Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-04
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic state Convention of 1861

/ WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
/ the party Of ealty 10 free government and frater
/ nal devotion to .he rights ut the States of the
Union, and Of uuwaveriug fidelity to the laws the
Constitution, the Union, and the country-ready
10 r7auaia them By all proper means and a:
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending il
lfagain1t q war without justification, or decent
excuse; weged upon it by reasonable combna-
tiuus claiming 20 represent the people of certain
States claiming TO have seeded from the Union
which is Wauicstiy war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for The overthrow Of our
NationaI Government; the oppression of the loyal
;, ,,1teS the subjngalan Of the Union a war to
almhie in the dust our National Rag 70 wrench
from the American people their constitutional
rzhts Of determining for themselves their own
policy ,orlj-u and domestic and 10 blot them out
from the class % 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
stmct of sclfpreserv"ton, or worthy OF an exist
eucc Hs a nation
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention.
J. That al this time. when the country is resist
ing war of oppression and destruction, indffer-
euce is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality 10
cowardice, if not premcditatcd dlsloyalty.
/ .. That the people Of California in the past have
! been most anxious for peace throughout the land,
/ ana VIII nan With 10Y IN honorable adjustment IN
tle future; at lle same time they are, oboge all
/ Hjnus Jp, tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
/ against all assailauts--uo matter who ihey are
whence they come, o,' 1Ht 1etot poacTr o'1ae1
9. That in this great crisis Of the American us-
ton aud name our State Hitl ALWAYS as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
/ CATIONS to the Onion and the Federal GOvera-
. meut, and as ia duty bound, viii earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington IN
all measures necessary TO deiaud and protect
either agana. This rios: uniusuhaAIe and un-
natural war.
g. That io e., name Of the loyel people Of Cali
iurnia 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 piratcal flag which already
thr injury and would ufct destruction on
both.
3. Taai in ,he present Overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek. by revivinC past partisa ISSUES,
10 distract the proI le o. 70 wrest from their hon
est ard patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage is not true to the country, nor worthy
/ the nam" oi an American cti7cn.
g. That we hold that orr paramount allegiance
/ is due to the Fedora! Government; that the right
at State secession i9 dangerous heTcsy, inevlta-
by destructive Of our form ofGovcrument
p. That obedience TO the constitutional will Of
naiorues is the only safeguard oc Republican
Governments; that We will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities under all circumstances, and at ali
hazards, in maintaining Federal Jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power
/ S. That Governments are political organiza-
tions, armed with coerclve powor, without which
/ they cannot exist that it is not only no assump-
tiou Of authority upon the part of Governments,
| but their positive jI,y 70 exercise such coercive
power in order tc maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
g. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex
istcnce o. sectional political parties in the cOun-
! try, one founded upon anti.slavery, the other
pro-slsyery, both equally auttDemocratc and de-
structi-e OF the peace harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocrltc Jarty to take strong conservative posi-
.. ton in This :be hour &c our country's trial and
! raIlying arornd our National Flag, present an
4 uubrokcn front 70 ~ sectional agitation.
t1. That as talllurnians, we appeal TO the whole
people Gf California, without distinction of party
or reference to PARTISAN issues, TO stand with us
/ by our country and our Gag, that all may know
;hat the great Uuion Democratic party of Calit0r-
/ MIA is Che cye-powapng majority fher citizens.