Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-05
Platform adopted by the Union Demo.
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF fealty to free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights Of the States Of the
Union, and OF unwaverlng fidelity Ia the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the cOuntry-ready
to 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 comblua-
lions claiming to represent the people of certain
states claiming tn have seeded from the Union
which Is ulanitsstly war for the invasion of
our Netionai Capital: ior the overthrow Of our
Nhtlunal Government the oppression of the 10y al
states the subjugation of the Union a war TO
humble in the dust our National aagi to wrench
from the American PEE pie their constitutional
rights OF determining for themselves their own
policy, toregu aud domestic, and 10 blot u em out
from the class ot the great powers Of the world
And whereas such war, so aggressive in its
character, and so deadly IN it's purposes frees
| upon the country an issue which can be met but
IN one way by any people having the common in
sunct OF self. preservation, worthy of AL exist
! eucc as a nation;
! Therefore, b. it unanimously resoiyed 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
cowardice, If not premeditated dslOyalty.
9. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace thruugho the land,
and Will hail with JOY AN honorable adjustment in
the future; AZ the same time they are, a50re all
Things, for the Union, the Country and the lag,
agains, All a,saIants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or 'Cih 0lat po1cer dymef.
3. That IN tn great crisis of the American na-
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-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington N
all measures necessary to defend aud protect
either against this most uniustidabe aud un-
natural war.
4. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali
furnia, we demand ~ the General Government
by all lis power, to protect their lives and proper
tv on the high seas between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pratica flag which already
threatens injury, Gud would ufiGt destruction or
both
5. That in The present overwhelming crisis be
who would seek. by reyivinE past partisan issues,
to distract the peo le o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordd partisan
advantage, is not true to The country nor worthy
the name OF tan American citizen.
=. That w hold thatour paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government, that the right
If State secession is dangerous hvresv, ineyita-
bly, destructive Of our ,orm of Government.
{. That obedience to the constitutional will of
maj critics is the only safe guard of Repub can
Governments; that we viii uphold the coustitu-
ted authorities under all crcun stances aud at all
HaHhlus, III lAhHtanlng teGerai jurisdiction IN its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power
&. That Governments are political organiza-
tionS, armed with coeroive pGwsr, without which
! they cannot exist; that it IS not only ussump-
! ton If authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty TO exercise such coerclve
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, 10 the ex-
iseuce Of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon enti.slavery, the other
pro slavery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
structFe OF the peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country; that i 10 the duty Of the Union Dem
cratic .'arty to take strong conservative posi-
ton III this the hour 0t our countrys trial. and
rallyng around oar National Flag present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Caltornians, we appeal to the whole
people OF California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, 10 stand with us
by our country aud our Gag, that all may know
'hst the g7eGt Union Delaoor tic party of Califor-
MIA is the oyerpowering majority ot her citizens