Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-27
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever beer
the party fealty to free government and frater
nal devotion to the rights Of the States of the
Union, and OF unwaverng 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 war without Justification or decent
excuse; waged upon it by Reasonable comblna
| tons claiming to represent the people of certair
States claiming to have seeded from the Unior
which IS manlfestly war for the invasion o
our National Capital: for the overthrow of ouI
National Government; the oppression of the loya
States the subjugation of the Union 4; a war ia
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 TO blot them out
from the class fthe great powers of the world
And whereas such war, so aggressive in its
character and so deadly in its purposes, forces
upon the country issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the common in
stnct OF selipreservatlon, Or worthy of an exist
ence as a 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, indiffer-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardice if not premeditated dsloyaty.
2. That the people of California in the past have
DNCh iiipSN ohAOuS lcsiCe throughout lle lunU,
and will hail with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are, aJore all
Things, for the UNION, the Country and the Flag.
against all assallants-nO matter who they are,
whence they come, or eoiM solat goaCer dymed.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always es hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obli-
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern
ment and as in duty bound, viii earnestly sus-
tam the constituted authorities at Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustifabe 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 piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would iniiict destruction on
both.
5. That in the present Overwhelming crisis. he
who would seek, by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the people, o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordd partisan
advantage, is not true to the country nor worthy
the name fan American citizen.
8. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
OF State secession is dangerous heresy inevita-
bly, destructive of our form of Government.
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will of
majorhes is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances, and at all
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless of what party may be in power
s. That Governments are political organiza-
lions, armed with coerclve power without which
they cannot exist; that il 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
g. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished, to the ex-
stence of sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti.slavery, the other
proslavery, 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
ocratic party to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our country's trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Callfornians, 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 Democratic party OF Calitor
mia is ths overpowerinE majority Of her citizens