Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 12.djvu/75

POLITICAL PARTIES IN OREGON 67 ites suppose that freemen are such craven cowards that they dare not vote as they please for fear of those who ordained Delazon Smith the high priest of the party to whom voters are held accountable for the discharge of a blood-bought privi- lege?" 1 "No language is too severe in which to attack the political assassins who have assaulted the liberties of the people for personal ends." 2 And thus opened up the memorable cam- paign of 1855. The situation was peculiar and complex. On the one hand was Democracy, fearful for its supremacy, but all the more determined and aggressive prepared for a desperate struggle. On the other hand, if the opposition was inchoate in 1854 it was more so in 1855. It now comprised Whigs, Americans or Know Nothings and prohibitionists or Maine Laws. There were no distinct lines of cleavage between them; neither were they in complete coalition, though the first two elements were practically in that relation. In December, during the legislative session, there had been a meeting of the Whigs at Salem for the purpose of furthering the organization of their party. Prominently figuring in the proceedings were David Logan, Dr. E. H. Cleaveland, Mark A. Chinn, E. N. Cooke, C. A. Reed, T. J. Dryer and Amory Holbrook. A Territorial central committee was appointed, with power to call a convention and fix the proportion of rep- resentation. County committeemen were also appointed for the several counties of the Territory. A statement, drawn up by the president and secretary, Cleaveland and Chinn, respectively, urged the Whigs to effect organization in view of the coming campaign. 3 Accordingly Whig county conventions were held in the spring all over the Territory, to elect delegates to the Territorial Convention and to nominate county tickets. With the Americans no general political organization was visible. Yet through their Wigwams they seemed to act with lOregonian, December 23. albid., December 30, 1854, January 6, January 13, 1855. 3lbid., December 30, 1854.