Daily national Democrat., 1861-09-01
Platform adopted by the Union Demo.
cratic State Convention of 1861.

WHEREAS, The Democratic party has ever been
The party OF eHlty to free government and fIater-
nal devotion 10 the rights of the States of the
Union, and of unwavering fidelity to the laws, the
Constitution, the Union, and the cuuntry-ready
to maintain them by all proper means and at
every sacrifice
And whereas, The country is now defending it.
self against war without Justification, or decent
excuse; waged upon it by reasonable combina-
tons claiming TO represent the people of certain
States claiming to have seeded from the Union
which is maniestly war for the invasion Of
our National Capital: for the overthrow Of our
National Government; the oppression of the loyal
States the suhjugation 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 10 blot them out
from the class otthe great powers of the world;
And whereas such war, SO aggressive IN its
character, aud 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
stinc of self-prcseryation, or worthy OF an exist
/ ence as a nation;
Therefore, be it unanimously resolved by this
/ Convention,
l. That az this time. when the country is resist.
! ing war of oppression and destruction indiffer-
enCe is imposs Bile to the patriot and neutrality is
cowardice, if not premeditated dsloyalty.
2. That the people OF California in the past have
been most anxious for peace throughout the land
the future; at the same time they are, dbooe all
MiRgs, far tie UNION, the Country and the Flag
against all assailants--nO matter who they are,
whence they come. ar aoiH aDhdt pogCer drmed.
3. That in this great crisis of the American ma
ton and name our State viii 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-
tain the constituted authorities Mt Washington in
all measures necessary to defend and protect
ptI tIpr inst ull Ia Nd
natural war.
4. That in the name of the loyai people of Cali
furnia, we demand Of the General Government
by all its power, To protect their lives and proper
tv on the iIh seas between this coast and the
Atlantic, from the piratical flag which already
threatens injury and would iufict destruction on
both.
3. That in the present overwhelming crisis, he
who would seek, by reviving past partisl issues
to distract the people or to wrest from their hon
est and patriotic devotion some sordid partisan
advantage, is not true to the country, nor worthy
the name fan American citizen.
g. That we hold that paramount allegiance
is due to the Federal Government; that the right
Of State secession is Il dangerous heresy, ineyita-
bly, destructive of our form of Government
Z. That obedience to the constitutional will Of
majorihes is the oaly safeguard Of Republican
Governments; that we will uphold the constitu-
ted authorities, under all circumstances and at all
hazards, in maintaining Federal jurisdiction in its
sphere regardless Ol what party may be IN power.
s. That G0verpments are political organiZa-
tons, armed With coercive 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 rebellion.
Q. That we trace the causes through which the
present rebellionh has been accomplished to the ex-
istence OF sectional political parties in the coun-
try, one founded upon anti slavery, the other
pro-savery, both equally anti. Democratic and de-
structve OF the peace, harmony and prosperity Of
the country that it Is the duty of the Union Dem
ocrlte lsrty TO take strong conservative posi-
ton in this the hour of our couutry's trial, and
rallying around our National Flag, present an
unbroken front to all sectional agitation.
10, That as Cahiornians 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 Democratic party Of Califor-
MIA is the overpowering majority Of her citizens.