Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-31
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party Of t,alty to free government and tlater
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 aud at
every sncriiCe
And whereas. The country is now defending it.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tuns claiming to represent the people Of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is manilestly war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
Shtional Government; Che oppression Of the loyal
States the suhiugatiOn Of the Union Il war to
humble in the dust our National flag; to wrench
from the American people their c0nsutuN nal
rights Of determining for themselves their own
policy, foreign and domestic, and 10 blot them ont
from the class OF the great powers oi the world;
And whereas such war so aggressive IN its
character, and deadly in its purposes forces
upon the country an issue which can be met but
III one way by any people having the common in
stinct of selfpresetvaton, or worthy Of an exist
ence n nation
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
/. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction inlliler-
enoe is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cOwardice, if not premcditatsd 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, d50Ue all
things, for the UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assallautS-n0 matter who they are,
whence they come, or 2c{H What p0treF drMed.
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 Washng gton N
all measures necessary to defend aud protect
either against this most unjusttabe and 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 piratcal flag which already
threatens injury, and would intlict destruction on
both.
s. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek. by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the peoI le o" to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name oian American citizen.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
of State secession is a dangerous heresv irevita-
bly, destructive Of our form Of Government.
T. That obedience to the constitutional viii Of
majorhes is the only safeguard Of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities, underall circumstances, and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power
g. That Governments are political orgauiza-
tons, armed with coercve power without which
they cannot exist that it is not only no asSump-
ton Of authority upon the part Of Governments
but their positive duty to exercise such coerclve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic ebelon.
9. 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 ant.slavery, the other
proslavery, both equally antiDemncratic and de-
structve OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratlc arty to take strong conservative posi-.
ton in this the hour 0i our countrys trial, and
raIlying around National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agltation
10. That as Calliornians, 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 Democr tic party of Caitor-
MIA is the overpowering majority other citizens.