induced the voluntary withdrawal of his name by Judge Williams. It is much to be regretted that the nomination of Senator Nesmith as minister to Austria should have been defeated, and that a sort of political reprisal should have overtaken the nomination of Judge Williams as chief justice. The services of both men were needed by the country, and both names would have honored the great offices designated. The bitterness of those days changed the career of two of Oregon's greatest men, and it is not too much to say that the country shares the regret which Oregon has deeply felt for many years. Senator Nesmith was chosen in 1873 a member of the forty-third congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joseph G. Wilson, who was elected in June, 1872, but died in July, 1873, before he took his seat. Colonel Nesmith served out his term, and then retired to private life. He was a candidate for United States senator in 1876, but Governor L. F. Grover was chosen over Nesmith and Slater by less than a majority of all the democratic members of the legislature. Nesmith had an actual majority, but enough refused to go into the party caucus to leave those who did participate, in a small minority, and when once the vote in caucus was taken, these friends of Nesmith thus outvoted felt bound to submit, and support the caucus nominee. The refusal of these Nesmith men to participate in the party caucus defeated him for United States senator. Senator Nesmith was a man of the people, mingled freely with all classes, a loyal friend and patriotic man, and one of the most forcible speakers the state has produced. He enjoys the enviable distinction of being the only democrat in the senate who voted for the resolution proposing the Thirteenth Amendment, which constitutionally established the abolition of slavery, and which resolution passed congress February 1, 1865. This act alone is a passport to fame. He now lies buried
