Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-11
Platform adopted by the Union Demos
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party ofteaty to free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights of the States of the
Union, and Of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Uuion, aud the country-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and It
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it
self against a war without Justification, or decen.
excuse; waged upon it BY reasonable combna-
uOnS claiming 10 represent the people of certain
states claiming to have seeded from the Bnion
which Is maniteStlv for the invasion OF
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
NHuonal Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugation of the Union var 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 of the great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, so aggressive IN its
character, and so deadly in its purposes, frces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common inr
stinct Of fpreservatiOn, or worthy Of an exist
enCe as n nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved BY this
Convention,
!. That at this time when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction. indffer-
enCe is impOss bic 10 the patriot, and neutrality ia
cowardce if not premedtated 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, 0Jove all
Things, fer tie UNION, the Country and the Flag
against all assailants-nO matter who they are,
whence they come, or 1ciH 9f6dt p02pfr armed.
g. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton aud name our State will always, as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern.
ment, and, in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustdable and
natural war,
4. That in the name of the loyal people of Cali
furuia we 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 pratica flag which already
threatens injur,, and would ufct destruction on
both
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek. by reviving past partisa issues,
to distract the pcol lie, to wres; from their hon.
est aud patriotic devotion some sordd partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name OF an American citizen.
IS, That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is II dangerous heresy, inevita-
bly, destructive of our form of Government,
:. That obedience to the constitutional will of
| mai oriues 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 Of what party may be in power.
! 8. That Governments political organiza-
tions, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that ii is not Onl no assump-
ton Of authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coerelve
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 ex-
istcnce OF sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti-savery, the other
roslavery, 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.
ocrltic larty to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our countrys trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Callfurnians, we appeal to the whole
people Of California, without distinction ot party
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with US
by our country aud our flag, that all may know
that the great Union Democr tic party of Calitor-
MIA is the overpowerng majority OF her citizens.