Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/368



Edward Dickinson Baker was born in London, England, February 24, 1811. Five years later his father's family located in Philadelphia where Edward was apprenticed at an early age to a weaver. Later young Baker drove a dray in St. Louis. He was admitted to the bar in Illinois, obtained a Major's commission in the Black Hawk War, was commissioned colonel in the Mexican War; became a member of congress from Illinois in 1849; located in California; moved to Oregon, and in 1860 was elected United States Senator. His was a dramatic career while in the senate. Attired in the full uniform of a colonel, he appeared before his fellow Senators in a stirring defense of the Union, August 2, 1861; and four days later was confirmed Brigadier General. He fell in battle at Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861.

As an orator and poet, Senator Baker treated each subject in its appropriate individual style. He was enabled to give a typical plea in the "Defense of Cora;" tart repartee in his "Reply to Benjamin;" the fiery animus of Patrick Henry in the "Baker Mass-Meeting Address;" human sympathy in the "Broderick Oration;" ornate style in the "Oration on the Atlantic Cable;" and poetry and music in the "Ode to a Wave." On all occasions the flight of the "Old Gray Eagle" was lofty, attracting the minds of men from sordid thoughts and groveling themes.