Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-12
Platform adopted by the Union Demo
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF iealty to free government and trater-
nal devotion to the rights of the States of the
Union, and of unwavering fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, the Union, and the c0untry-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and t
every sacrifice
And Whereas The country is now dtfendingi it
self against war without Justification or drcen,
excuse; w0ced upon it by reasonable combiua
tons claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is mancstly war for the invasion OF
our National Capital for the overthrow of ouI
National Government the oppression of the lOya
States ; the subjugation of The Union a war IL
humble in the dust our National flag; to wrench
from the American people their constitutional
rights of determining for themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic, and 10 blot them out
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, forces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stlnct of sefprescryatiOn, or worthy Of an exist
ence as a nation
Therefore, belt unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
/. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, indttr-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardice, if not premeditated dlsloyalty
2. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
and will bail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are ab0ce all
things, .for Me UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailauts-- no matter who they are,
whence they come, or wiH ac4at poleer aynsed.
9. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore faithfully discharge her Constitutional o5li-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment, and as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washingt1n IN
In la4I at,H -
either against this most unjustifable and un-
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people of Cali.
fornia, we demand Of the General Government
by all its power, to protect their lives and proper
ty on the hi4h seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would n1ct destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek by reviving past parsIn issues,
to distract the peoE le, o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage is not true to the country nor worthy
the name Of an American citizen.
s. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession Is u dangerous heresy, ineyta-
bly, destructive Of our orm of Government.
7. That obedience TO the constitutional will of
majOrues is the only safeguard Of Republican
Governments that we will uphold the cOustitu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances, and at all
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere regardless Of what party may be in power
8. That Governments are political organizl
tions, armed with coerclve power without which
they cannot exist that it Is not only no assump-
tion of authority upon the part Of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coercive
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion
O. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has Ueen accomplished, to the ex-
Irf4s Il
try, one founded upon anti-slayery, the other
proslayery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
structiye OF the peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratic ,,arty to take u strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour Of our coUntry's trial, and
raying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front 10 all sectional agitation.
10. That as Cahtornians, we appeal to the whole
people Of California, without distinction of party
reference to partisan issues. TO stand with US
by our country and our flag that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party OF Calitor
MA is the overpowering majority Of her citizens.