Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-16
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention Of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party offealty TO free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights Of the States Of the
Union, and of unwavering fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, the Union. and the country-ready
10 maintain them by all proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is now defending it,
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse: waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tions claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming To have seeded from the Union
which is mantestly a war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government; the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugaton of the Union u war tu
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 u 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, frees
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the CONNECT in
stnct of selfpreseryatlon, or worthy Of an exist
ence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That 4a this time when tho country is resist
ing war III oppression aud destruc'ion ind ifer.
ence is impossible to the patriot, aud neutrality Ii
-cowardice, if not preTneditated disloyalty.
2. That the people uf California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
and will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, db0ee aIi
things, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailailts-n0 matter who they are,
whence they come. or t0M aohat p0aoer drn,e.i.
3. That in this great crisis Of the American ma.
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obi.
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment, and, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus
tain the constituted authorities at Washington IN
Ill IN Aaf1 and
either against this most unjustifabe aud un-
natural war.
A. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali.
firna, 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 piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would iufct destruction ON
both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek. by revving past partisan issuos,
to distract hepeo, lie, o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name ofan 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, inevita-
bly, destructive of our form of Government
7. That obedience to the constitutional will of
maiorihes is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments that we will uphold the constitu.
ted authorities, under all circumstances, and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power
s. That Governments are political organiza-
tons, 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.
8. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex-
nfs al in
try, one founded upon anti-savery, the other
pru-sIavery, both equally antl-Democratic and de-
structive of the peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratic ,arty to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our countrys trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to an sectional agitation.
10. That AS Cahfurnians, 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 Denocr tic party of Calitur
MIA is the overpowering majority of her citizens