Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-07
Platform adopted by the Union Do2o-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the porty ott-alty 10 free government and frater-
nal devotion tothe rights of the States Of the
Union, and Of unwavcrng fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Unon and the country-rcady
to maintain them By all proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending IT,
self against n war without justification, or 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 manfcstly war for the invasion Of
our National Capital for the overthrow Of our
National Government; .he oppression Of the loyal
States ; the subiUgation Of the Union war to
humble in the dust our National dag; to wrench
from the American people their conGtltgtoual
rights of determining for themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic, and 10 blot them ont
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
stinct of fsefprcseryatlon, or worthy of an exist
ence a nation
Therefore, be il unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war of oppression and destruction, ndiifer-
ence is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardcc if not premedtated disloyaltY.
2. 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, dJ0re all
things, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assaIlan.s--no matter who they are,
whence they come, Gr 2riH 1'h0tfD2ser dJy21e1
3. That in ths great crisis Of the American ma
zion and name or State will always, as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union aad the Federal Govern
mant, and as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washington IN
al measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most uniustIfable 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 piracal flag which already
threatens injury, and would inHlct destruction on
both.
5. That n The present Overwhelming crisis, be
who would seek, by revivng past partisan issu0s
to distract the people o. to wrcst from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name ofan American citizen.
g. That we hold chat our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is dangerous heresy, lneylta-
oily destructive of our form Of Government
7. That obedience to the constitutional viii OF
maioriues is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments that we will uphold the constitn.
ted authorities under all circumstances, and az ali
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power
8. That Governments are political organiza
tions armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no assump-
tion Of authority upon the part Of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coercIye
power, in order TO maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
.. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex
stence of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti-slavery the other
pro slavery, both equally antl-Democratic and de-
structive Of the peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
ocratic ,iarty to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our country's trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front 10 all sectional agitation
10. That as Calfornians 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 Democri tic party Of Caliior
mia is the oyerpowering majority other citizens.