Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-06
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic state Convention OF 1867

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party Of ftaly to free government aud frator-
nal devotion tot the rights Of the States of the
Union, and Of unWaverng fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, the Union and the country-ready
to maintain them by yall proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is now defending it.
self against war without Justification. or decent
excuse; ~agcd upon it by reasonable combna-
tious claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming TO have seeded from the Union
which is mauicstly a war for thc invasion Of
uur National Capital for tle overthrow Of our
Natoual Government ,he oppression of the loyal
States the subiuga,iou of the Union a war To
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 TO 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, forces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stinct Of fscfpreseryaton, or worthy of an exist
cncc as nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
J. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, indiifcr-
cnCe is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
coWardcc, if not premeditated dsloyalty.
Q That the people Of CaiiiorniG 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, dJ0Ee all
MiHgs, fo, tie UNoS, the Country and the Flag,
against all assaants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or 2riH lc5dt p0lcer arHlek
o. That in this great crisis Of the American ma
ton and name oar 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
10. 4 .. ..t
either against this most unjuatiiia6le aud un-
natural war
4. That in the name Of the loyal people Of Cali
furna 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 pratica flag which already
threatens injury, aud would luDlct destruction on
both.
b. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reyiyiug past partisan issues,
to distract the people, o. to Wrest from their hon
est aud patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name otan American citizen.
Is. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due TO the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is d dangerous heresy, inevlta-
bv destructive of our form Of Government.
Z That obedience to the constitutional will OF
naiOriucs is the only safeguard OF kepubicah
Governments; that we will uphold the cOnstltu-
hazards IN maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere regardless Of 81 hat party may be IN pQwer
s. That Governments are political organim-
tions, armed with coercvc 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 coerelye
power, in order TO maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic iebelllou.
O. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, To the eN-
istence of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti-slavery, the other
pro-slavery, both equally anti-Democratic and de-
structiye of the peace, harmony aud prosperity Of
the country; that il Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratic party to take strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hour OF our country's trial. and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbrokcn front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Caliiurnians, we appeal to the whole
people OF California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, 10 stand with us
by our country and our Gag that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party of Caliur-
MIA is the oyerpowering majority her citizens.