Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-11
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party oiipalty to free government and f5.tor-
nal devotion othe rights oi the States ot the
Union, and Of unwayCrlug fidelity To- ilc laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country read.
to maintain them by all proper mlaus and
every sacrifice;
And whereas, The country + row &, feudueil
self against n war without iusrilc5jau, or deceu.
excuse; wa-ed upon it by trcusui able c1mbua
tons claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming 10 have seeded from the Union
which is manileSly war for the invasion OF
our National Captal for the overthrow ol our
National Government the upplg sion OF ,he loyal
States the subjugatiun of tiic Union a war 10
humble in the dust our National dag; 10 wrench
from the American people their constitutional
rights Of determining FIR themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic and 10 blot them out
from the class the great powers oi the world;
And whereas such war, SO aggressive ~ its
character, and SO deadv in i's purposes f rops
upon the country am Issue which can b. met but
in one way by any people having lhe cuAm.u in
stlnct Of tSeltpreser'ation, or worthy Of an exist
ence a patton;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
1. That at this time. v hen the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, ind.iilr-
ence is impossible to the patriot aud neutrality is
c1Waydice, if not premedated d'~0yaliy.
.. That the people Of California IN the past have
been most anxious for peace thru. hout the iaul,
and will hail with JOY an honorable adjustment DO
the future; az the same time they are, ob0ce all
things, .Ior kte UNION, the Country aud thy lag,
against all assaihnts-uo matter WHO they are,
whence they come mr. ie,M Jebat U11rer alaei
3. That in this great crisis Vi The American uJ-
ton and name our State will always, a, hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obl-
cations to the Union and the Federal GOvern-
ucut, and, as in duty bound, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted auhor.tll- at Washington ID
all measures necessary TO defend and protect
either against this most unjUst!iable and un-
natural war.
A. That in the name Of the loyal people of Cali
rlrnja we dcmaud Of the General Government,
by all its power, to protect their lives and proper
ty ON the high seas, between this coast aud the
Atlantic, from the plratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would inhIct destruction on
both
>. That in the present overwhelming crisis he
who would seek, by reviying past pdrtls issues,
TO distract the peo ie o. to WrCst from their hCn-
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name olan American citizen.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due 20 the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is dangerous h-rysy lleylt4-
blv destructive Of our .Orut Of Governments
Z. That obedience 10 the constitutional will OF
majorhes is the only safeguard OF keru9.can
Governments; that we viii uphold the cons t,tu-
ted autnOliueS, under an cICUnSLllCt~, anu NJ ut
hazards ia maintaining Eederal jurlsd cuou IN Its
sphere, regardless ofwhat party may heiu power
3. That Governments are political organiza-
tons, armed with coerclve power, VthuuJ which
they cannot exist; that it IS not only no assUmp-
ton oi authority upon tie part Of Governments,
but their positive duty 10 exercise such coc'cvc
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
o. That we trace the causes through which the
present robellionhis Teen ac-UmpiIshed t' the cN-
istence Of sectional political parties intle coua-
try, one founded upon anti slavery, tie other
pro slavery, both equally auu Democratic and de-
structive OF the peace, harmony and prosperity ot
the country; that il Is the duty of the Union Dem
-ocrutc Jalty to take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour Of our couutry's trial, and
rallying around our National Flag present an
unbrokcn front 10 all sectional agitation
TO- That as Cah!urniaus we appeal 10 The whole
people of California, withou, distinction Of party
or reference to partisan issues, 10 stand wish Us
by our country and our dae that ali may kpoW
thlt the great Uulon Democratic party of CAlitr-
MIA Is the oyefpowerIng majority Of her ci'iztnS