Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-13
Platform adopted by the CniGn Demo-
cratic state Convention of 1861

WEEREAs. The Democratic party las ever been
the party ct talty to free government and fratcr-
nal devotion to the rights of the States Of the
Union, and Ot unNayering fidelity 80 the laws the
Constitution, the Union, and the country--readr
To- maintain them BY all proper means and t
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now dufendingi.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excusc; waSed upon it by reasonable coubua-
tons claiming t. represent the people of certain
States claiming t. have seeded from the Union
which is manitesty q war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
National Government The oppression OF lie loyal
States the sItlnIaton of the Union Il war 10
humble in the dust our National hag to wrench
from the American people their constitutional
rights of determining tor themselves their own
policy, iurulgu and domestic, and 10 blot them out
from the class of the great powers Of the world
And whereas such war, 50 aggressive in is
character, and So deadly IN its purposes frces
upon the country an issue which cau be met bUt
in one way by any people having the common in
stinct ct seitprcselr atol, %. worthy Of al exist;
encc as Il nation;
Therefore, be il unanimously resolved by tl.1
Convention,
l. That al this time. when The country is resist.
ing a war OF oppression and destruction, iud fer
cuce is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality ie
CowaTdice, Il not rCtmcditated disloyaltv.
.. That the people of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the hand,
the future; at the same time they are, dJ0Je Gts
things, far tie UNION, the Conntry and the Flag,
against all assalauts--n no matter who they ure
whence they come, ar 1ciH set0t Do9crr Gyme|
3. Thet in this great crisis Of tie American na-
ton and name our STATE vii, always, as hereto
fore faithfully discharge her Constitutional obi.-
CATIONS to the Uron and the Federal Goyern
mcnt, and, as in duty bound, viii earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washington "a
all measures necessary to defend aud protect
either against tbs a.-st uriustaab!e and un-
natural wvr.
L. That in the name Of the loyal people OF Cali
turnia, We demand Of the General Government
by all lis power to project their lives and proper
ty on the hi.h seas, between this coast aud the
Atlantic, from the piratictl Gag which already
threatens injury, aHa aoa.I hApt destruction on
both
3. Tha, Ia the present overwhelming crisis, he
who wouli seek. 10y reyiving past partisan ssues
tu djsract the pee! le, o. t. Wrcst from their hon
est and patrjutic devotion some sOrdid partisan
advantage, is mo- true to the country, nor worthy
the name uian American citizen.
6. That we hold that orr paramount allegiance
is due 10 the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is a dangerous hercSy, ireyIta-
bly, destructive X cur form Of Government
:. ThI. obedience to the constitutional will Of
maj critics Is tie ony safe guard Of Republican
Governments; that we viii uphold the cOustitu-
ted authorities, under all crcums tauces and at all
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in It's
sphere, regardless Of what party inny be in power
8. That Governments are political organiza-
| tons, armed wish cJurcive power, without which
| they cannot exist that it IS not only no assump-
tiuu It authority epun the part Of Governments,
but Their poell@4 .l3 10 exercise such coercive
power, in order ~ naiu,ain themselves against
either iotoign INVASION or domestic rebellion
9, That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion h IS been accomplished, to the ex-
istcnce Of sectional political parties in the cuun-
try, one ioubded upon auti-slArery, the other
pro slavery, both equally ant. Democratic and de-
structve OF the peace, harmony aud prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union DEM
ocratic Jarty TO take a strong conservative posi-
ton IN this the hoGr of our couutry's trial, aud
rallying around oar National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as CaiitOruians, we apre1l to the whole
people Of California, without distinction Of party
or reference to partisan issues, TO stand with Us
by our country aud our Gag, that all may kuoS
Ihat the great Union Democratic party Of Caitol-
MA is the orerpoweIing majority OF her cluHels.