ment of Oregon, and the resources of Oregon were to be added to those of the nation; national soldiers were to help the colonists in their struggles against the Indians, and in time of need the soldiers of Oregon were to defend the interests of the nation.
The establishment of statehood in 1859 was the logical end of political evolution. A community can attain to nothing higher than to achieve a place in the council of the nation. It is both a benefit to be enjoyed and an obligation to be honorably met. If Oregon, in the past, has occupied a subordinate place in the development of national life, her position grows more important with the changes that are occurring, and her opportunity to take a more prominent part in 'national affairs grows greater.
Connection with the life of the nation brought with it the questions of national importance. Oregon always had its local party questions; but now it was to share in the great problems that stirred national feeling to its depths. The population of Oregon had established a reputation for political interest. An early California paper said that there were two occupations in Oregon, "agriculture and politics.' The politics of the earlier days was one-sided. The population was affiliated with the democratic party. But how could it be otherwise when that was the party which had included the men who had taken the greatest interest in the development of Oregon. The party of Jefferson, of Floyd and Benton, of Monroe and Linn, of Douglas and Polk, was not unfittingly the party of the colonists. In the whole history of the territorial government there was but one whig governor and his term of office was not a pleasant one. Mr. Lincoln was doubtless discreet when he replied to the president, who offered him the governorship of the Oregon territory, "No sir-ee."
