316 T. W. Davenport. were constantly employed about other matters than politics. Far more exciting to them, were placers, nuggets and rich strikes, than the hugger-mugger of political caucuses and conventions. Neither did their interests lie in the direction of slave labor or the slave code, and they said so with em- phasis, and with no care for its effects on their parties. Jackson County was reported to be in favor of slavery, and early in the summer of 1857, I presume that the claim of the pro-slavery men was well founded. But the free expression of opinion permitted there showed that Judge Williams' free- state letter was stirring the minds of the people and leading them into sane ways of thinking, and to the loss of the pro- slavery element. The anti-slavery agitators there were very few in number, though fair in ability and strong in character, and they argued the question from the ethical standpoint, which however is not very effective in immediate results among average human beings. When ethical truth takes hold of a human, it is lasting, for prejudice and all minor questions become obsolete. "Free niggers," the scarecrow of the pro- slavery men, ceases to be an alarm, but there are few persons who have the power to awaken men to the generous sympa- thies of equal fraternity, and Rogue River Valley had none competent to the task. Knowing this, and that so-called radi- cal talk included the defense of ' * free niggers, ' ' which all but the radicals opposed, the pro-slavery leaders proposed a public debate of the slavery question, E. D. Foudray and S. M. Wait being the proponents. Mr, Foudray was a Kentuckian of edu- cation and ability, one of the best known business men in the county, a man of large influence, of good presence, and possessing that peculiar dignity claimed for high-toned South- ern gentlemen. Mr. Wait was the owner of the flouring mill at Phoenix, a very earnest talker, and quite a proselyter for his opinions. Their statement of the question was very adroit. The Con- stitution presented the question to the voters: Slavery— Yes cr No ; Free negroes— Yes or No. Mr. Foudray said he would stand for slavery and against free negroes, while his op-
