Year: 1861




was that of Edward D. Baker over the
dead body of David Broderick in San
Francisco, ON the 18th Of September,
1859. The concluding passages are
strangely appropriate to the occasion of
the death Of their author:


A Senator lies dead in 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. It is
not fit that such man should pass to
the tomb unheraldod; it is not fit that
such life should steal unnoticed to its
close; it is not fit that such death
should call forth no rebuke, OR be sur
rounded by no public lamentation. We
are here of every station and pursuit, of
every creed and character, each in his
capacity of citizen, to swell the mourn
full tribute which the majesty of the peo-
pie offers to the unrepiying dead The
hopes Of high hearted friends droop
like fading flowers upon his breast, and
the struggle sigh compels the tear in
eyes that seldom weep. Around him
are those who have known him best, and
loved him longest; who h ave shared the
triumph, and endured the defeat. Near
him are the gravest and noblest of the
State, possessed by grief at once earn.
est and sincere; while beyond, the
masses Of the people that he loved, and
for whom his life was given, gather like
thunder cloud of swelling and indig,
nant grief.


And now, as the shadows turn to-
wards the east, and we prepare to bear
these poor remains to their silent rest
ing place, let US no seek to repress the
genera US pride which prompts recital
Of noble deeds and manly virtues. He
rose unaided and alone; he began his
career without family or fortune, in the
face of difficulties; he inherited poverty
and obscurity; he died a Senator in Con-
gress, having written his name in the
history Of the great struggle for the
rights of the people az inst the despot,
ism of organization and the corruption
Of power. He leaves in the hearts oi
his friends the tenderest and the proud
est recollectioEs. He was honest, faith
lul, Sll ASSS, SthSSAS) SSAC1OCS3 dIO
brave. He felt, in all the great crisis
Of his life, that he was leader in the
ranks and for the rights of the masses ot
men, and he could not falter. When
he returned from that fatal field, while
the dark wing of the Archangel of
death was casting his shadows upon his
brow, his greatest anxiety was as to the
performance Of his duty He felt that
all his streng h 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
was struck [ tried to stand firm, but
the blow blinded me, and | gould not. y
[ trust it is no shame to my manhood
that tears blinded me as lie said it.


But, fellow citizens, the voice of lam
entation is not uttered by private friend
ship alone-the blow that struck his
manly breast has touched the heart of a
people, and as the sad tidings spread, a
general gloom prevails. Who now
Shall speak for California? Who be
the interpreter of the wants Of the Pa
cifc coast? Who can appeal to the
community Of the Atlantic 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 insolence of otfice, the corruptions
Of Administrator? What hopes are
buried with him Ill the grave?


''Ah who that gallant spirit shall resume,


Leap from Eurotas' bank, and call us from


the tomb?"


But the last word must bo spoken and
the imperiogs mandate Of dsath must be
fulfilled. Thus, . brave heart! we bear
thee to thy rest. Thus, surrounded by
tens of thousands, we leave thee to the
equal grave. AS in life, no other voice
among us SO rung is trumpet blast upon
the ear Of freedom 80 in death its ech-
oes will reverberatc amid our mountains
and our valleys, until truth and valor
cease to appeal to the human heart.
Good friend! true hero! hail and fare
yell!