Year: 1861

The most famous GRAFTON pronounced in
America, since the days of Webster, was
that of Edward D. Baker over the dead
body of David Broderick in San Francisco,
on the 18th of September, 1859. The con-
cluding passages are strangely appropriate
to the occasion OF the death of their au.
thor:


A Senator lies dead 10 our midst He
is wrapped in bloody shroud, and we, to
whom his tolls and cares were given, are
about to bear him to the place appointed
for all the living. 1t is not fit that such
man should pass to the tomb unheralded
it is not fit that such life should steal un-
noticed to its close it is not fit that such a
death should call forth no rebuke, or be
surrounded by no public lamentation. We
are here of every station and pursuit, of
every creed and character, each in his capa.
city of citizen, to swell the mournful tribute
which the majesty of the people offers to the
unreplying dead. The hopes of high-hearted
friends droop like fading flowers upon his
breast, and the struggling sigh compels the
tear in eyes that seldom weep. Around him
are those who have known him best and
loved him longest; who have shared the
triumph, and endured the defeat. Near him
are the gravest and noblest of the State,
possessed by grief at once earnest and sin.
cere; while beyond, the masses of the people
that be loved, and for whom his life was
given, gather like thunder cloud of SWELL
ing and indignant grief.


And now, as the shadows turn towards
the east, and we prepare to bear these poor
remains to their silent resting place, let us
not seek to repress the generous pride which
prompts recital of noble deeds OF manly
virtues. He rose unaided and alone he
began his career without family or fortune,
in the face Of difficulties he inherited pow
erty and obscurity; be died Senator in
Congress, having written his name in the
history the great struggle for the rights
of the people against the despotism of or
ganizaton and the corruption of power
he leaves in the hearts Of his friends the
tenderest and the prOudest recollections.
lie was honest, faithful, earnest, sincere,
generous and brave. He felt, in all the
great crisis of his life, that be was leader
in the ranks and for the rights Of masses of
men, and be could not fater. When he re-
turned from that fatal field, while the dark
wing of the Archangel of death was cast
ing bis shadows upon his brow, his greatest
duty. He felt that all his strength and all
his life belonged to the cause TO which he
had devoted them. "Baker," said he, and
to me they were his last words-"Baker,
when l was struck tried to stand firm, but
the blow blinded me, and could rot" l
trust it is no shame to my manhood that
tears blinded me as he said it.


But fellow citizens, the voice of lanenta-
tion is not uttered by private friendship
aiOne-the blow that struck his manly
breast has touched the heart of people,
and as the sad tidings spread, general
gloom prevails. Who now can speak
for California? Who be the Interpreter
of the wants of the Pacific coast i? Who
can appeal to the community of the Attain
tic who love free labor? Who can speak
for masses of men with passionate love
for the classes from whence he sprung?
Who can defy the Establishments of power,
the insoIence of Office, the corruptions of
Administrations -? What hopes are buried
with him in the grave?


"Ah who that gallant spirit shall resume.
Leap from Eurotas' bank, and call US from
the tomb


But the last word must be spoken and
the imperious mandate of death must be
fulfilled. Thus 0, brave heart we bear
thee to thy rest. Thus, surrounded by tens
of thousand, we leave thee to the equal
grave. AS in life no other voice among us
so rung its trumpet blast upon the ear of
freedom, so in death its echoes will reverber.
ate amid our mountains and our valleys,
until truth and valor cease to appeal to the
human heart.


Good friend true hero hail and farewell |!