Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-19
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic state Con Vention of 1864.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party Of ieaity to free government and lrater-
nal devotion to thc rights Of the States Of the
Union, and Of unWaverlng fidelity To the laws tre
Constitution, the Union, and the country-readv
to maintain them by all proper means and
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it
self against a war without justification or decent
excuse, Wegcd upon il by reasonable comblns.
tons claiming TO represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seceded from the Union
which ~ luaniiestly q war for the invasion Of
our National Capital for the overthrow Of our
National Government; the oppression Of the loyal
States ; the subugation Of lie Union a war to
humble in the dust oar National dag; to wrench
tom the American people their constitutional
rights Of determining FIR themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic. and 10 blot them ont
from the class Of the great powers of the world;
And whereas such war so aggressive in its
character aud SO deadly in its purposes e rces
upon tn" country an issue which can he net but
in one way by any people having the common in
stinct OF selipresclyatIon, or worthy Of exist
ence as nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved BY this
Convention,
/. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression aud destruction, iudfier-
ence is impossible to the patriot and ne,iraIity is
coWardlcc, if not premedItated dsloyaty.
2. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the ltud,
and viii hail with joy AN honorable adjustment IN
the future; at the Aame time they are, aJ05e alb
things, Ior tie UNION, the Country aud the Flag
against all assallauts- no matter who they are,
whence they come, NJ Uth ,CtJt p02cer dFme}.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State viii always as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations 10 the Union and the Federal Govern
ment aud, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tam the cor s. itutcd authorities at WASHINGTON N
"a Ia defer or
either against this most unjust.fabe aud uu-
natural war.
4. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali
foruia we demand of the General Government
by all its power 10 protect their lives and proper
ty on the high seas, between this coast aud the
Atlantic, from the Piraticll flag which already
threatens injury, and would lnflct destruction on
both
g. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek by reviving past partisan ssuss,
TO distract thc neol le o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordld partisan
advantage. is not true to the country, nor wol.uy
the name ofau American citizen.
8. That We hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the llLht
OF State secession Is a dangerous horesv, nevitl-
bly, destructive Of our ior'n of Government
Z. That obedience TO the constitutional will of
maorlues Is the only safeguard OF Republican
that we will uphold the cunstItu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances and at all
hazards, IN maintaining Federal jurisdiction 10 its
sphere regardless Of what party may he in power
8. That Governments are political orgauizl-
tons, armed with coerclve power. without which
they cannot exist that il Is not only no assumt,-
ton OF authority upon the part OF Governments
but their positive duty to exercise such coerclve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion
g. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished. To the ex-
istence Of sectional political parties in the coup-
try one founded upon anti-saverv the other
pro slavery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
sructve OF the peace, harmony and pros peritv OF
the country; that tits the duty OF the Uuiun Dem
ocratic party to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour Of our courtrv's trial aud
rallyng around our National Flag present an
Iubroken front TO all sectional agtaton
10. That rs Caurnans, we appeal to the whole
people OF California, without distinction nj PARTY
ir reference to partisan issues, To stand with us
by our country and our flag, that all NAV know
hat the great Union Democratic party of Cahfor-
aia is the orerrowerng majority other citizens.