Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 12.djvu/90

 82 W. C. WOODWARD oaths to that dark and hellish secret political order." 1 But General Palmer and Lane were good friends and the latter delayed the political execution. In another instance, instead of securing a certain appointment for a prominent Oregon Democrat, as requested by the Clique, Lane had an Indiana friend appointed. Such audacity was amazing and the political oligarchs gnashed their teeth in rage, among themselves. One member advised "a call of the Cli-que to throw him (Lane) overboard." 2 A temporary rapprochement was effected but it was evident that serious trouble was ahead for Lane at the hands of the restive Junto. The rule of Bush and the Clique was absolute and imperious. They laid the plans and issued the orders. It was for the rank and file to obey. And obedience must be unquestioning. If a Democrat forgot this, he must be disciplined. If he per- sisted in his temerity the wrath of the Statesman was turned upon him and he was destroyed politically. Bush, absolutely uncompromising, took offense easily and the fear of his ter- rible invective was potent in maintaining party discipline. Jas. F. Gazley, Democratic member of the legislature of '54-'55 from Douglas county, had the hardihood to oppose the Viva Voce law. Misrepresentation and vilification at the hands of Bush followed. "Little did I suspect", complained Gazley, "that while boldly vindicating principles which I ever have honestly maintained, that clouds of indignation were gather- ing so gloomily around the political horizon, too soon, alas, to burst upon my unlucky head." 3 It became the general rule of Democratic nominating con- ventions to pledge the delegates to support the candidates and to avow loyalty to them, before those candidates were nomi- nated. 4 Good Democrats never questioned such procedure. The manner in which a man obeyed orders from headquarters was the criterion of his Democracy. "Pizurrinctums" was an iQuoted by Bancroft, Vol. II., p. 399. aNesmith to Deady, September 14. 3ln Oregonian, January 13, 1855. 4john Minto in Oregon Historical Quarterly for June, 1908, p. 144.