328 LESTER BURRELL SHIPPEE The Democratic platform, however, would have carried almost any candidate in both the South and the West. Mr. Folk's views on the tariff were in accord with the free trade sentiment of the South, and yet, in a non-committal letter, he seemed to indicate that a degree of protection might not be out of place, hence those Northerners who were attracted by the lure of expansion could also find a ground for hoping their economic beliefs might find a sympathizer. With both Texas and free trade the Democratic party had a clear path in the South while the West did not care what the position of Oregon was in relation to Texas so long as it had been the subject of a definite pronunciamento in accord with its views. In the North Texas was not emphasized by the Democrats although that plank was rrnade much of by the Whigs in their opposition, but the Oregon Question touched a chord which was always ready to vibrate in harmony, that of repelling British aggression. It could, therefore, be counted to bring votes from many who forgot the possibility of economic dis- tress in their momentary enthusiasm. 29 The Oregon plank, then, was looked upon in the West as the most important single issue in the campaign; in the South it was the counterbalance of Texas and as such, irrespective of its own merits, important since it would bring votes for Texas ; in the North it was languidly viewed except when some orator twisted the lion's tail to make him roar. It was, as John Quincy Adams said, "a mock enthusiasm' for the ter- ritory of Oregon and a hurricane of passion for Texas, blown to fury by congressional and Texan bond and land holders." 30 The relative importance of Texas and Oregon is well indicated by the newspaper accounts of the progress of the campaign. 31 Column after column of argument pro and con Texas appeared, but only here and there was there a reference to Oregon. As Niles' Register said, in November after the election was over, "Other topics have so monopolized the attention of both gov- 29 See account of reception of Bancroft's speech when at a New York conven- tion he eulogized the work of Silas Wright in connection with the Oregon report; "Terrific cheering and shouts of 'Oregon is ours and must be ours' 'Ys, and Texas, too'." Niles' Register, 12 Oct., 1844. 30 Letter in Register in answer to one from Jackson; 23 Nov. 31 See, e. g. Richmond Enquirer, 28 May, 4 Je., 5 Aug., 5 Oct., etc.
