the mere limits Of forensic eloquence,
to create for him the claim of being perhaps,
the most accomplished orator in the world.
Broderick, that noble young tribune, who had
defended California from the doom of Sls.
very, and stood the etern bulwark against the
domineering hordes of Southern "Chivalry," :"
had been taken in the tolls of band of pistol
sharps, and slain.


They have killed me because l was opposed
70 the extension sf Slavery and q corrupt Ad.
ministraton," was the last declaration of the dy-
ing Senator; and az the words fell from his lips,
they became IRE in the heart Of the weeping or
asor who helped to close his eyes.


The empire city of the Western Ocean was
stepped in gloom At the contemplation of the
monstrous deed. All trade was stopped; no
sound OF hustle was heara along the street and,
BY common consent, without pageant or parade,
or any sound but the low, measured, muffled
throb Of the church bells, the detected people,
walking as il they almost held their breaths,
gathered in the main square, and formed them
selves, like 80 many shadows round the bier.
At the foot of the coffin stood the priest; at its
head, and % be could gaze freely on the face of
his dead friend, stood the pale figure of the ora.
tor. Both Of them, the living and the dead,
we're self-made men and the son of the stone.
cutter, lying in mute grandeur, with q record
floating rornd that coffin which bowed the head
of the surrounding thousands down ia mute re
spect, might have been proud of the tribute
which the weaver's apprentice was about TO lay
upon his breast. For minutes after the vast au
dience had settled itself to hear his words, the
orator did not speak. he did not look in the
cof6n-nay, neither to the right nor the left
but the gaze Of his fixed eye vas turned within


his mind, and still tears coursed rapidly down hi.
cheek. Then, when the eilence was the moe


intense, bis tremulous voice rose like vail, ant


with an uninterrupted stream of lofty, burning


aud pathetic words, hs % penetrated and DOS


sessed the hearts Of the sesrowing multitude