Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-09
Platform adopted by the Union Demo
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party olfcaly to free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights Oi the States Of the
Union, and Of unwaverlng fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, the Union, and the country ready
to maintain them by all proper means aud
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is now defending it
self against war without justification, or deceu,
excuse: waged upon it by treasonahlo combua
tiuus claiming to represent the people Of certain
states claiming To- have seeded from the Union
which is mUuiestly war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for The overthrow Of our
National Government the oppression Of the loyal
| States the Subjugaton Of the Union n war %
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 10 bot them out
from the class Of the great powers II the world;
And whereas such war, SO aggressive IN its
character, and so deadly in its purposes, frees
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stinct OF selfPreserYatlon, or worthy Of an exist
euce 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, ind fer
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardce, if not premedtated dIsioyalty.
2. That the people Of California in the past have
and viii hail with joy an honorable adjustment n
the future; at the same time they are aJole al
MiHGs T0P tie UNIOS, the Country and the + lag
against all assaantS-no matter who they are
whence they come. orUjH ,claf Po1csr d,Hlsd.
9. That IA this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name cur State will always, a. hereto.
fore faithfully discharge her constitutional obi.
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 10 defend and protect
either against this most unjusulabie AID uu-
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people Of CALI
furnia. we demand Of ihe 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 piratical Gag which already
threatens injury, and would iullct destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis be
who would seek, by reviying past partisan issues,
to distract the Deop le o. to Nrest from their hon.
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true 10 the country, nor worthy
the name IAN American citizen.
6. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
l. due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is dangerous hefesy, inevita-
bv destructive OF our 'Orm OF Government.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
maioriues is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities, under al circumstances, and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction IN its
sphere. regardless of what party may be in power.
5. That Governments are political organiza-
tious, armed with coercve power without which
they cannot exist that it Is not only 20 assump-
ton Of authority upon the part OF Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coerclre
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic ebellinn.
9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, To The tx
stence of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon sntslavery, 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
ucraic arty TO take a strong conservative posi-
ton IN tbs TIE hour of our conntry's trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front TO all sectional agitation.
TO- That as Cahturnians, 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 ot C4l.tor-
ris is the ovsrroverine majority Of her cit1sns