Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-21
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party oftealty to free government and lrater-
nal devotion to The rights of the States Of the
Union, and Of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country-ready
to maintain them BY all proper means and t
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it
self against a war without justification, or decent
excuse; waged upon it by treasonable combma
! tons claiming 10 represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manilestly a war for the invasion OF
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
| National Government the oppression of the LOYAL
States the subugaton Of the Union war to
| humble in the dust our National fagj 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 issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stinct of selfpreservation, or 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 a war of oppression and destruction, iudliier-
is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
| cowardce, if not premeditated disloyaty
| g That the people OF California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land,
and will bail with JOY an honorable adjustment in
! the future; at the same time they are, dbODe all
! MiHgS, for the UNION, the Country and the Flag
| against all assaants--nO matter who they are,
! whence they come, az loM Uitdt pOaCer drEaed.
g. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obi-
cations to the Union and the Federal Goyern-
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 unjustitabe aud un-
natural war.
A. That in the name Of the loyal people of Cali
! folnia wc demand Of the General Government,
by all its power to protect their lives and proper.
! tv on the high seas, between this coast and the
| Atlantic, from the piratica flag which already
| threatens injury, and would niiict destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partls! issues,
to distract the people, to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name of American citizen.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
! is due to the Federal Government; that the right
of State secession is dangerous heresy iueylta-
! blv destructive of our iorm of Government.
T. That obedience to the constitutional will OF
maiorhes 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 fwhat party may be IN power.
| g. That Governments are political organiza-
tons, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no assump-
ton of authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such cOerclve
power in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
| 9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the
istence of sectional political parties in the eouu-
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 UDion Dem
ocratic party to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our couutrys trial, and
raying around our National Flag, present an
unbrokeu front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Callturuians, we appeal to the whole
people of California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, To stand with US
bv our country aud onr tag, that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party of Calltor-
MIA is the erpowering majority other citizens.