Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/68

 60 W. C. WOODWARD fended the use of the new name or rather, the resumption of the old one. The trend of political affairs at Washington during 1867, naturally tended still further to make for political solidarity in Oregon. Feeling became more intense as the political warfare at Washington became more and more pronounced. It be- spoke a heated campaign in the state in the approaching elec- tion of 1868. The real sentiment and animus of the people are often more truly portrayed in resolutions adopted in county conventions than in state, where the platform makers proceed with more conservatism and caution. For example, the Polk County Democrats declared in March, 1868, that they would oppose with force if necessary, "any attempt of the abolitionists to impose a President upon the people of the United States, elected by the negro vote of the ten states now under military despotism/' The reconstruction act was de- nounced as revolutionary and treasonable and its immediate repeal demanded. 88 On the other side some of the Republican county conventions spoke aggressively against Johnson, "the treacherous apostate/' 8 9 and endorsed the impeachment pro- ceedings. The Clatsop Republicans declared that the abomin- able secession heresy of states rights, as expounded by the leaders in the secession Democratic party, was too absurd to be entertained by any unprejudiced man of sense or patriotism.^ The Democratic State Convention met March 19 at Portland. The committee on resolutions Col. J. E. Ross, R. B. Cochran, Benj. Hay den, Beriah Brown and J. H. Slater, appointed in the morning, were to report at the afternoon session.9 1 The convention re-assembled at 3 o'clock but the committee was not ready to report. Brown, editor of the Herald, ''Johnson's organ," said there seemed to be an irreconcilable difference in the committee and suggested that it be instructed to bring in two reports. At 7 in the evening, Hayden presented a majority 88 Daily Herald, March 21, 1868. 89 Wapato Union Club resolution March 18. 90 Daily Oregonian, March 20. 91 Proceedings, Daily Oregonian, March 20, 21.