Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 9.djvu/388

360 T. W. Davenport. were therefore entitled to serious argument instead of Mr. Dryer's sovereign contempt. Nothing of a political nature, worthy of note, occurred in Southern Oregon until the spring of 1861, w^hen, after tke bombardment of Fort Sumter, the pro-slavery sympathizers began to be heard from again. Of the nineteen counties in the State at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, Jackson was the fourth in population, gave more pro-slavery votes and a greater percentage of them than any other county, and three years afterwards gave a greater vote for Brecken- ridge and Lane than any other, wherefore it was assumed by those of Southern sentiment, that Jackson County would be at least neutral in the contest. As a bit of humor it was re- ported that the Butte Creekers, living in the north end of the county, had in fact seceded. Indeed, if the prevailing talk were to be taken as proof, the whole of Jackson had gone out. Earnest Unionists were reminded every day that the public peace depended upon positive knowledge as to the position the vv^hole of Oregon would take in the approaching struggle. There was no election near at hand by which to ascertain public sentiment, and the State and county officers were elected before the issue arose, and most of them were Demo- crats. Calling public meetings and passing resolutions was in effect to precipitate wrangling with no decisive response. Really the time for talk had past and the time for action had come. A conference with the leading Republicans of Phoenix developed only divided counsels, and deeming delay dangerous, I drew up a subscription paper to obtain money for the pur- pose of raising a liberty pole and a United States flag. The real purpose was to segregate the political elements of Jackson County, and it was a method which dispensed with argument and would rally round the flag many whom argument would only confuse and who from habit and the delicious memory of other days would exult at sight of the starry banner of the Republic. Subscribers were limited to 50 cents and, after signing, I presented it to Harrison B. Oatman, a Republican,