The Shasta courier., 1861-07-27
Platform Adopted by the Union Democratic
State Convention of 1851.

WHEREAs, The Democratic party has ever been
the party Of fealy to free Government and raterna
devotion to the rights of the States of the Union
and Of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the Consti-
tuition, the Union and the country, ready to main
tain them by all proper means and At every sacri-
fee; and whereas, The country is now defending
itself against without justification or decent
excuse, waged upon it by certain States claiming
to have seeded from the Union, which is mani
festly war for the invasion of our National Capt.
tai, for the overthrow Of our National Government
the oppression of the loyal States the subjugation
of the Unon-a war to humble in the dust our Ma
tional fag-to wrench from the American people
their constitutional rights of determining for them
selves 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, aggressive
in its character, and deadly in its purposes,
forces upon the country an issue which can be met
but in one way by any people having the common
instinct of self-preseryation worthy of exist
enee as q nation; therefore, be it unanimously re-
solved by this Convention,
l. That, at this time when the country is resist
ing war of invasion and destruction, indifference
is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
ardice, if not premeditated 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 above all
things for the Union, the country and the flag,
against all assailants, matter who they are,
whence they come, or with what power armed.
3. That, in this great crisis of the American Ma
ton and name, State will always heretofore,
faithfully discharge her constitutional obligations
= The Uric, and the Federal Government and. a.
duty bound will earnestly sustain the constituted
authorities at Washington in all measures necessary
to defend andprotec either against this most unjus
tifdble and unnatural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people Of the
State of California We demand of the General Gov
tfs IN fhair livas md
property on the high seas, between this coast and
the Atlantic, from the pratical flag which already
threatens injury and would infict destruction on
both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis he
who would seek, by revng past partizan issues to
distract the people, or to wrest from their honest
and patriotic devotion sordid partisan advan-
tage, is not true to the country worthy of the
name of an American citizen.
s. That we hold our paramount allegiance is due
to the Federal Government; that the right of State
secession is dangerous heresy. inevitably destruc
tive of our form Of Government.
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will of
maorities is the only safeguard of republican Gov
ernmcnts; that we will uphold the constituted au-
thorites, under all circumstances and at all haz-
ards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless of what party may be in power.
.. That Governments are political organizations
armed with coercive power, without which they
cannot exist. That it is not only assumption of
authority upon the part of Governments, but their
positive duty, to exercise such cocrcivc power in
order to maintain themselves against either foreign
invasion or domestic rebellion.
9, That We trace the through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished to the ex-
istence ofsectiona political parties in the country
one, founded upon anti-slavery, the other pro-sla
very-both equally anti Democratic and destructive
Of the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the coun-
try; that it is the duty of the Union Democratic
party to take strong conservative position in this
the hour of our countrys trial. and rallying around
our national flag, present unbroken front to all
sectional agitation.
10. That as Calfornians we appeal to the whole
people of California, without distinction of party,
reference to partisan issues to stand with by
country and flag, that all may know that the
great Union Democratic party of California is the
| overpowering majority of her citizens.