Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-26
Platform adUpted by the Union Demo-
cratic state Convention Of 1857

WHEREAS, The Democratic party las ever be- N
the party OF atty to free government aud tratcr.
nal devotion 10 the rights of the States Of lhe
Union, and Of unwayering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the UnOu, and the country ready
to maintain them by all proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is now defending it.
/ self against a war without justification, or decent
| excuse; waged upon it 10y treasonable comb ma
| tiuns claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seeded from The Union
which is mauitestlv for the invasion Of
| our National Capital: for the overthrow OF our
/ National Government the oppression ofthe loyal
! States the subjugati0n of the Union "A war to
humble in the dust our National flag; to wrench
from the American people .heir constitutional
rights of determining for themselves their own
p0iicy foreign and domestic. and 10 blot them out
from the class Of the great powers Of th- world
And whereas srch war so aggressive IN its
character, and so deadly in its purposes, forces
upon the country an Issue which can be met but
Ia one way by any people having the common in
stnct OF sclfpreservatlon, or worthy of an exist
ence AS n nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, indher
is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality Is
cowaI ice, if not pTemedtHted dlsloyalty.
2. That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious peace Throughout the land,
aud will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, d50re 0kE
Mings, for tie UNION, the Country aud the lag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come. or e1iM e0tat p0loer dinae%.
8. That in this great crisis of the American ma
tion aud name our State will always ~ hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obll.
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment, and, in duty bound, will eaTuestlr sns-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington IN
all measures necessary to defeud and protect
either against this most unjustlable aud un-
natural war.
A. That in the name OF the loyal people of Cali
fIrnia, we demand Of the General Government.
by all its power, to protect their lives and proper
~ on the hlh seas, between tins coast aud the
Atlantic from the piratical flag which already
Threatens injury, aud would intict destruction ON
both.
,. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reyiving past partisan ssuas,
to distract the peo Ie o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordd partisan
advantage, 10 not true To the country, nor worthy
the name ota an American citizen.
6. That we bold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
If state secession ls dangerous hrreSy, iueyitu-
bly, destructive Of our iOrm Of Government
7. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
majOrues is the only Safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the cousttn-
ted authorities, Underall circumstances and at an
sphere regardless Of what party mny be in power.
s. That Governments are political orgauizl-
tions, armed with cocrcive power without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no ussump-
ton nt authority upon the part Of Governments
but ther positive duty 10 exercise such coerclve
power, IN order to maintain themselves against
either ioegn invasion Or domestic rebellion.
9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex-
lStence Of sectional political parties in the colln-
try, one founded upon aut-s'ayery, the other
pro slavery, 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
ncrItC .arty 10 take strong conservative posi-
tion III this the hour Of our cOuntrys trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front 10 all sectional agitation.
10 That CAlfurnians, 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 Deinucr tic party of Califor
MIA is the overpowering majority fher citizens.