Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-09
Platform adopted by the Union Deao-
cratic State Convention Of 1864.


WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party offo!ty 10 free government and flater-
nal devotion TO the rights of the States Of the
Union, and OF unWavering 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 waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tions claiming to represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is mauifestlv a war for the invasion of
our National Capital; for the overthrow Of our
National Government; The oppression Of the loyal
States the subiukadon Of tie 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 ana domestic, and To blot them out
from the class Of the great powers Of the worl1;
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 way by any people having the common in
stnct OF selfpreservaton, or worthy Of an exist
ence as a natlon
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
]. That at this time, when the country is resist
ing war Of oppression and destruction, ndiiIer-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardice, if not premeditated dsloyaty.
2. That the people Of California in the past have
Uecu ltIOHl ibi ltuCc tne Iduu,
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 assaants--no matter who they are,
whence they come. or a0iM aohat poaeer GtBaed.
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.
tam the constituted authorities at Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either agains. this most uniustfable aud TN
natural war.
d. 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
W on the hiIh seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the pratical flag which already
threatens injury, aud would inHct destruction on
both
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
Who would seek, by reviying past partisan issues,
70 distract the peo 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 of an American citizen.
s. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal government that the right
Estate secession is dangerous heresy, inevita-
bly, destructive of our form of Government.
Z. That obedience TO the constitutional viii OF
majorues is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted auflOrlIes NHQHF al ana at all
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere, regardless Of what party may be in power.
8. That Governments are political organiza-
TONS armed with coercive power, without which
they cGunot 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 n order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic rebellion.
8. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished to the ex
isence of sectional political parties in the c0un-
try, one founded upon anti.savery, the other
pro slavery, both equally antl-Democratic and de-
structive of the peace harmony and prosperity Of
the country that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
ocratic .iarty to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our countrys trial, and
rallying around our National Flag present an
unbrokeu front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as CalltUrnlans, we appeal TO the whole
people of California without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues. to stand with US
by our country aud our flag, that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party of Cali4or-
mia is the overpowering majority other citizens.