Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-02
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1851

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party ottrulty to free government and frazier
nal devotion to the rights Of the States Of the
Union, and Ot uuNayeriug fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, The Uuiou, and the country-rcady
to maintain them by all proper means aud at
every sHcrltiCe
And Whereas The country is now defending It.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse: waced upon it by lreasuuable combina-
tiuus claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming To have seeded from the Union
which is miniiestiy war Tor the INVASION Of
our National Capital: G1r the overthrow Of our
National Government the oppression Of the loyal
States the subjugatiOn Of the Union war tu
humble IN the dust oar National fdg; to wrench
| from the American people their constitutional
rights Of determining for themselves thelr own
policy foreign aud domestic and 70 blot them ont
from the class Of the great powers Of the world
And whereas such war, 50 aggressive IN its
character and 50 deadly in its purposes, frces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way BY any people having the comm in
stinct Of chpreseryation, or worthy Of an exist
ence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
/. That at this time. when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, ndlIer-
ence is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardice if not premeditated dIsloyaIty.
2. That the people Of litorna in the past have
been most anxious for peace through hout the land,
and will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, d60Ge all
MjHgs fer Me UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailmts-- matter who they are,
whencc they come, or acM 'cbot po1ger drmel
s. That IN tn great crisis Of the American ma
ton and name oar State viii always, es hereto
tuIe, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obl-
CATIONS to the Union and the Federal Govern.
ment, and, AS in duty bound, viii earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington N
l.4..
either against this most unjusutabe aud un-
natural war,
4. That in the name Of the loyal people Of Cali.
fornla, we demand Of the General Government,
by all its power to protect their lives and proper
ty on the hi2h seas, between this coast aud the
Atlantic, from the pIratlca flag which already
threatens injury, and would in1lct destruction On
both.
5. That in The present overwhelming crisis, be
who would seek. by revivng past partst issues,
to distract the peo 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.
6. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is dangerous heresy, ineYlta-
bly, destructive Of our Orm Of Government.
T. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
majOriueS is the only safeguard Of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constltu-
Tea duHDIIltN, Nlllcl an tlitiI~lillCtS anu AZ ili
hazards in maintaining Federal Jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless of what party may be IN power.
s. That Governments are political OrganIzl-
tions armed with coerclve power, without which
they cannot exist; that it Is not only no assump-
ton If authority upon tie part Of Governments,
but Their positive duty to exercise such coercve
power in order to maintain themselves against
either toleign invasion or domestic ebellion.
8. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the eX
isttnce Of sectional political parties in the caun
try, one founded upon auti.>ltvery, the other
proslavery, both equally ant Democratic and de-
structve OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country, that tbs the duty of the Union Dem
ocratlc arty to take strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hour of our couutry's trial. and
rdllying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front 10 all sectional agitation.
10. That rs Callfornans we appeal to the whole
people Of California, without distinction "f party
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with US
by our country and our Gag, that all may know
that the great Union Dem0cr tic party OF Calltor-
MIA is the oyerpowering majority OF her citizens.