Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-13
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party oi fealty to free government and fratcr
nal devotion to the rights Of the States Of the
Union, and Of unwaverng fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Uniou, and the counry-readv
to maintain them by all proper means and
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it
self against war without Justification or decent
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combua
uuns claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manestly 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 Il 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 10 blot them out
from the G. lass Of the great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, so aggressive in its
character, and so deadly in its purposes, frces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stinct Of selipreservation, worthy Of an exist
euce 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 indifcr-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardice, if not premedltatcd dlslovaltv.
2. That the people OF California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land,
and viii hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, a5oce uIl
HiHgs, far Tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or cM 1ri0t D0Jcer arme3.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore faithfully discharge her Constitutional ubli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment and, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washington IN
all measures necessary TO defend and protect
either against this most unjustitiable aud un-
natural war.
4. That in the name of the loyal people Of Cali
fprnla, we demand Of the General Government.
by all its power to protect their lives and proper
tv on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic from the plratcal flag which already
threatens injury, and would intlct destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the people, o. to wrest from their hon
est and 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 Estate secession is a dangerous heresy, ineylta-
bv destructive Of our 'Orm Of Government.
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
maioriues is the only safe guard of Republican
Governments that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities under all circumstances, and at all
hazards, IN maintaining Federal jurisdiction in It's
sphere, regardless what party may be in power.
5. That Governments are political organiza-
tious armed with coercive 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 coercIve
power in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, TO TIE eN
istence Of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti-sayery, .he o-hec
pro-slavery both equally anti Democratic and de-
structive OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that il Is the duty o! the Union Dem
ocratic ,arty to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our cOuntrys trial, and
ralyng around our National flag, present Gn
unbrokeu front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Calltornians, we appeal to the whole
people of California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with us
by our country aud our flag, that all may know
lhat the great Union Democratic party OF Calitor-
MA is the oyerpowerlng majority OF her citizens.