Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/64

 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE

56

was not improbable that Mexico would what she had lost; this would also put a stop on hopes of securing other northern Mexican possessions. The western Democrats, and Whigs too for the most part, supported the extreme attitude of the Message, with the exception of a small number of whom the most notable was Senator Benton. He, according to Folk's idea, had fallen into disfavor on account of his attitude on Texas and was endeavoring to regain his standing in the party by with England occur

it

seize the opportunity to regain

pursuing a course of moderation on the Oregon Question with the southern wing rather than by joining the ultras of the Northwest. In the North the Democrats for the most part

whatever real were actuated by they to Calhoun as Van Buren dominance leadopposition against besides or an more less avowed deterership, being impelled by mination to allow Great Britain to secure no more territory from the United States. Personal aggrandizement had, in the opinion of some consupported their western brethren interest they had in the matter



in addition to

itself

temporary observers, a large place among the motives of some who took a leading part in the discussions and schemes. While the new Administration was less than a year old it was not too soon to begin planning for the election of 1848. Calhoun, long aspiring to the presidency, still had hopes; Cass and Allen vied for the western vote; and Buchanan and Walker, although members of Folk's Cabinet, felt that they should be considered among the possibilities and used their influence accordingly. "The truth is," Polk believed, "that in

cussion in the Senate, too

all this

many Democratic

Oregon

dis-

Senators have

been more concerned about the Presidential election of '48, than they have been about settling Oregon whether at 49 or 54* 40'. 'Forty-eight' has been with them the Great Question,

and hence the divisions in the Democratic party. I cannot but observe the fact, and for the sake of the country I deeply deplore i

it."

Diary,

1

I.

345-