, 1878-08-08
Corr the t. Natiol al Republican,
PORTLAND. OREGON, June %, lS7

PORTLAND. OREGON, June %, 1878.
Dispatches and late Eastern journals re-
ceived here do much injustice to the Re-
pubIicans OF Oregon and to our worthy
and honored Senator, John Ii. Mitchell
The impression Is conveyed in these tele-
grams and papers that the defeat OF the
Republican Legislative ticket in this State
i attributable to the course of the friends of
Senator Mitchell, and likewise to his own
conduct in stubbornly persisting in his
candidacy for reelection. TO sustain this
erroneous presentation of the case, it is al
legged that the Senator is unpopular among
the mass Of the Republicans; that to be II
friend of his and a candidate Is to be de-
teated before the people in every precinct
where the party has not greatly over
whelming majority as here IN Multnomah
County. The reverse Of this Is true, cX-
cept in Il lew disatiected districts; and it is
also true that in some of the strongest
Democratic Counties--notOriOus SO in
Eastern Oregon--SenatOr Mitchell has
more warm friends among the Democrats,
solely OH account of his successful efforts
to benefit the State in the most important
matters dependent upon the action OF tile
National Government, than any Rcpubli-
can who has ever represented this State in
either branch Of Congress, and these Dem
Ocrats would now prefer Senator Mitchell,
Notwithstanding his uncompromising de-
VotiOn and loyalIy to the Republican party,
to several OF the Democratic leaders that
might be named, such as Colonel NesmitlI
and cX-COngressman Slater.
10 clearly understand the cause OF the
defeat of the Republicans IN the Legislative
elections in Oregon, 1t Is necessary to have
information Of certain laCts which have
had existence for many years past. The
condition of affairs in the great State OF
New York might be sighted to inteIligibly
typlfy the situation with Us here, asSimi-
lating the position Of Senator Mitchell to
that occupied in the Empire State by her
peerless Senator, Roscoe ConkliDg, and
the antagonistic element to that which
has It's parallel in the combination Of Fen
ton and Curtis-with much Of the same
pretension to all the decency and all the
integrity; whereas the one is a matter of
buckram and the other very thin plating.
As far back as 1866 Senator Mitchell and
Ex-Governor Gibbs, came In conflict as
Republican candidates for the SenatOrship.
the Republican members of the Legisla-
ture; whereupon Mr.. Mitchell, although
strenuously urged so to do by n number OF
Republicans, who. from the first refused
absolutely to vote for Gibbs under any cir
cumstanCes, declined to allow the further
Use of his name for the place. The Re-
publican sentiment Of the State was so
vehement against Gibbs that 1t was I'M
possible to elect him. 10 prevent the re-
election OF Senator Nesmith, who was pre-
ierrrd to Gibbs by several Republican
members, Henry w. Corbett, rich mer-
chant was finally chosen. Mr.. Mitchell
endeavored TO persuade the Republicans to
adhere to caucus rule, and support Gibbs.
His efforts were irutless. Yet Gibbs IN
his disappointment and rage, laid his de-
feat at Mitchell's door, and ever since that
time he and his followers have pursued
aud factiously opposed that gentleman.
And this Is one branch OF the present all
agonisin 10 ollr trusted Senator.
The other branch Is still more formid-
able. Its history can be thus sketched: In
the campaign Of 1872 there was move
ment started In Oregon to induce the Re
publicans To desert the standard which
General Grant had SO VIGOROUSLY borne
10 tive front, and to enlist under the trailed
banner OF the Democracy, with Greely at
the head. Senator Corbett's term would
expire in March Of the next year. Mr..
Mitchell was the acknowledged and un-
challenged standard-bearer Of the Repub-
lican organization of Oregon. He stood
unrivalled In the affection and confidence
Of nincteen-tweDtieths of the parry, and
the Legislature elected in June Of that
year were known to be In favor Of choosing
him to succeed Senator COrbett. The
Gibbs and Corbett factions, In order to de-
feat his election, organized anti-Grant
clubs and sent as delegate to the Greeley
Convention at Cincinnati, General Jasper
w. Johnson. q Democrat, who had can
vassed the State for Grover for Governor.
At that tlple the Republican organ, the
"Oregonian," was edited by Harvey w.
Scott, who had been appointed collector
OF the Portland custom.house through the
Influence ofSenator Corbett. He hesitated
In his course and now sided with the anti
Grant Club, now with tile genuine Re