Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-25
Platform adopted by the Union Demo.
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party ol4ralty to free government and fratcr-
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 it
self against a war without justification, or decent
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable comblna.
tons claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manifestly a war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government; the oppression of the loyal
States ; the subiugation 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 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
stnct OF seIt-preseryation, 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 ind Her
ence IS impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardlce, if not premeditated disloyalty.
.. 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, 0G0rc 0N
MjHgS TOR tile UNION, the Country and the Flag
against all assailants-no matter who they are
whence they come, or 30iM aUhat poacer a17ae2
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, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at WASHINGTON m
a tn haft,p ,,,I 81
either against this most unjustihable 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 pirateal flag which already
threatens injury, and would iuAiot destruction on
both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the people, or to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name Of an American citizen.
s.. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government that the right
of State secession is dangerous h,reSy, ineyta-
bly, destructive of our form of Government.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will of
maj critics is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constiu-
ted authorities under all circumstances and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of What party may be in power
g. That Governments are political organiza-
tions, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that ii is not only no assump-
ton Of authority upon the part Of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coercive
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or 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-savery, the other
pro-slavery both equally aati Democratic and de-
structive OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty of the UuIon Dem
ocratic party 10 take strong conservative posi-
tion III this the hour OF our countrys trial, and
ralying around our National Flag present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation
10. That as CaIiornians, we appeal to the whole
people OF California, without distinctions ut party
or reference to part san issues, to stand with Us
by oar country and our tag that all may know
that tue great Union Demacr,tic party ol CaliJr-
nia Ia The oYerpoNerHg majority % her c,u-tns