Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/283

 FEDERAL RELATIONS OF OREGON

267

two old wings were overshadowing the new center, and this could be seen by examining every vote taken since 1820 "the old North and the old South dreaded the power of the new center, and so were willing to let Oregon become independent." Allen's efforts, however, could produce no action and after a little desultory discussion of the House suffrage amendment which Huntingdon (Connecticut) and Webster looked upon as a dangerous innovation, the bill was tabled and so

killed.

The

vote on tabling

who wished

was twenty-six

to eighteen.

Fifteen

postpone action were from slave States, while six of the eighteen in favor of immediate action also came from south of Mason and Dixon's line. As such of those

to

the vote does not reveal very much, but if the personnel of who voted to table the bill is considered

the northern Senators

Gilley (N. H.) and Woodwere the two northern Democrats who voted bridge (Mich.) to table; the Whigs were Clayton (Del.), Davis and Webster (Mass.), Evans (Me.), Greene and Simmons (R. I.), Huntington (Conn.), Miller (N. Y.), and Upham (Vt.). When

a

little

more

light is afforded.

one considers the course of the Whigs during the crisis of 1848-50, their attempt to prevent a break by framing compromises, one can find in this list of names something which affords an explanation of their vote on the Oregon bill in 1847.

All but one of those

who

voted against tabling were Democrats; group also included all the western Senators except Woodbridge of Michigian and the two from Kentucky. this

The Senate

action

must

the resolutions introduced

also be interpreted in the light of by Calhoun on the nineteenth of

11 While these were applicable prospectively and February. looked rather to the territory held and about to be acquired

Southwest rather than in Oregon, it was necessary to the principle apply to all if it would have any force; and so, in the light of this declaration of principles, it is not in the

make

difficult to see that the supporters of the "peculiar institution" ii Ibid.,

445.