Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 10.djvu/24

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS

three weeks ago the disasters^ which have over- taken our arms; and I do not think (if I were to predict now) that six months hence the sen- ator will indulge in the same tone of prediction which is his favorite key now. I would ask him what would you have us do now — a Confederate army within twenty miles" of us, advancing, or threatening to advance, to overwhelm your gov- ernment; to shake the pillars of the tJnion; to bring it around your head in ruins if you stay here?

Are we to stop and talk about an uprising sentiment in the North against the war? Are we to predict evil, and retire from what we pre- dict? Is it not the manly part to go on as we have begun, to raise money, and levy armies, to organize them, to prepare to advance; when we

tent in the field, entered the Senate-chamber at the eastern door, wearing his blue army coat and fatigue cap, a riding whip In his hand and his sword in its scabbard. Blaine, In his " Twenty Years of Congress," describes how Baker " laid his sword upon his desk " and sat down, listening to Breckenridge. When Brecken- ridge had finished. Baker, " his face aglow with excitement, sprang to the floor. No more thrilling speech was ever delivered. The striking appearance of the speaker in the uniform of a soldier, his 8uj)erb voice, his graceful manner, all united to give the occasion an extraordinary interest." Eleven weeks later Baker lay dead on the field of Ball's Bluff.

' In the first battle of Bull Run the Federals lost 481 killed, 1,011 wounded, and 1 421 missing; the Confederates, 387 killed and 1,582 missing. The Federals, put to rout, also lost 28 guns and 5,000 small arms.

'^ The field of Bull Run Is twenty-five miles southwest of Wash- ington.

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