LETTER OF DR. JOHN McLouoHLiN. 299

and I heartily approve of an organization of the party, and shall cordially support, with my vote, the Democratic tick'et for Clackamas County. I shall do this for the double reason of duty to a party whoso principles I cherish, and in the firm belief that the judges of the courts have rightfully nothing to do with the law locating the s'eat of govein- ment, and that the ballot box will be the earliest and safest umpire to dispose of that vexed question. In voting for the ticket of the Democratic county convention of Clackamas, I do not do so in all cases from a choice of the persons on it, but because it is a safe and salutary usage of that party to support the regularly appointed nominees. In conclusion, I will say that the acts of individuals, nominally Democratic, in the attempt to prostrate my character and take away the accumulations of my long life of industry, I in no way hold the Democratic party responsible for, inasmuch as that party has hereto- fore never been organized in the Territory, and I am not mistaken in the fact that its noble and elevated doctrines lead to no such prac- tices, but, on the contrary, tends to the promotion of equal and exact justice to all. Yours, very truly, JOHN McLOUGHLIN.