Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-18
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party of fealty to free government and frater-
nal devotion to the rights of the States of the
Union and of unwavcring fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and at
| every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it.
self against a war without justification, or decent
excuse; wagcd upon it by reasonable combina
tions claiming to represent the people of certain
| States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manestly a war for the invasion Of
| our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subjRgation 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 to 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
stinct of self-preservaton, 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, indifler-
enCe is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardce, if not premeditated dsloyalty.
2. 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, ADORE all
things, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or with aGhat po,yer Grnse1.
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 in
all measures necessary 10 defend and protect
either against this most unjusfable aud un-
natural war.
d. That in the name OF the loyal people of Cali
forna, 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 inflict destruction on
both
5. That in The present overwhelming crisis he
who would seek, by reviving past partisl issues,
to distract the people, or to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sOrdd partisan
advantage, is not true to the country nor worthy
the name oran American citizen.
G. 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
mQorihes is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities under all circumstances and at all
sphere, regardless of what party may be in power.
8. That Governments are political organiza.
tiols, armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist that it is not only 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 OF domestic rebellion.
8. 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-slavery, the other
pro-slavery, both equally antDemocratic and de.
structiye of the peace, harmony and prosperity of
the country; that il 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 Calitornians, 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 the overpowering majority ofher citizens.