Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-31
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic state Convention Of 1861.

WHr8fAs, The Democratic party has ever been
the party o! ally % free government aud fraier-
nal devotion to the rights of the State. uf the
Union, and oi UnvavoruC Gdcljty 90 tle laws the
Constitution, the Union and the country ready
To- mtnlan them Ly all proper ueaus aud at
every sacrifice;
And whcre,ts, The country is uow Offending It.
sell against a War without Justification, or decent
excusc. raped upon it by TIRE. -uuahle cumbua.
tious claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming tn have seeded from the Uui1n
which is UlInli'silv q war for the invasion of
our National Capital: ftr he overthrow Of our
National Government; toe oppression Of the loyal
states the sahiu4tiDn Of the Union % war tp
huwl., iu the dust our National Gag; To wrench
from the American Pc pie their ooastiui.. nal
rights OF determining for themselves Their own
policy !areiL iLn and domestic, and Iu blot them out
from the class ot the great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, SO aggressive m it's
chaluctgr, aud 500 deadly in its purposes, rCcs
upon the country an issue which can be met but
IN one way by any people having the commcn in
sunct oi SELF preservation, or worthy ot an exist
Therefore, be il unanimously resolved ty ibis
Convention,
]. That az this dime, VIXEN the country is resist
ing NW OF oppression aad destruction, iudilcr-
euoc is impossible to the patriot. and neutrality is
coWar1lce, If not promudiated dl-lovultv.
.. That the people Of California iu the Past have
boon most onXlous for peace throughout the land,
and wi.l hali with joy au honorable adjustment in
/ tNe future; at the .anc time they are, GJOrf all
/ M}"4S n" ne UNtoN, the Country and the Flag,
! against all usslilauts--uo matter who they are,
/ "brta" they come, 0r Uit5 ,edoi poleet athjed.
| 9. That Ia th.s great crisis Of the American ma
| tiou and name oar State will always, rs hereto
fore faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Uuou and the Federal Govern
ment, aud, rs in duty bound, viii earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington n
all f.sfaI
either against this most unjustidable aud uu-
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people Of Cali
f1rnla, we demand Of the General Government,
by all us power To protect their lives and proper
ty on the hi-h seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pratical Gag which already
threatens injury, and would infilct destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, be
who would seek, by reYving past partisan issnas
to distract The peni e, o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriu.lc devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the uame otan American citizen.
6. That we todd that our paramount allegiance
Is due 10 the Federal G ryerumeut; that the right
If State secession IL a dangerous here,y, ireyita-
bly, destructive Of our Iorm Of GoYprument
Z. That obedience TO the constitutional viii Of
majorIu,s i, the only safe guard of Repubiican
Governments; that we Will uphold the cbustW-
ted authorities, under al crcun,tness and at All
hazards, IN maintaining Federal jurisdiction in Us
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power
8. That Governments are political organzi-
uons, armed with coeFcive power, without which
they cannot exist; that it is not only no assunp-
ton ofauthorty upon the part of Governments,
but Their positive dcty 10 exercise such cOercve
power, ID order to maintain themselves agaiast
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
.. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished TO the ex-
istence Of sectional political parties ia the couu-
try, one founded upon Hutsl8yery the other
pro slavery, both equally ant.Democratic and Ge-
sirocure OF the pence, harmony aud prosperity Of
the country; that it is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocrItc party to take "A strong conservative posi-
ton m this the hour ofour c0untry's trial, and
rA'bing around our National Flag present an
uubrokeu front TO all sectional agitation.
10. That as Calitoruians, we appeal TO the whole
people oi California, without distinction Of party
or reference TO partisan issues, To 9tand with Us
10y our country and oar llug, that all may know
,hal the great Union Deupcr tic party Of Caltar-
MA is The overpowcriag m4.uri,y Of her citizens.