Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-01
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention Of 1861

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party of fcalty to free government and irater
nal devotion to the rights of the States Of the
Union, AND OF mWavcring Gdety 20 the laws the
Constitution, the Uuiou, and the country-readv
to maintain them by all proper means and at
every sacrifice
And Whereas The country is now defending it.
self against war without iushhcaton or decent
excuse waged upon it by treasonable combna
tions claiming to represent the people nf certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is maniiesilv war for the invasion of
our National Capital for the overthrow Of cur
National GOceFument the oppression O. the loyal
States the subjugaton Of the Dnion war to
| humble in the dust or National flag; to wrench
| from the American people their constitutional
| rights of determining ior themselves ther 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 an issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
sunct Of selt-preServaton, 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 indifer
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardlce if not prcmeditated dSloyalty.
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 ad djustment in
the future; at the same time they are, GJoCe all
Things, for tie UNION the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or 2ctth 3Sh0t p01cey dFE3eI.
g. That in this great crisis Of tie American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore faithfully discharge he? Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment and, as in dGty bound, will earnestly sus-
tam tie constituted Authorities at Washington N
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustifable 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 bigh seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would uAlct destruction on
both.
s. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek. by revvng past partisan issues,
to distract the people, o. to wres from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name ofan American citizen.
6. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Estate secession is dangerous heresy, ireylta-
bly, destructive of our form of Government.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
majorhcs is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the epns:ltu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances, and at all
hazards in minimizing Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere regardless Of what party may be in power.
8. That Governments are political Organza-
tons, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist; that it is not only no assump-
ton Of authority upon tie part Of Governments,
but their positive duty TO exercise such cOerclve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
Q. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex-
istence Of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded apon anti-Slayery, the other
pro-savery, both equally Democratic and de
structive Of the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that tbs the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratc .arty to take strong conservative posi-
tion in this the hour Oi our cnuntry's trial. and
rdlIying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
TO- That as Callturnians, 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 Democr tic party of Calltor-
mia is the overpowering majority other citizens.