portion of the members were in favor of regarding their assembly as a state body, and framing their acts accordingly. Others thought that endless discussions would arise as to the authority of the constitution before its approval by congress, and were for making only such local laws as were required. Great efforts were made to keep the subject of slavery in the background, lest by the divisions of the democratic party on that issue, the democratic majority at the first state election should be lessened or endangered. After some miscellaneous business, and the election of territorial officers,[1] the assembly adjourned December 19th to meet again on the 5th of January. On the day of the adjournment the democratic central committee held a meeting to arrange for a state convention, at which to nominate for the June election in 1858.
At the election of 1858 there were three parties in the field, Oregon democrats, national democrats,[2] and republicans.[3] The national faction could not get beyond a protest against tyranny. It nominated J. K. Kelly for representative in congress, and E. M. Barnum for governor.[4] The republicans nominated an entire ticket, with John R. McBride for congressman and John Denny for governor. Feeling that
- ↑ Most of the old officers were continued; Joseph Sloan was elected superintendent of the penitentiary. Or. Statesman, Dec. 22, 1857.
- ↑ The nationals were the few too independent to submit to leaders instead of the people. Their principal men were William M. King, Nathaniel Ford, Thomas Scott, Felix A. Collard, Andrew Shuck, George Rees, James H. Slater, William Allen, and S. P. Gilliland.
- ↑ The platform of the republican party distinctly avowed its opposition to slavery, which it regarded as a merely local institution, one which the founders of the republic deprecated, and for the abolition of which they made provisions in the constitution. It declared the Kansas troubles to be caused by a departure from the organic act of 1787, for the government of all the territory then belonging to the republic, and which had been adhered to until 1854, since which a democratic administration had endeavored to force upon the people of Kansas a constitution abhorrent to their feelings, and to sustain in power a usurping and tyrannical minority—an outrage not to be borne by a free people. It called the Dred Scott decision a disgrace, and denounced the democratic party generally. Or. Argus, April 10, 1858.
- ↑ The remainder of the ticket was E. A. Rice for secretary; J. L. Bromley, treasurer; James O'Meara, state printer.
