Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-17
Platform adopted by the Union Demo.
cratic State Convention of 1861

| WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party of ftaity to free government and frater-
| nal devotion TO 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 ell proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is row defending it.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse waged upon it by reasonable combIna-
ti0ns claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manfestly war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
National Government; the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugati0n Of the Union a war to
humble in the dust our National fag 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 bat
in one way by any people having the commcn in
stinct of selfpreservaton, or worthy of an exist
ence as g nation;
Therefore, se II unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That at this time when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, inditfer
ence is impossible tO the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardlce, if not premeditated dlsloyalty.
2. That the people Of 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 tine they are, ADORE all
things, tOr tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-n0 matter who they are,
whence they come ar NTH aChdt D0aCer armed.
9. That in this great crisis Of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto-
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and 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 uniusttabe aud un-
natural war
a. 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 piracal flag which already
threatens injury, and would inlet destruction on
both.
s.. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would SEEK by revving past partisI ssuss
to distract the peol lie, to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sOrdld partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name OF an American citizen.
8. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government that the right
Of State secession is dangerous heresy, ineylta-
bly, destructive Of our form of Government.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will of
majorihes is the only safe guard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the cnnstitu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances, and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless of what party may be IN power
=. That Governments are political organIza-
tions, armed with cOercve power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no assump-
ton If authority upon the part OF Governments,
but their positive duty 10 exercise such coerclve
power in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
0. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accom- mpshed, 10 the eK
istence of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon enti-savery, the other
roslavery, both equally anti-Democr'tc 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 strong conservative posi-.
ton in this the hour of our couutrys trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present az
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as CahfUrnisns, 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
that the great Union Democr tic party Of CalifOr-
MIA is the empowering majority of her citizens.