Daily national Democrat. [volume] (Marysville, Calif.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-18
Platform adopted by the Union Demo-
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
the party offealty to free government and frater-
nal devotion the rights of the States of the
Union, and of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution the Union, and the eountry-readv
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 manitestly war for the invasion of
our National Capital: for the overthrow of our
National Government the oppression of the loyal
States the subugation Of the 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 and domestic, and TO blot them out
from the class otthe 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
stnct of selfpteseryatiOn, or worthy of an exist
ence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
Convention,
l.. That at this time. when the country is resist
ing a war of oppression and destruction, ndfcr-
ence is impossible to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardice if not premeditated disloyaty.
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, ADORE aU
thiRqs for the UNION, the Country and the Flag,
against all assailants-no matter who they are,
whence they come, or 1rM Wbdt po1reF drmae1.
8. 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, will earnestly sus-
tain the constituted authorities at Washington in
III ~ nd tact
either against this most unjustiiiable and un-
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
tv on the high seas, between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratical flag which already
threatens injury, and would iufct destruction on
both.
s. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek by reviving past partisan issues,
to distract the people, or to wres 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.
g. That we hold that our paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government that the right
of State secession is a dangerous hcresy inevia-
bly, destructive of our form Of Government
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will of
majorihes is the only safeguard of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the cOnStiu-
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-
lions, armed with cOerclve 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 coercive
power, in order to maintain themselves against
either foreign INVASION or domestic Iebellion.
9. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellionhas been accomplished to the ex-
try, one founded upon anti-slavery, the other
pro-slavery both equally anti-Democratic and de
the country; that it Is the duty Of the Union Dem
ocratic l,arty TO take a strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our country's trial. and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10. That MS Caiornians, we appeal to the whole
people OF California, without distinction of party
or reference to partisan issues, to stand with IL
by our country and our flag, that all may know
that the great Union Democratic party of Calilor
mia is the empowering majority other citizens