The weekly Butte record., 1861-07-20
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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
fraternal devotion to the rights of the States
OF the Union and Of unwaveTing fidelity to the
laws, the Constitution, the Union, ard the
coantry-ready to maintain them By all proper
means and at every sacrifice;
And whereas, The country is now defending
itself against a war without justification, or
decent excuse waged upon it By reasonable
combinations claiming to represent the people
of certain States claiming TO have seeded from
the Union-which is maniiestly a 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; war to humble in the dust our
National flag to wrench from the American
people their constitutional rights of determin-
Ing 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 com
mon instinct Of self preservation or worthy Of
an existence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by
this Convention.
l. That at this time when the country is
resisting war of oppression and destruction.
indifference is impossible to the patriot, and
neutrality is cowardice, if not premedltated
disloyalty.
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, above all things, for the UNION, the
Country and the Flag, against all assailants-
no matter who they are, whence they come, or
1cith 1rhat potcer armed.
3. That in this great crisis of the American
nation and name our State will always, as
heretofore faithfully discharge her Constitu
tiona obligations to the Union and the Federal
Government, and, as in duty bound, will ear
nestly sustain the constituted authorities at
Washington in all measures necessary to defend
and protect either against this most unjustifa-
bic and unnatural war.
A. That in the name Of the loyal people of
California we demand Of the General Govern
ment, by all its power, to protect their lives
and property on the high seas, between this
coast and the Atlantic, from the pratcal flag
which already threatens injury, and would in
fict destruction on both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis,
he who would seek, by reviving past partisan
issues, to distract the people, or to wrest from
their honest and 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 allegi-
ance is due to the Federal Government that
the right Of State secession is dangerous
heresy, inevitably destructive of our form of
Government.
I. That obedience to the constitutional will
of maiorities is the only safe guard of RepubIi-
can Governments; that we will uphold the
constituted authorities, under all circumstances,
and at all hazards in maintaining Federal
jurisdiction in its sphere, regardless of what
party may be IN power.
s. That Governments are political organi-
cations, armed with coercive power, without
which they cannot exist that it is not only no
assumption of authority upon the part of
Governments, but their positive duty to exer-
else such coercive power, in order to maintain
themselves against either foreign invasion or
domestic rebellion.
8. That we trace the causes through which
The present rebellion has been accomplished, TO
the existence of sectional political parties in
the country, one founded upon anti-slavery, the
other proslavery, both equally anti-Democratic
and destructive of the peace, harmony and
prosperity of the country that it is the duty
of the Union Democratic party to take
strong conservative position in this the hour
of our country's trial, and rallying around our
National Flag, present an unbroken front to
all sectional agitation.
10. That as Calfornians we appeal to the
whole people Of California, without distinction
of party or reference to partisan issues, to stand
with US by our country and our flag, that all
may know that the great Union Democratic
party of California is the oyerpoweriDg major
ity OF her citizens.