or had denounced every levy of the Roman people, every
expenditure of its treasure, every appeal to the old recollections
and the old glories?"

Mr. Fessenden, who sat near Baker, responded in an undertone "He
would have been hurled from the Tarpeian Rock." Baker, with his
aptness and readiness, turned the interruption to still further
indictment of Breckinridge: "Are not the speeches of the senator
from Kentucky," he asked, "intended for disorganization? are they
not intended to destroy our zeal? are they not intended to animate
our enemies? Sir, are they not words of brilliant, polished
_treason_, even in the very Capitol of the Republic?"

It is impossible to realize the effect of the words so eloquently
pronounced by the Oregon senator. In the history of the Senate,
no more thrilling speech was ever delivered. The striking appearance
of the speaker in the uniform of a soldier, his superb voice, his
graceful manner, all united to give to the occasion an extraordinary
interest and attraction.

The reply of Mr. Breckinridge was tame and ineffective. He did
not repel the fierce characterizations with which Colonel Baker
had overwhelmed him. He did not stop to resent them, though he
was a man of unquestioned courage. One incident of his speech was
grotesquely amusing. He was under the impression that the suggestion
in regard to the Tarpeian Rock had been made by Mr. Sumner, and he
proceeded to denounce the senator from Massachusetts with bitter
indignation. Mr. Sumner looked surprised, but having become
accustomed to abuse from the South, said nothing. When next day
it was shown by the _Globe_ that Mr. Fessenden was the offender,
Mr. Breckinridge neither apologized to Mr. Sumner, nor attacked
the senator from Maine. The first was manifestly his duty. From
the second he excused himself for obvious reasons. After his
experience with Baker, Breckinridge evidently did not court a
conflict with Fessenden.

The course of Mr. Breckinridge was in direct hostility to the
prevailing opinion of his State. The Legislature of Kentucky passed
a resolution asking that he and his colleague, Lazarus W. Powell,
should resign their seats, and, in the event of refusal, that the
Senate would investigate their conduct, and, if it were found to
be disloyal, expel them. Mr. Breckinridge did not wait for such
an investigation. In the autumn of 1861 he joined the Rebellion,
and was welcomed by the leaders and the people of