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322 W. C. WOODWARD papers of the state supported the Breckinridge than the Doug- las ticket. 1 In the East, as the campaign advanced, it seemed at least entirely possible that no candidate would have a ma- jority of the electoral votes, which, according to the Constitu- tion, would throw the election of President into the lower house of Congress. But according to the political complexion of that body, an election would apparently still be impossible. The election of vice president would be in the hands of the Senate, where it was thought the Southern Democrats would be strong enough to elect their candidate Lane, who would thus become President of the United States, the house having failed to choose a chief executive. In view of the fact that the hope for such a denouement became prevalent among Eastern Democrats, as a last resort for defeating Lincoln, it is rather surprising that no reflection of this purpose is seen during the campaign in Lane's own state. The Republican press hewed to the line for Lincoln, attack- ing with equal vigor the pretensions of the two Democratic parties. As usual, "Parson" Adams furnished the most striking and picturesque illustrations of the Republican attitude. "Fight on, ye mercenary hounds," was his encouraging word to the Democratic factions. They were cheerfully informed that while they were telling the truth about each other and proving their unfitness for future trusts, the people were looking upon their discomfiture with indifference as to who might prove the vic- tor. "Have at you then, ye bullying Disunionists and ye time- serving Dough-faces! We need not the cowardly threats of one or the servile whinings of the other." 2 In an editorial on "Disunionism", he said : "The Douglas organs are making a terrible hulla-baloo about the Disunionism of the Breckin- ridge party. This is all very well as their charges are true, and being true, it ought to damn every Disunion tool in the country. But then we can see no great difference in the two 1 Among the papers supporting Breckinridge, were the Union, Oregon Demo- crat, Jacksonville Sentinel, Eugene Herald, Roseburg Express and Portland Daily News; supporting Douglas, were the Statesman, Portland Times, Portland Adver- tiser and The Dalles Mountaineer. 2 Argus editorial, Sept. 29 "When Thieves Fall Out, Honest Men Get Their Dues."