Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/328

310 parties, on national as well as local issues, began with, the contest between Lane and Skinner for the place as delegate, by the advice of Lane, and with all the ardor of the Salem clique of partisan democrats, whose mouth-piece was the Oregon Statesman. The canvass was a warm one, with all the chances in favor of Lane, who could easily gain the favor of even the whigs of southern Oregon by fighting Indians, whereas Skinner was not a fighting man. The whole vote cast at the election of 1853 was 7,486, and Lane's majority was 1,575, large enough to be satisfactory, yet showing that there was a power to be feared in the people's party, as the opponents of democratic rule now styled their organization.

As soon as the result became known, Lane repaired to his land claim near Roseburg, and began building a residence for his family. But before he had made much progress, he was called to take part in subduing an outbreak among the natives of Rogue River Valley and vicinity, which will be the subject of the next chapter. Having distinguished himself afresh as general of the Oregon volunteers, he returned to Washington in October to resume his congressional labors.