Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-14
1tlIv 3lationaI 0rmufrat
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic PARTY has ever been
The party of ealty to free government aud frater.
nal devotion 10 the rights of the States Of the
Union, and of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the country-ready
TO mIintain them by all proper means aud at
every sacrifice
And whereas. The country is now defending it.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse waged upon it by reasonable combna-
tons claiming TO represent the people of certain
States claiming ~ have seeded from the Union
which is manifsstv war for the invasion Of
our Nations Capital: for the overthrow Of our
National Government the oppression of the 10y al
States the subjugation of the Union a war 10
humble in the dust National flag 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 50 deadly in its purposes, frees
upon the country Issue which can be met but
in one way by any people having the comm,n in
stnct of seipreservatlou, or worthy of an exist
euce as nation
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l. That at this time when the country is resist
ing a war of oppression aud de>trucii0n indiffer-
ence is impossible to the patriot, and neutrality is
cowardce if not premedtated dIs0yaIty.
o That the people Of California in the past have
been most anxious for peace thruug hOut the land,
aud will hni with joy an honorable adjustment in
the future; at the same time they are dboce aIi
things for Tie UNION, the Country and the lag,
against all assalants no matter who they are,
whence they come. or 1CiM pbat p0l0er ag7nel.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State will always, as hereto
fore, faithfully discharge her Constitutional ob-
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 to defend and protect
eith
natural war.
l. 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 pratical Gag which already
threatens injury, and would iu1ct destruction on
both.
5. That in the present overwhelming crisis, h.
who would seek. by reviving past partisan ISSUES
10 distract the peoI lie, o. to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name olan American citizen.
8. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
of State secession is dangerous heresy. nevita-
by destructive Of our form of Government.
7. That obedience to the constitutional will of
riajoriheS is the only safeguard OF Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the c0nsttu-
ted authorities under all circumstances, aud at all
hazards in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
spDefP. rcEaTNlcsS Nl WHdl party may Uc III puNtl
8. That Governments are political organlza
tons armed with coercive power, without which
they cannot exist; that it is not only 10 assump
ton Of authority upon the part of Governments,
but their positive duty to exercise such coerolve
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign invasion or domestic rebellion.
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 antl,slavery, the other
pro.savery, both equally antDemocratic and de
structive OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country; that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
Ocratic ,larty to take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our country's trial, and
ralying around our National Flag present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That as Calfurnians, 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 Call.ur
mia is the overpowering majority OF her citizens