Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 12.djvu/91

 POLITICAL PARTIES IN OREGON 83 epithet which came into frequent use by Bush in the States- man in applying the party lash. It originated in Maine and was used to describe those Democrats who were not "reliable." 1 It must not be supposed that this autocratic, coercive au- thority was submitted to with universal equanimity. There was murmuring and threatened revolt from time to time, but until 1857-8 the authority of Bush was sufficient to overawe opposition. 2 An indication of the restiveness of Democrats under the lash of the Salem Clique is found in the following resolution adopted by the Lane County Democratic convention in May, 1856 : "Resolved, That we will not make any party issues on men but will stand upon principles, and we con- sider they who oppose the Democratic party because they hap- pen not to like Bush, Delazon Smith, or other members there- of, as disorganizes and enemies of Democratic principles." 3 The Washington County convention pointed out as the ele- ments of disruption in the party, first "The too dictatorial mandates of a self-constituted leadership" ; second, the too little regard for the binding effect of party measures, principles and nominations on political action. 4 Both tendencies were most severely condemned. The Clatsop County Democrats were more charitable and cheerful, extending the olive branch to their prodigal brethren with words which were unctious with forgiving grace: "We earnestly invite every Demo- crat who has been lured from his party by corrupt and designing factionists, to come up out of Babylon shake off the vile fetters which have bound him, wash his hands of corruption, abjure his fanaticism, renew his allegiance to the party, and stand forth in the bright sunshine of God, a man and a Democrat." iStatesman, April 21, 1855. 2*'They (Oregon Democrats) fear him as the fawning hound fears his master and they dare not disobey his orders. They curse him among the populace, but support and sustain him out of sheer cowardice." Oregonian, December 29, 1885. 3Statesman, May 27, 1856. 4Statesman, June 10, 1856.