Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-10
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party Of ealty to free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights of the States Of the
Union, and of unwavering fidelity 10 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, decent
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tions claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manifestly 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 determining for themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic, and to blot them out
from the class fthe 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
stinct of selipreservation, worthy Of an exist
ence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
/. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, indifler-
ence is impossible TO the patriot and neutrality is
cowardce, if not premedltated disloyaty.
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, aboUe all
things, for the UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or Oih mhat Poecer armed.
8. 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 constituted authorities at Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustiiabe aud un-
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people of Cali
fornia. 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 piratcal flag which already
threatens injury, and would inl.ct destruction on
both
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reyiving past partisan issues
to distract the people, or to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sOrdld partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name of ain American citizen.
6. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due TO the Federal Government; that the right
ofState secession is dangerous heresy, inevlta-
bly, destructive of our form of Government.
z. That obedience to the constitutional will of
mGjortlcs is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities under all circumstances, and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless ofwhat party may be in power.
s. That Governments are political organza-
tions, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no ass,lmp-
tion OF authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coercve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellionh has been accomplished, to the cx-
istence of sectional political parties in the couu-
try, one founded upon anti-slavery, the other
proslavery, both equally ant-Democratic and de-
structive of the peace, harmony and prosperity OF
the country that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
ocratic party to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our country's trial, and
ralying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as CalIfornians, 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 Califor
MIA is the overpowerng majority OF her citizens.