His reply, abounding in denunciation and invective, was not lacking in the more solid and convincing argument.
He rapidly reviewed the situation, depicted the character of the Rebellion, described the position of Breckinridge, and passionately asked, "What would have been thought, if, in another Capitol, in a yet more martial age, a senator, with the Roman purple flowing from his shoulders, had risen in his place, surrounded by all the illustrations of Roman glory, and declared that advancing Hannibal was just, and that Carthage should be dealt with on terms of peace?
What would have been thought, if, after the battle of Cannae, a senator 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.