Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-01
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party of tealty to free government: and fatcr-
nal devotion % the rights Of the States Of the
Union, ana of unwnvering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the coantry-readv
to maintain them by all proper means and
every sucrliice;
And whereas, The country is now defending it
self against war without justification, or decent
excuse waged upon it by reasonable combnn
tions claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is maniiestly war for the invasion of
our National Capital for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression OF the loyal
States /; the subjugation of the Union "A war to
humble in the dust cur National Hag 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 clas5 ithe great powers of the ~orld;
And whereas sNcE Wa', 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
stnct OF sclEprcseryatlon, or worthy OF an exist
ence as Il nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That at this time, when the country is resist.
ing war of oppression and destruction, indiiier-
enCe is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cOwardicc, if not premedtacd dlslUyaltY.
2. That the people oi 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, d60re a5J
MiHgs, f0r the UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assaants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, ar iCiM Wh0t D0lyer GpHse1.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name onr State will always, Is hereto
fore faithfully discharge her Constitetonal obli-
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 end protect
either against this most unjustlfaDle aud I'M
natural war.
A. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali
fnrnia 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 plratical llag w:icr already
threatens injury, and would inGIct destruction on
both
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the people, o. to wrcst irom their non
est aud patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name Of an American citizen.
6. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Governments that the right
of State secession is a dangerous hCTeSy, ineyita
blv destructive of our form of Government.
T. That obedience to the constitutional viii OF
maiorihcs is the only Safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the consttu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances, and at all
hazards, IN maintaining federdI jurisdiction III is
sphere regardless of what party may be IN power
s. That Governments are political oTganiS4-
tions, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that 1t is not only no assump-
ton of authority upon the part OF Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise snch coerclve
poweF, in order TO maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
O. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, TO the eX-
stence of sectional political PARTIES IN tle eoun-
try, one founded upon anti slavery, the other
pro. slavery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
structive OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratc larty to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour OF our couutrys trial, and
ullyinr around our National Flag, present an
uubrokcu front to all sectional agitation.
10. That rs CahturnltnS we appeal To the whole
people Of California. without distinction "t party
or reference to partisan lssues, To stand with us
by uur country aud our dag. that al may know
that the great Union Democratic party ~ CaHi.i-
mails tho cvergcVclias m-icr', ai her e.'.f-rr.