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POLITICAL PARTIES IN OREGON 321 joined the Argus and Oregonian in the jubilant expression of satisfaction over the result. Reports appeared in the press that the joyous Republicans of the state held celebrations of the victory that in some cases one hundred guns were fired in "glorification" on receipt of the news of Baker's election. But even then they could not know the significance of what had taken place. This sena- torial election takes a highly important place in the political his- tory of this very critical period, both locally and nationally. Locally, it marked the complete disruption of the Oregon De- mocracy and paved the way for the Union movement in Ore- gon which was effected in 1862. Nationally, it sent a man in E. D. Baker to the United States Senate, who, by his impas- sioned oratory and inspiring personal example, strengthened the whole country with an answering thrill of loyalty and a determination to meet bravely the crisis of the nation. With the senatorial question settled, renewed attention was given the approaching presidential election. The Statesman labored aggressively for Douglas, and as the campaign ad- vanced, had much more to say against Breckinridge than against Lincoln, though by no means countenancing Republi- canism. Bush addressed a special appeal to the supporters of Bell and Everett, to be true to their name of "Constitutional Union party" by voting for Douglas and by not throwing away their votes and helping to give Oregon to one of the sectional parties. 1 To the "Southern Men" he urged that Douglas maintained the old Democratic doctrine that the people of the Territories should regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, while Lincoln and Breckinridge, "twin brothers on intervention," declared that Congress should regulate for them. 2 The Union was equally energetic and violent in behalf of Breckinridge and Lane, begging Democrats not to throw away votes on Douglas, but to vote for Breckinridge to defeat Lin- coln and save the Union. A greater number of the Democratic 1 Statesman, Oct 29. 2 Statesman, Nor. 5.