Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-10
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF ftaly to free government and frater.
nal devotion tothe rights of the States of the
Union, ana OF unwaverlng fidelity to 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 combna-
tons claiming TO represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manltestly war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subugation of the Union a war to
humble in the dust oar 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 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 common in
stnct of fsefpreservation, or worthy Of an exist
ence O 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, indiffer-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardce, if not premedtated dlsoyalty.
g. 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 time they are, ADORE all
things, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assaliants-no matter who they are,
whence they come. or soiM a0hat poe0er armed
3. 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-
tain the cor stltuted authorities at Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustifable and un-
natural war.
A. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali.
forna, demand of the General Government
by all its power to protect their lives and proper
ty on tie high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would inhct destruction on
both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partisa issues
to distract the peoI lie, o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, Is not true to tile country, worthy
the name of American citizen.
s. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government that the right
Of State secession is dangerous heresy, ireylta-
bly, destructise Of our form of Government.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will OF
maiorities is the only safeguard OF Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the coustitu-
ted authorities, under ali circumstances, and at al
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may DC in power
g. That Governments are political organiza
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 such coercive
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 accomplished, TO the ex-
istence of sectional political parties in the cOun-
try, one founded upon anti.savery, the other
pro-savery, both equally anti-Democratie and de-
structive of the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country that it Is the duty of tue Union Dem
ocratc ,,arty to take a strong conservative posi-
tion in this the hour of our country's trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
TO- That as Calfornans, 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 Democrl tic party of Califor
MIA is the oyerpowering majority other citizens.