Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-12
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF tealty 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 Union, and the country-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending il
self against war without Justification, or decen.
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combina.
tons claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manltestlv war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subjugation of the Union a war 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, forces
upon the country an Issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stlnct of seltpreseryation, 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 war of oppression and destruction, indiffer-
ence is impossible t. the patriot and neutrality is
cowardce, if not premeditated disloyalty
2. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
the fut,se at the same time they are, ADORE all
MjHgs, for the UNION, the Country and the lag
against all assailants-nO matter who they are
whence they come, Or aoith i0Adt godOsr armed.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma,
ton and 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 m
all measures necessary to defend and protect
L.
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 pratica flag which already
threatens injury, ind you'd iuhist destruction on
both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek by reviving past parrish issues,
to distract the peoI lie, o- to wrest from their hon.
est aud patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name Of an 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, inevita-
bly, destructive Of our form Of Government.
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will OF
| majurites is the only safe guard 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 are political organiza-
| tons, armed with coercive power, without which
| they cannot exist that it is not only 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 domestic rebellion.
9. 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 upon anti-slavery, the other
proslavery, both equally anti Democratic and de-
structGe OF the peace harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty o: the Union Dem
ocratlc ,'arty to take strong conservative posi-
ton IN this The hour Of our countrys trial, and
rAllying around our National Flag, present an
unbrokcn front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Cahfornans, we appeal to the whole
people of California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, TO stand with
by our country and our flag, that all may know
that the great Union Democr tic party Of Caitor-
mia is the overpowering majority Of her citizens.