Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-11
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic Stote Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever beer
chc party ofiealty to free government aud frater
nal devotion To the rights 0f the States Of the
Union, and OF unwaverlng fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country--ready
80 maintain them by all proper means aud at
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it.
self against war without Justification or decent
excuse waged upon it by treasonabe combma-
ions claiming 90 represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which Is manltestly war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression Of the loyal
States the subiugation of the Union "a war to
humble in the dust our National flag; to wrench
from the American people their constitutional
| rights Of determining Tor 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, and so deadly in its purposes, fprces
upon the country ssue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stnct OF seE;preserva.lons or worthy of an exist
ence as a nation
Therefore, be it unanimously resolves by this
Convention,
l. That at this time when the country is resist
ing war of oppression and destruction, indiffer-
enCe is impossible To the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardce, if not premeditated dlsloyatty.
g. That the people of California in the past have
pVCh IHoot duAluuS i'i peace lul'l4lOuI lilt duu,
aud will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, a60ye all
things, for the UNION, the Country and the lag,
against all assaants--no matter who they are,
whence they come, ar aotM lohat Po'oer aynaed
g. That in this great crisis Of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union aud the Federal Govern
ment, and, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington IN
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustdable aud un-
catpral war.
D. That in the name Of the loyal people Of Cali
forna, we demand Of the General Government,
by all its power, to protect their lives and proper
ty on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratlca flag which already
threatens injury, and would uflct destruction on
both.
s. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partisan issues
TO distract the peo e 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.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government that the right
Of State secession is a dangerous heresy inevlta-
blv destructive of our form Of Government
T. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
maiorihes is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu
ted authorities undera 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 organiza-
tions, armed with coercve power without which
they cannot exist that It IS not only no assump-
ton of authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coercve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion ar domestic lebellion.
0. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished 10 the ex-
stence of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti.sayery, the other
pro slavery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
structve OF the peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
ocratic ,arty TO take a strong conservative posi-
.on in this the hour of our country's trial, and
ralying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Caliornians, we appeal 10 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 NAV know
that the great Union DeInocr tic party Of Califor
MIA is the overpowerlng majority OF her citizens.