Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-17
Platform adopted by the Union Demo.
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party OF iealty 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 il
self against war without justification, or decen.
| excuse waged upon it by reasonable cumbiu;.
tons claiming to represent the people of ccrtair
States claiming to have seeded from the Uniol
which is manitestly a war for the invasion 0
! our National Capital: for the overthrow of ou
| National Government the oppression of the Iowa
| States the subiugation of the Union a war t,
humble in the dust our National aar; TO wrench
! from the American people their constitutional
rights of determining for themselves their own
policy foreign and domestic, and 10 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
stlnct OF seliproseryatiOn, or worthy of an exist
ence as Il 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, indiilcr-
euCe is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowaIdce, if not premeditated dlsoyalty.
9 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, Qboce al
W'Hgs, for tie UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assaiants-no matter who they are
whence they come, ar acM aelat polcer a3Ued
g. That in this great crisis Of the American ma.
ton and name our state will always, as hereto.
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional obi
cations to the Union and the Federal Govern.
ment, and, as in duty bound, viii earnestly sus
tain the constituted authorities ut Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
either against this most unjustilable and un
natural war.
4. That in the name Of the loyal people of Cali
forna, we demand Of the General Government
by all It's 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 intiIct destruction on
both.
s. That in the present Overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reyiving past partisan issues
to distract the peol le o. to wrest from their hon.
est and patriotic devotion some sordd partisan
advantage, is not true to the country nor worthy
the name ofan American citizen.
9. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the ripht
of State secession is dangerous hereSy inevita.
bly, destructive of our form Of Government
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
maiorihes is the only safeguard Of Republcan
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-
tlons armed with coerciye power without which
they cannot exist; that it is not only no assunp.
tion 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.
.. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellion has been accomplished to the ex
istence Of sectional political parties in the couu
try, one founded upon anti slavery, the other
proSayery, both equally anti Democratic and de
structire o' the peace, harmony and prosperity O.
the country; that It Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocralc larty TO take a strong conservative pos
ton in this the hour of our couutrvs trial. and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Cahlornians, 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
hat tie great Union Democritic party Of CaIflr
MIA Is the oveipowcrlng malorlt, OF her citizens.