352 T. W. Davenport.
ber session in 1860, the Legislature was composed of three parties, the two wings of the Democratic party and the Republicans, neither of which could elect a Senator, but a fusion of any two could. A union of the Republicans with the administration Democrats was not to be thought of, and a union of the two wings was scarcely less unnatural, if real Democratic principles should weigh with the anti-slavery Douglas men. In his address before the Legislature of 1899 (see Oregon Hist. Quarterly of 1907, March number, page 22) Judge Williams said: "The agitation of the slavery question had now reached a crisis. The good-Lord, good-devil style of politics had become disgusting. I made up my mind that, as far as my opportunities allowed, I would resist the further aggression of the slave power, and oppose the election to office of those who favored it. Accordingly, in the month of March, 1860, I went into Linn County to the residence of Delazon Smith and said to him: 'Delazon, I have come here to beard the lion in his den (Smith's friends called him the Lion of Linn). I am going to canvass Linn County, and my object is to beat you and General Lane for the Senate. Come on and make your fight.'" They traveled and stumped together, and whether as the result of this canvass or of the scurrilous stories told about Delazon as to his habits during the brief period he was in Washington as Senator from Oregon, has never been determined, but in the session of 1860 he was not a formidable candidate. Judge Williams was a candidate, however, throughout the session, but finally failed and attributed his defeat to the Salem Clique, with whom the Judge was never a favorite. It was a memorable contest, which made and unmade the political fortunes of several persons, and was from
reported in the Union and a copy of which I will furnish you, 'That I was in favor of the doctrine of non-intervention by Congress, or anybody else, with the people of the territories as to their domestic institutions; that I thought it wise and moderate and just to permit them to govern themselves as to slavery as well as other domestic affairs, as they thought fit.' As I thought then, so I think now; and whether in the Senate or out of it, I shall carry out these opinions.
"Very respectfully your friend,
"E. D. Baker."
