Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-23
; 7''7'7sl' ~
Tna following are the appo ntents Of si..s-s Z. C
Platform adopted by ine Union Demo
cratic STATE Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS. The Democratic party has ever been
the party of I, atty t. free government aud f.ater
nal devotion to the rights Of the Suites Of the
Union, and ut unNaterWg fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, the Uuiou, and the cVuntry--ready
70 maintain th.a ~ all proper means aud 1T
every sacrifice;
And whereas, The country now defending it.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tons claiming to represent the people Of certi.u
States claiming 20 have seeded trun the Uaiun
which is maniiest,y It war for the u7asiun rf
our National Capital: for he overthrow of our
NauOuGl Government the oppression Of Tie ilval
States the subjugation Of jhe Union Il war to
humble Ia the dust our National Gag 10 wrench
ir4u tie American pc-pc ueIr constitutional
rights Of determining Gor themselves Their own
policy, toroignand domestic, and u blot .hem oct
from tn. class Of the great power, af the World
And whereas such war, so aFgre3,iu, in its
character, aud so deadly in its purposes, forces
upon The country an issue which can be met but
ia one KAY By any people having the common in
s1nct q ciiPre,er}a-ou, or worthy of an exist
euce q nation
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Contention,
/. That at this time. when the country is resist.
ing war Of oppression and destruction, indlffer-
euce IS impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
oowardlce, if not premeditated dsloyaltv.
2. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
aud viii hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future at the same time they ere, a10ge all
MjRgs, TAR tie Union, the Country and the Flag,
against all assaants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or gith aghat pol0ey drn3eR
3. That M tlls great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her constitutional obli-
ga.lons to the Union apd E,a Federal Govern
meHt, aaI, rs in du,y bound, vii, earnestly sas-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington N
all measures necessary to defend aud protect
either against this most uujQsuhabIe aud un-
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people Of Cali
frnla we demand of the General Government.
by all IFS power, TO protect their lives and proper
ty on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pira,ical flag which already
threatens injury, and would inhict destruction on
both
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by revvng past partisan issues,
to distract the peoi le, o. 10 wrcs from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan |
advantage, is not true to th. country, nor worthy |
the uaCne otan American citizen.
.. That we mold that our paramount allegiance |
is due to tie Federal Government; ihat the right |
OF state secession is dangerous heresy. ineylta-
bly, destructive o! our torn Of Government.
Z That obedience to the constitutional will Of |
majornes is the only safeguard If Republican |
GoyernmentS; that we viii uphold the constitu. |
ted authorizes, under all circumstances and at all |
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its |
sphere regardless Of what party may be in power. |
3. That Governments are political organiza- |
tons, armed with cocTciye power, without which |
they cannot exist; that it is not only no assump- |
toa oi Authority upon the part Of Governments, |
but tner positive duty to exercise such coercve |
power, IN order to maintain themselves against |
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
.. That we trace the causes through which the |
present rebeiIpnhaS been accomplished, t1 the eX /
istence Of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti-Saverv, the other
pro-slavery, both equally autl.Democr,tic and de-
strucive Of The peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country that it Is the duty Of the Union DEM
ocrahc ,ariy 10 take strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hour of our couutrys trial, and /
rllying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation
10. That as CaIitoruiaus, we appeal to the whole |
people Of California, without distinction of party |
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with us
by our country and our flag that all may know /
that the great Union DeInocr tic party Of Caltur-
MIA Is the overpowerng majority OH her citizens.