Edward
Baker
was born in London, England in 1811.
When he was a child his family emigrated to the United States. Baker
worked in a cotton mill before moving in 1825 to New Harmony, Indiana,
a socialist community founded by Robert
Owen, Robert Dale Owen and Fanny
Wright.
Baker studied law in Carrollton, Illinois. He later moved to Springfield
where he opened a law office. A member of the Whig
Party, Baker became a close friend of Abraham
Lincoln. Together they served in the Illinois Senate. In 1843
Baker and Lincoln both competed to be the Whig's candidate for the
Sangamon County seat in the House of Representative. Baker won the
nomination and the seat but the two men remained friends and in 1846
he named his son, Edward Baker Lincoln,
after him.
In 1852 Baker moved to San Francisco where he joined the Free
Soil Party. Three years later he failed to win election to the
Senate. In 1859 he ran as a member of the Republican
Party but still failed to win a seat in Congress. The Democratic
Party was too strong in this area so he moved to Oregon where
he won in 1860. When Abraham Lincoln
became president Baker rode in his friend's carriage during the inaugural
parade.
On the outbreak of the American Civil War
Baker he helped to raise the California Regiment. Given the rank of
colonel, Edward Baker was killed in action at the Battle of Ball's
Bluff on 22nd October, 1861.
(1)
Edward Baker, speech in Congress on Abraham Lincoln's decision to
mobilize for war (10th July, 1861)
I propose to ratify whatever needs ratification. I propose
to render my clear and distinct approval not only of the measure but
of the motive which promoted it. I propose to lend the whole power
of the country, arms, men, money, and place them in his hands with
authority almost unlimited, until the conclusion of this struggle.
I want sudden, bold, forward, determined war; and I do not think anybody
can conduct war of that kind as well as a dictator.
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